Clinks is thrilled to welcome and introduce Mandy Mahil as our new Chair! We look forward to working with Mandy as we launch our new strategy to 2030. With her extensive experience and passion for supporting the voluntary sector in criminal justice, Mandy is poised to lead our organisation into an exciting new chapter.

Mandy will officially take her seat at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 3 December 2024.

I am delighted to be appointed as the new Chair of Clinks. It is an honour to join an organisation that has long championed the voluntary sector for a better and fairer criminal justice system.

I am especially excited to join this year as Clinks launches its new strategy, against the backdrop of a newly elected Government.

Why Clinks matters to me

For me this year marks a decade of reflection, as I think about the many voluntary organisations that personally and professionally connect me to Clinks’ mission. I have had the privilege of benefitting from and contributing to numerous Clinks member organisations that support people affected by the criminal justice system.

Reflecting on my own journey, ten years ago I was leaving the prison gates. During my time in HMP Holloway, I still vividly recall long queues of people on remand who could not speak English, waiting at the Prisoners' Advice Service (PAS) desk. The compassionate direct support PAS provided in navigating the complexities of prison law, reaffirmed my belief for the critical need for legal charities like this, which make otherwise inaccessible services available to those who need them most.

While in HMP Send, I received long-distance education funded by the Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET). This funding meant more than completing a course, it provided the much-needed hope for rebuilding a purposeful life beyond the prison cell. Guided by the Shannon Trust I supported learners in prison to read and write. Here, I came to realise how many people struggle with reading and writing, a stark reminder of the disproportionate and perpetuating inequalities that exist in the prison system. After my release in 2014, not knowing where to go, I stumbled across the Clinks jobsite. From there, I volunteered as a helpline advisor for people with convictions, and years later served on the equality, equity, diversity and inclusion (EEDI) committee as a trustee at Unlock. At the same time, I supported the governance and strategic direction of Working Chance, the UK's only employment charity solely for women with convictions.

I am also grateful to have served as a trustee on the boards of Unlock, PAS and PET, and to have contributed to advancing lived experience leadership as an advisory member of the Criminal Justice Alliance’s ELEVATE Programme. These of course are just a few of the hundreds of Clinks members, among the 1700 or more voluntary sector organisations working with people in the criminal justice system and their families. With the benefit of time and perspective, I have come to appreciate more so the value of Clinks – not only in connecting and equipping the sector but also advocating for systems change and promoting the voluntary sector.

After several years in the criminal justice sector, I now work for an infrastructure organisation that brings together people working across pan-equality, social justice and human rights causes.

What I am looking forward to

The criminal justice system remains an area where change is essential, yet progress comes slowly. This moment, however, feels different and I am genuinely optimistic about the future. I am hopeful that this new Government will work with the expertise across the sector to prioritise prevention and diversion and invest in community-led solutions – approaches we know work. Together, we have an opportunity to reframe the narrative around people with convictions, challenging the stigma that often impacts them and their families. As Chair, alongside our diverse, experienced board members, I look forward to working closely with our CEO, Anne Fox, and her experienced team to ensure Clinks remains well positioned to advocate for systems change and be a champion for the voluntary sector at a critical and opportune time for the sector.

Voluntary organisations play a powerful, yet sometimes unsung role in advocating for criminal justice reform and proving vital services. As I step into this new role, I am committed to ensuring that their diverse voices, as well as the expertise of those with lived experiences, are genuinely represented in key decision-making spaces. I look forward to furthering this perspective in my role at Clinks.

I also look forward to hearing from Prisons Minister Lord Timpson OBE DL at Clinks’ upcoming Annual Conference. With his knowledge of the voluntary sector and experience of working with people leaving prison, I am hopeful it signals a strong commitment to ongoing collaboration with the sector.

Finally, I would like to thank Roma Hooper OBE, whose commitment and thoughtful leadership and generosity over the past six years as Clinks Chair has been nothing short of inspiring.

We invite our members and the wider sector to join us in welcoming Mandy to Clinks. Her leadership marks an exciting time for our organisation, and we are eager to see the positive developments that lie ahead.