Introduction 

Throughout the 2025–26 year, we conducted our State of the Sector 2025 research, engaging a wide range of organisations across the voluntary sector working in criminal justice.  

In addition to gathering feedback through a survey, which was sent to Clinks contacts and shared through multiple communication channels and networks, we set out to explore in greater depth the persistent challenges, opportunities, and support needs across the sector. To do this, we partnered with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) to facilitate a series of 12 focus groups, including 11 thematic and area-based focus groups with criminal justice voluntary organisations and 1 focus group with sector funding organisations.  

Alongside the responses to our survey, the learnings from these focus groups have informed the content of our report and the subsequent recommendations and priorities that have been identified for Clinks to undertake.  

Following our launch event on 31 March 2026, we gathered further insight through a series of breakout discussions with our members. These conversations helped us to test, refine, and build on our initial findings. What emerged was a clear message: while much of this work is already underway (such as the establishment of regular practical workshop sessions facilitated by larger organisations, aimed at supporting smaller organisations with funding bids and projects, the recruitment of an Events & Training Coordinator and the launch of our new Directory) there is a strong appetite for us to go further, be more visible, and be more responsive to the diversity of the sector. 

In response, we have begun to expand and sharpen the priorities set out in our final report. Our focus is both on strengthening the work we already deliver and committing to new areas of development directly shaped by what you told us. 

We have categorised this work under three key themes: 

1. Deepening and Diversifying Engagement 
2. Enhancing Tools and Practical Support for Members 
3. Showcasing and Celebrating the Sector 

Deepening and Diversifying Engagement  

Clinks will continue to strengthen how we connect with members across England and Wales, with a particular focus on ensuring that smaller, area-based, and specialist organisations are better represented and supported, given that 58% of our members are small organisations, with a yearly turnover of under £250k. 

Clinks Will: 

• As a part of Clinks’ new Small Organisations Network, establish regular practical workshop sessions facilitated by larger organisations, aimed at supporting smaller organisations with funding bids and projects. These sessions will provide hands-on guidance, peer learning opportunities, and space to share expertise across the sector. 
• Continue to deliver area- and issue-based forums (online and in person), across the 6 HMPPS areas and Wales, to increase participation beyond London. 
• Regularly gather member feedback (through mechanisms such as surveys and forms) to shape events, engagement, and opportunities. 
• Use national and area-based activity (including Clinks’ Summer Roadshow and our area forums) to highlight the work of smaller, place-based organisations and strengthen visibility of Clinks’ impact.  
• Invest in delivery capacity, including recruitment of an Events & Training Coordinator. 

Enhancing Tools and Practical Support for Members 

We recognise that members value clear, accessible, and practical support. Building on our existing offer, we will improve how members access information, advice, and connections. 

Clinks Will:  

• Better promote Clinks’ new area-based officers, ensuring that organisations are aware of and can easily access tailored advice and guidance across the Clinks team. Each HMPPS area has a single point of contact within Clinks, who can provide practical assistance to organisations to enable voluntary sector participation in criminal justice specific opportunities. 
• Redevelop the Clinks Directory into a clear, searchable service directory (including coverage, cohorts, and contact details), with potential to evolve into a visual map. This will make it easier for organisations, commissioners, and partners to identify services and understand provision across different areas. 
• Improve the accessibility and visibility of member tools, benefits, and resources across the new Clinks website, to be launched in the Autumn, including clearer navigation and cross-linking. 
• Improve knowledge sharing by creating a “network of networks” landing page, in addition to separate landing pages for each network overseen by clinks, including our Families Network, Women’s Network, (upcoming) Race Justice Network, and (upcoming) Small Organisations Network. 

Showcasing and Celebrating the Sector 

A consistent theme from the research was the need to better recognise and amplify the work of voluntary organisations, particularly those that are smaller or less visible. 

Clinks Will: 

• Increase visibility of member organisations through regular showcases at events, strategic forums, and in communications (for example, through newsletters and newsflashes). 
• Increase the visibility of the work of the voluntary sector at an area-based level with HMPPS 
• Strategically utilise high-profile weeks to promote member organisations and their work (for example, small charities week and alcohol awareness week) 
• Provide targeted opportunities for smaller or lower-visibility organisations to promote their work.  
• Strengthen and expand thematic networks (such as the Families Network and Women’s Network) as platforms for visibility and collaboration. 

Next Steps 

Over the course of 2026–27, our focus will be on ensuring that we meaningfully deliver against these priorities. This will involve coordinated action across Clinks, with teams working collaboratively to embed these commitments into our day-to-day work. 

While we will continue to build on the State of the Sector research, our priority now is to move forward with implementation. As a result, we will not be conducting our State of the Sector research in 2026 and will shift our research to be bi-yearly, conducting our next wave of research in 2027. We will monitor progress, remain responsive to member feedback, and continue to adapt as the needs of the sector evolve. 

We will be working closely across all areas of Clinks to achieve these recommendations and to ensure that our work delivers tangible value for our members and the wider sector.