Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 902 | 10 October 2025

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS TRAINING: Build confidence to navigate the CJS

Do you have volunteers or staff members who want to increase their understanding of the criminal justice system?

The criminal justice system as a whole can be quite daunting to understand because of both its size and complexity. This three- hour workshop [16 October, 9:30 - 12:30, online, from £75] aims to increase awareness of, and provide opportunity for, voluntary sector staff and volunteers to explore and discuss how the criminal justice system is organised, the complexities within it, and how it works.

The workshop will cover:

  • An overview of the criminal justice system and the jargon used
  • National criminal justice context
  • The process from arrest to conviction
  • Prisons & Probation
  • Local and regional structures
  • Inspectorates and regulators
  • The role of the voluntary sector in the criminal justice system

Find out more and book your place here

MEMBER FOCUS: Heart-Shaped Decisions CIC

Heart-Shaped Decisions CIC provides talks and workshops in prisons and YOIs using lived experience to build confidence and self-esteem and develop fulfilling and productive lives on the outside.

They also deliver public speaking workshops. Their founder, Graham Frost, has lived experience as a Borstal boy and has gone on to build a fulfilling life for himself. Graham uses his story to inspire others to change their lives for the better. Find out more about Heart-Shaped Decisions CIC

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Longford Prize nominations open

The 2025 Longford Prize will be presented at the annual Longford Lecture in November 2025. To have a say in the result, write a short (maximum 1000 word) but persuasive description of why the individual, group or organisation is suitable to follow 2007’s prize winner Christopher Stacey, (While working for Unlock).

Include details of scale, of geographical spread, and of rates of successful outcomes. All nominees must having been worked in the field of prison reform in 2025. Nominations for the 2025 Prize must arrive by October 15, 2025 at office@longfordtrust.org or by post to Longford Trust, PO Box 72887, London N2 2FG. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: High Sheriff award for tackling homelessness

Own Merit CIC is deeply honoured to have received recognition from the High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, who presented the High Sheriff award at a Rehabilitation Conference hosted by the University of Northampton.

The award acknowledges the work of Own Merit CIC, which was founded to help people leaving prison rebuild their lives through safe, affordable housing and supportive communities. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Complimentary distraction packs

Since 2016, Recoop’s Food for Thought Distraction Packs have supported purposeful activity across prisons and courts. They were created with a focus on older people in custody, who often have fewer opportunities for age-appropriate engagement. The packs provide meaningful activities that encourage learning, ease isolation and promote wellbeing.

In the lead up to Christmas, Recoop is offering three complimentary issues. October’s pack is already available, with November and December editions available by request.

Feedback highlights their impact: “These packs help me escape loneliness” and “They make me think in different ways, which I enjoy.” Others note they are useful both in-cell and as shared activities.

Delivered electronically for flexible printing and distribution, the packs can be subscribed to after the free trial. Get your complimentary issues here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Bearface Theatre events

BearFace is proud to share and invite you to our Winchester Cathedral's Law Week Festival events in mid-October:

You can find out more by visiting the Bearface website

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Zahid Mubarek Trust's national conference

There are only a few days left to sign up for the Zahid Mubarek Trust's national conference: ‘Race in prisons: learning from the past, shaping the future’ [28 October, London, price dependent].

The conference will serve as both a memorial to Zahid Mubarek on the 25th anniversary of his murder by his racist cellmate at HMYOI Feltham, and a participatory call to action to urgently address the continuing racial disparities that are persisting in the prison system decades on from Zahid’s murder.

The conference will feature a keynote address from Lord James Timpson OBE, Minister of State for Prisons, Parole and Probation, as well as senior prison leaders, policymakers, researchers, and people with lived experience. The ZMT will launch a Manifesto on Race Equality in Prisons, alongside a grassroots movement to drive accountability for racial disparities across the prison system. Families of prisoners and people with lived experience of imprisonment are particularly welcome to attend. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: The right to be forgotten

Join Unlock for a "Right to be Forgotten" webinar on [30 October, 13:00, online, free]. The event will be exploring how online information about criminal records can undermine rehabilitation. Hear from experts on digital privacy, US reformers as well as the Unlock team. Sign up here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Housing, benefits and the pathway after prison

Join Society Matters for Breaking the Cycle: Housing, Benefits and the Pathway After Prison. This webinar [16 October, 14:00 - 15:00, online, free] will go through housing and benefits faced by many ex-prisoners when they return to mainstream society. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Communicate your impact effectively

Are you a charity or community group professional looking to communicate your organisation’s impact effectively? This workshop is designed to empower you to articulate the real difference your work make [23 October, 10:00 - 12:30, online, free]. 

