Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 895 | 22 August 2025

Light lunch

In this issue...

MEMBER FOCUS: Women Acting in Today's Society (W.A.I.T.S)

W.A.I.T.S support women, on a one-to-one basis, to address issues relating to benefits, resettlement/housing, domestic abuse, isolation, physical and mental health, crime, the fear of crime and much more. The support W.A.I.T.S provides is not time-bound, meaning ongoing support is available for as long as it is needed.

W.A.I.T.S works with partner agencies to provide holistic support, ensuring that all of the individual’s needs are met. They also directly support women with the following services:

  • The Domestic Abuse Service 
  • The Community Integration Project (CIP)
  • Women’s Refuge 

Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: The Fatal Question

Saatchi & Saatchi and StreetDoctors expose the deadly myth of ‘safe’ stabbings in new campaign - The Fatal Question. The campaign tackles the dangerous misconception that it’s possible to stab someone without risking their life.

Teenagers from London schools were invited to engage with a life-sized, interactive human sculpture, pointing to areas of the body where they believed a stab wound would not be fatal - revealing the widespread misconceptions at the heart of the campaign.

Martin Tilbury MBE, CEO of StreetDoctors said, “At StreetDoctors, we work with young people every day who are navigating complex realities where fear and misinformation can shape dangerous decisions. The question, ‘where is a safe place to stab someone?’ is often asked out of confusion and worry by young people. The campaign is about supporting young people in their environment and providing them with informed information. Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent street violence and this campaign is helping young people make the right life changing choices." Find out more about The Fatal Question

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Kate Lee OBE appointed CEO of NCVO

NCVO is delighted to announce the appointment of Kate Lee OBE as their CEO.

Recognised with an OBE in 2024 for her outstanding services to the voluntary sector, Kate was most recently CEO of the Alzheimer’s Society. Kate brings a wealth of leadership experience from across the charity and voluntary sector, with a proven track record of driving positive change, championing communities, and amplifying the voices of those who need to be heard most.

You can read more about the appointment on their website.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: women’s experiences of criminal appeals 

APPEAL is conducting focus groups as part of an important independent research project exploring women’s experiences of navigating the criminal appeals system [27 August, London and online]. They are looking to speak to women willing to share their experiences who:

• Were convicted in a court in England and Wales in the past decade
• Maintain they are not guilty of the crime
• Are not in prison

APPEAL want to hear about their experiences of what they may have found easy or more challenging when considering an appeal, and/or applying to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. APPEAL want to learn about the problems these women have faced to help them develop a guide to appeal processes, specifically for women.

Travel expenses can be covered for those attending in person, and refreshments will be available.

If you are interested - or know someone who might be - please complete or share this short form or email mail@appeal.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Call for Collaborators – Cultural Change across Wales

Transform Your Training is leading a four-year Gypsy, Roma and Traveller cultural awareness programme, commissioned by the Welsh Government and reaching all 22 Welsh Local Authorities. Using their award-winning Train the Trainer model and Training 4 Influence methodology, the programme will embed trauma-informed, culturally competent practice across frontline services, with equity and lived experience at its core.

Passionate individuals and organisations supporting marginalised communities are invited to get involved. Opportunities include paid co-facilitator roles, funded training places, and collaborative partnerships. The opportunities include: 

• Recruiting community members as co-trainers
• Partnering with local authorities, charities, and grassroots groups
• Inviting researchers and universities to evaluate impact

You can get in touch by completing this short form 

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Relational working in Youth Justice

The seminar, "Relational Working in Youth Justice: From Evidence to Practice" is presented by the Academy for Social Justice [16 October, 16.00 - 17.15, online, free]. It explores a groundbreaking model for relational practice in youth justice, developed through a three-year action research collaboration between Irish academics and frontline practitioners across 16 Youth Diversion Projects.  Register for your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: Problem-solving courts in New Zealand

As part of their work to support the Ministry of Justice's initiative to expand the number of problem-solving courts (branded Intensive Supervision Courts) in England and Wales, the Centre for Justice Innovation (CJI) is hosting a an expert voices seminar [28 August, 10:00-11:00, online, free] looking at the development and growth of these courts in New Zealand. 

New Zealand has numerous problem-solving courts which deal with matters such as addiction, homelessness, family violence, mental health, and youth offending. Each of these courts embrace therapeutic justice principles and seek to address underlying causes of offending.

The expert voice event will feature Judge Ida Malosi, the Acting-Chief Judge of the District Court of New Zealand and Principal Youth Court Judge, and Oliver Fredrickson, a New Zealand criminal lawyer who is currently completing a fellowship at CJI. Register for this event here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: HACRO 2025 open day

Join HACRO (The Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders) at their 2025 Open Day to see first-hand the positive impact of their work in Hertfordshire [16 October, 11:00 – 14:00, The Chapel Hub, Wheathampstead, AL4 8AG]. 

This is a great opportunity to meet the team, hear about their projects, and learn how they support people to turn their lives around and contribute positively to their communities.

Please email office@hacro.org.uk to confirm your attendance.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: The Procurement Act 2023

The Procurement Act 2023 came into force on 24 February 2025. It aims to transform public sector procurement to reduce barriers, and make procurement more accessible and transparent.

The next iteration of the Community Rehabilitative Services (CRS) will be procured using this new process. Any organisations looking to become a lead provider of these services are required to register on the Central Digital Platform, which is an extension of the Find a Tender service. 

Only lead providers, or sub-contracting organisations that are vital to the delivery of the contract need to register. However, as the new Central Digital Platform is going to be the platform on which all public sector tender opportunities are shared Clinks would encourage all organisations interested in public sector contracts to register.

