Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 892 | 01 August 2025

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Getting 'earned progression' right

This week's guest blog, "Getting 'earned progression' right" explores the challenges and potential of the proposed Earned Progression (EP) model in prisons. Jon Collins, Chief Executive of the Prisoners' Education Trust reflects on the benefits of participating in prison education, as well as the barriers to participation, and how education could play a role in earned progression. 

The blog calls for the Ministry of Justice to invest in prison regimes so that there is the capacity for people to participate in education and other purposeful activity. It also calls for greater collaboration between the prison service and the voluntary sector. 

CLINKS NEWS: Clinks Families Network: The story so far

Clinks has published a new blog - Clinks Families' Network - the story so far - highlighting the development and impact of the Clinks Families' Network since its inception in 2023. The network brings together voluntary organisations supporting the families of people in prison, providing a space to share good practice, build relationships, and influence policy.

Diane Curry OBE, Clinks' new Families' Network Coordinator, details the network's growth, from its early listening exercises to hosting regular meetings and thematic discussions, and sets out the current avenues for influencing statutory stakeholders.

CLINKS NEWS: What do we mean by co-curated?

In a guest blog, published today, David Kendall, founder of "Penned Up", explores what it means to be co-curated in a prison setting: What do we mean by co-curated?

Drawing on first-hand experience of working in prisons, the blog reflects on the value of meaningful collaboration with people serving a custodial sentence. 

The piece challenges tokenistic engagement and encourages organisations to embed shared decision-making in design, delivery and governance. It also explores the tensions and opportunities of co-curation, offering insights on how to do it well, respectfully and effectively. 

CLINK NEWS: Join our small organisations 'network' 

 We are holding the first session of a new, small organisations 'network' for voluntary organisations with an annual turnover of £250,000 or below [17 September, 10:30 - 12:00, online, free].

This is an opportunity for small, voluntary organisations to share any concerns, highlight challenges and platform any innovative work. The session is being convened by Clinks, alongside the new small organisations seat holder for the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3), David Dunn (Founder, Release Mates). 

The meeting will also enable organisations to speak with Clinks’ Area Engagement Team to understand the support that we offer.

Please contact lisa.strelnikova@clinks.org if your organisation is interested in attending this meeting. 

CLINKS EVENT: a Whole Systems Approach (WSA) for women

To support the priorities of the Women's Justice Board, and the accompanying Partnership Delivery Group, the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) is convening a 2025-26 Special Interest Group (SIG) on implementing a Whole Systems Approach (WSA) for women in contact with the criminal justice system.

The group will gather evidence on how best to deliver this through Clinks’ Women's Network Forum meetings and standalone SIG sessions. Member organisations are invited to support an evidence gathering session [17 September, 14:00 - 16:00, online, free].

Work will include developing the evidence base, exploring the benefits of co-commissioning, and highlighting areas of best practice. It will also explore how WSAs can facilitate earlier intervention by diverting women away from the criminal justice system. The final output will be a set of recommendations that can inform the implementation of effective WSAs. Places are limited to people with relevant experience and knowledge.

If you have expertise to share and would like to attend the event, please complete this Expression of Interest.

MEMBER FOCUS: Black Country Women's Aid

Black Country Women's Aid (formerly known as Sandwell Women's Aid) is an independent charity which has supported survivors of abuse and exploitation in the West Midlands for 30 years. 

Their sensitive and holistic support helps over 8000 victims of abuse each year to escape from violence, cope with trauma and rebuild their lives. They believe that no one should have to live in fear of violence and abuse.

Their domestic abuse refuge and community services hold the Women's Aid National Quality Standards. They hold the Limeculture Quality Standards for their sexual violence services for adults and children (ISVA and CHISVA), and for their "Ask Marc" project supporting men and boys.

BCWA won Investors in People’s One to Watch Award and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year in 2015. BCWA was nominated for a Human Trafficking Foundation Award in 2017 for their outstanding contribution to the fight against modern slavery. Find out more about Black Country Women’s Aid

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Physically active learning

NHS Health & Justice NW have been supporting Run For Your Life CIC for the last 3 years to work in 3 prisons in the NorthWest delivering a unique program that has staff, senior leaders and men serving sentences participating together.

This work, "Physically Active Learning In Prison: A Bridge Between The Bars" was cited by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons in their autumn 2024 report on HMP Manchester as one of only two examples there of 'notable positive practice.'