Join the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA), in partnership with the Royal Literary Fund, to receive free writing development training for individuals and organisations delivering services and projects in the criminal justice system. Find out more and book here

FUNDING: The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation

The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation’s General Fund has re-opened for Autumn applications. This funding is for charitable work that meets one or more of the foundation’s current priorities, including: ex-offenders and their families, victims of modern slavery, victims of domestic abuse, homelessness, drug and substance abuse, among others.

Under their 'ex-offenders' priority, they are looking for projects that support ex-offenders back into work, contributing positively to society, and to support their families whose lives can be severely impacted. If you are a registered charity with an annual expenditure of less than £10m, and work with communities in need in England, Wales, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland, complete their eligibility test now. Previous grants have ranged from [£5,000 to £2.5m]. Find out more

RESOURCE: Volunteering and job toolkit for employers and organisations

St Giles Trust Cymru aims to create inclusive volunteering and/or job opportunities for people with lived experience of the Criminal Justice System, poverty, exploitation, and violence.

They have built an "Experts By Experience" toolkit to supporting adults (18+) with lived experience to access volunteering and job opportunities. The toolkit is a digital platform for employers across all sectors to connect with individuals seeking volunteering pathways.

To find out more register your interest via this link or email gillian.wilde@stgilestrust.org.uk

PUBLICATION: Impact of media reporting on children

Children whose parent or family member is imprisoned face confusion, stigma, and emotional distress. A new study from The Open University and Youth Support Services explores how media coverage of familial crimes - especially online - adds to that burden.

Key insights:

  • Some children learn of their loved one’s imprisonment through media reports or social media.
  • Media depictions often sensationalise crime and omit context. 
  • Reporting restrictions exist in law to protect children’s privacy, but the rapid spread of online content challenges enforcement and poses risks of “jigsaw identification.”

The research aims to develop support tools and resources so these children can better navigate media exposure and its emotional consequences. Read more: "The impact of online media reporting of family crimes on children"

FEATURED VACANCY: Policy & Public Affairs Lead 

The Traveller Movement is seeking an individual to join their team as Policy & Public Affairs Lead [£40,000 - £45,000, Part-time, London]. You will be responsible for shaping and delivering our advocacy strategy. Developing and implementing strategies to manage the organisation’s relationships with government, policymakers, and the public. You will lead research, policy analysis, campaigns, and stakeholder engagement to influence decision-making and advance the interests of Romani (Gypsy), Roma, and Irish Traveller communities. You will ensure that lived experience drives all policy and advocacy work and create networks for community voices, initiatives with people from the communities we serve, and embed representation and inclusion across all aspects of TM’s work. [Find out more and apply by 7th November here]. 

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Night Support Partner with One Small Thing [£27,000 – £29,000, Southampton, full time]; Prison Facilitator – HMP Elmley with Shannon Trust [£28,274, HMP Elmley, part time]; Policy and Public Affairs Lead with The Traveller Movement [£40,000 – £45,000, SW4 6QX, part time]; Team Manager – Hospital and Health with St Giles Trust [£29,500, Luton & Dunstable and Bedford Hospitals (hybrid), full time]; Projects and Operations Coordinator with The Irene Taylor Trust [£24,000 – £27,000, London, part time]; Prison Facilitator – HMP Guys Marsh with Shannon Trust [£28,274, Dorset, part time]; Senior Community Keyworker – Essex & Hertfordshire with ADVANCE [£26,000 – £27,000, Essex & Hertfordshire, full time]; Community Keyworker – Chelmsford & Colchester with ADVANCE [£23,000 – £27,000, Chelmsford and Colchester, full time]; Collective Project Manager with Women in Prison [£41,705 – £45,705, Remote/London/Manchester, part time]; Reading Strategy Coordinator – HMP Hull with Shannon Trust [£28,274, HMP Hull, part time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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