A series of easy-to-read guides and webinars are available to support organisations. Click here to access the guides

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: future rehabilitative services for women

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is running a market engagement event [16 September, 10:30 – 12:00, online, free] to gather input into the design of the future rehabilitative services for women in prison or in the community.

This market engagement event shall aim to provide information and seek feedback on the high-level design of the services, including;

  1. A summary of key feedback received from stakeholders that we will be looking to address through the design of the future services
  2. Proposed key elements of how the future services should be delivered
  3. Current thinking on what activities that should be delivered through the future services

Please note, this event will only cover the future women's services, and we will not be covering eligibility criteria or volumes at this time. Register here to attend

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Timings of two funding opportunities

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) and Rehabilitation and Change Directorate would like to highlight activities taking place regarding two funding opportunities:

  • Commissioned Rehabilitative Services contracts for Men's Rehabilitative Services and
  • Better Rehabilitation Outcomes Through Enabling The Voluntary Sector Grant Scheme (also known as the Rehabilitation Grants Scheme)

HMPPS notes the proximity in both competitions’ timescales. This has been reviewed internally, to ensure all providers are aware of any potential crossover so that they may plan accordingly. We appreciate there is potential overlap but due to both project timescales we believe this is the most appropriate timings to allow both projects to publish. 

Please download this guide to the timelines for both funding opportunities. 

It is also highly suggested that providers look out for information via CLINKS Light Lunch newsletter, the Find a grant website - for the Rehabilitation Grants Scheme and the Find a Tender website for the CRS contracts. 

NON-MEMBER NEWS: Principles to eliminate hepatitis C in England

The Hepatitis C Trust published a report which outlines the UK’s progress and remaining challenges in eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat. 

As England continues to make excellent progress towards the WHO goal of eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030, this report emphasizes the urgent need to expand testing, treatment, and harm reduction services within the criminal justice system, particularly in prisons where prevalence is significantly higher. The report also calls for improved data integration and continuity of care for individuals transitioning from custody to community settings through initiatives like NHS England’s RECONNECT scheme. Read the report here

FUNDING: £3m boost for Effective Women's Centres

The Henry Smith Foundation and The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls have announced £3m funding to expand the Effective Women’s Centres Partnership.

The partnership, involving seven women’s centres and the University of Birmingham, uses the Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA) to deliver trauma-informed, personalised support. The WRNA can predict women's reoffending risk, strengthening evidence that gender-responsive services reduce crime.

The funding will help more centres join the partnership and support thousands of women in the community. You can read more about this exciting announcement here

FUNDING: Domestic Abuse Fund

The Henry Smith Foundation's Domestic Abuse Fund is a programme that will provide grants to 'led by and for' organisations delivering specialist domestic abuse services. They are looking to fund groups that are deeply rooted in their communities and offer person-centred, holistic support that is tailored to the needs to people from marginalised and minoritised communities who have experienced domestic abuse. Funding is for £250k per year for 5 years, and is open for expressions of interest with a deadline of [10 September at 17:00]. A recording of their webinar to learn more about the fund is available to watch on their website.

OPPORTUNITY: Partnership with Novus

As part of preparations for the next round of Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) due to be procured in Autumn, Novus is inviting expressions of interest from organisations who share their mission, values and commitment to improving outcomes for people on probation. Novus are particularly keen to hear from local charities, VCSEs, and support groups with the capability to deliver high-quality services in custody and in the community, aligned with the aims and outcomes of the CRS programme.

If you are interested in exploring supply chain opportunities with Novus, please complete the short Expression of Interest form here.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact busdev@novus.ac.uk -  Please note the deadline for responses is [1 September at 18:00].

FEATURED VACANCY: Prison Support Administrator  

Samaritans is seeking a highly organised individual to join their team. [£25,000 - £30,000, Full time, Hybrid]. They will play a vital part in delivering the Listener scheme - a unique peer support programme that helps prevent suicide and provides emotional support to people in prisons. In this role, the chosen candidate will provide essential administrative and operational support to Samaritan's dedicated prison support volunteers, internal teams, and wider stakeholders across the prison estate. From triaging mailbox queries and coordinating meetings to helping onboard new volunteers and manage project documentation, their attention to detail and proactive approach will help run an effective and impactful service. [Find out more and apply here by 1st September 2025]. 

FEATURED VACANCY: Trustee  

Switchback is seeking a passionate individual to join our Board of Trustees. [Voluntary, Part time, London]. They are looking for someone who can bring any of the following strengths: experience of financial management, ideally but not necessarily in a not-for-profit organisation; and/or experience of engaging with the private sector to support income growth, as well as insight and contacts to help them grow their access to training, employment and other opportunities for Trainees. Additionally, Switchback is seeking experience of supporting a not-for-profit to grow, including increasing the diversity and sustainability of income sources. In total Trustees give about 25 hours a year for attending and preparing for formal meetings. [Find out more and apply here by 18th September 2025]. 

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Specialist Caseworker – Emergency Department with St Giles Trust [£27,000, Northwick Park Hospital, full time]; Trustee with Switchback [Voluntary, London, part time]; Resettlement & Recovery Support Worker 25/45 with Imagine Independence [£25,624, Liverpool, full time]; Prison Support Administrator with Samaritans [£25,000 – £30,000, hybrid (Ewell), full time]; Deputy Service Manager with Social Interest Group [£30,600, SW2 5HW, full time]; Team Manager / 3910 with Phoenix Futures [£27,000, N7 8TT, full time]; Recovery Worker – HMP Pentonville / 3913 with Phoenix Futures [£24,637, N7 8TT, full time]; Through The Gate/Releases Worker with Phoenix Futures [£24,637, N7 8TT, full time]; Lead Activity Hub Advisor with The Growth Company [£33,000, Blackpool & Blackburn, full time]; Lead Activity Hub Advisor with The Growth Company [£33,000, Greater Manchester, full time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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