Alliance of Sport recently interviewed Founder Andy Mouncey about this work after prison photographer Andy Aitchison had spent a day capturing some rare images of the program in progress at HMP Hindley. View images of the programme here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: A masterclass in meaningful leadership

This is an invitation to anyone who's lived through adversity and thought: “This has to mean something.” Breakthrough Social Enterprise is delivering 'Story into Strategy: A Masterclass in Meaningful Leadership' [8 August, 12:00, online, free].

Delivered by our CEO Sobanan Narenthiran, this session is designed specifically for people with lived experiences - individuals who are ready to lead, but may not yet have the tools, strategy, or confidence to step into that power.

At Breakthrough, we believe leadership doesn't start with perfection. It starts with story.

This 60-minute session will show you how to:

  • Transform your lived experience into a powerful personal brand
  • Build a message that connects, inspires, and opens doors
  • Lead with confidence — not despite your past, but because of it

Register for your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Supporting women convicted in court

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) would like to offer free online information sessions to charities and organisations that support Women convicted in a criminal or magistrates court [11 August, 13:00 & 13 August, 11:00, online, free]

The CCRC is an independent public body set up to review alleged miscarriages of justice. We are the statutory body created by the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 and are funded by the Ministry of Justice.

The purpose of these sessions is so charities and volunteer groups can confidently know when to signpost the CCRC’s free service, and to give volunteer groups an opportunity to ask the CCRC any questions. If you are interested in one of the CCRC’s free online sessions, please email the CCRC at outreach@ccrc.gov.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Advising people who have a conviction

Clinks members are on the frontline of mentoring socially excluded people, many of whom will have criminal record. It won't always be obvious who has a conviction and the specialist support they can access when identified. If you're new to the Criminal Justice Sector or want a refresher, join our upcoming course on how to best Identify, Support and Advocate for those who deserve another chance [12 August, 09:15 - 10:00, online, free]. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Prisoners and welfare benefits

This course, by Society Matters CIC, delves into the unique hurdles faced by prisoners with a variety of sentence types, exploring their implications on benefits and housing [19 August, 9:00 - 16:00, £139 + VAT]. Real-life case studies, interactive quizzes, and seasoned trainers are all utilised to impart the best practices for navigating this complex system. Book your place

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Your roadmap to confident compliance and competitive bidding

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is delivering an exclusive provider session on the Procurement Act 2023 [19 August, 10:00 – 11:30, online, free]. This is your roadmap to confident compliance and competitive bidding. It will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to confidently navigate the changes that were introduced in February 2025, by providing some baseline knowledge. The event will cover:

  • Overview of the procurement Act 2023
  • What’s changed for providers
  • What you need to do now
  • Opportunities

Please note that this session will be recorded for those unable to attend. Follow this link to register your place

FUNDING: The Drapers' Charitable Fund

The Drapers’ Charitable Fund provide grants to improve the quality of life and aspirations of people and communities, particularly those who are socially excluded or disadvantaged. They give most of their grants to charities in Greater London for projects in education and social welfare, a key area of focus is the support of prisoners.

Their committee meets 5 times a year and applications will normally be considered at the next meeting [30 September] following submission, provided they are received at least four weeks prior to the date of the meeting. This is dependent on the number of applications received, consideration at a particular meeting cannot be guaranteed. There is no minimum or maximum grant, grants are normally [up to £25,000] but larger grants may be awarded.

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Senior Caseworker with St Giles Trust [£30,000, Kensington & Chelsea, part time]; Community Employment Adviser with Achieve [£26,485 – £30,012, Merseyside, full time]; Business and Systems Coordinator with Achieve [£23,567 – £24,837, Liverpool L2 3YL, full time]; Training Facilitator with Social Interest Group [£30,900, N1 1TY, full time]; Substance Use Practitioner with Phoenix Futures [£24,750, Norfolk, full time]; Community Keyworker Hammersmith with ADVANCE [£26,000 – £32,000, Hammersmith, full time]; Outreach Support Worker 25/40 with Imagine Independence [£10,184, Liverpool, part time]; Employment Advisor with Offploy CIC [£26,000 – £27,000, Southampton, full time]; Women’s Wellbeing Coach (Ref: WWC-254) with St Giles Trust [£23,300, HMP Peterborough and Cambridgeshire, full time]; Prison Accommodation Adviser (Ref: PAA-254) with St Giles Trust [£23,300, Community/HMP Leeds, full time].

For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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