Clinks is the infrastructure organisation supporting, promoting, and representing the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system in England and Wales.
As a valued member of Clinks, you gain access to a comprehensive range of benefits designed to enhance your organisations impact and success. Please refer to the list below for a detailed overview of the valuable benefits available, as well as other key elements of support, that you can access as part of the Clinks community.
Member only benefits have been annotated as follows:
F = Full member benefit
A = Associate member benefit
Guide to Clinks Membership Browse Clinks members Join Clinks
Be heard and influence change
As an organisation or individual actively involved in the criminal justice system, your impact on the lives of those within the system and their families is profound. Your experience and expertise are invaluable to policy makers, and it is crucial that your voice is heard. Clinks provides a collective voice for organisations and individuals working in the criminal justice system. By collating the experiences and views of our members, we can create a powerful platform for advocating evidence-based recommendations directly to policy makers. Together, we can bring about meaningful change and shape policies that truly reflect the needs of the people you serve.
Be supported at a local and national level
Clinks has an Area Development Team with dedicated area development officers covering the North of England, London, and Wales who capture, encourage, and promote quality practice in voluntary organisations in their area. They explore how voluntary sector organisations can become more sustainable, working with local partners to promote funding opportunities and thinking of new ways of working. We believe that local support and development organisations (or local infrastructure such as Councils for Voluntary Services) can act as important neutral brokers to support the sector. They listen and respond to the view and experiences of frontline staff and local voluntary organisations to inform Clinks’ policy work at the national, regional, and local level. Our expert staff are also available to visit our member organisations.
Join the Women's Network F A
The Clinks Women’s Network brings together Clinks members that focus on providing women-specific services. This ensures we can properly engage and represent organisations offering gender-specific support to women affected by the criminal justice system.
In partnership with the Agenda Alliance, the alliance for women and girls at risk, we host quarterly women’s networking forums which provide opportunities to:
- Meet and engage with other organisations offering women-specific services
- Access information, advice, and support on developing and running women-specific services
- Receive policy updates from Clinks and Agenda
- Hear from expert speakers on topics relevant to women and criminal justice
The Race and Justice Network is for organisations that are either led by racially minoritised people or that have a specific focus on supporting those from racially minoritised backgrounds, within the criminal justice sector.
Join the network to:
- Get sector specific information
- Influence policy and procedures within the Criminal Justice System
- Showcase good practice and learn from others
- Network with likeminded organisations nationally
- Receive / offer training and development opportunities
- Receive a copy of the quarterly Race and Justice Network bulletin
As a member of Clinks, you are also eligible to join the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) network.
The NCJAA’s vision is to promote access to arts and creative opportunities as a springboard to positive change for all those who come into contact with the criminal justice system. It provides a network to promote, develop and support high quality arts practice in criminal justice settings, influencing and informing government, commissioners, and the public.
The individuals and organisations in the NCJAA network deliver creative opportunities to people in prison, on probation and in the community, with impressive, internationally recognised results. The NCJAA provides a collective voice at policy level and develops evidence to make the case for the arts in prison, probation, and community settings, raising the profile and quality of the arts in criminal justice settings.
The Older People in the Criminal Justice System network is designed to bring together voluntary and statutory organisations and practitioners, as well as academics, who provide services for and/or advocate for older people (people over 50) in the justice system. The network is for anyone who has an interest in older people in the justice system and will meet quarterly, with ad hoc work happening in between network meetings.
If you would like to be a part of the network, please contact policy@clinks.org
The Member Advisory Forum enables Clinks to bring member organisations together to share knowledge, challenges, and best practice. This enables Clinks to best understand and support the development of its members to deliver the highest-level impact for the people they exist for. The forum is integral to the ways we measure how we are meeting our strategic objectives, how we understand the current challenges our members face and what the sector needs from its membership body.
The forum adds to the existing ways that we involve our members in our work, building on our regional and thematic networks, and our use of intelligence from our members in our policy work and consultation responses. You can find out more about the forum by reading our full terms of reference. We publish the meeting notes of all meetings on our Publications page.
Express an interest in joining the forum
If you are a member of Clinks and are interested in joining the forum, or would like to find out more, email membership@clinks.org.
The RR3 provides the key interface between the voluntary sector and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), in order to increase mutual understanding and build a strong and effective partnership. The group is made up of senior experts from the voluntary sector and meets quarterly with civil servants to provide guidance and feedback on MoJ policy developments.
In late 2021, a forum was set up between the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and Clinks to create a space for regular and ongoing engagement on commissioning rounds that will involve the voluntary sector working in criminal justice. Representatives from the MoJ, HMPPS and Clinks meet on a quarterly basis so that the MoJ/HMPPS can share details of upcoming commissioning and procurement opportunities that Clinks need to be aware of in order to provide support to the voluntary sector, and for Clinks to provide feedback from the voluntary sector on what is working well and what could be improved with regards to previous or ongoing opportunities.
If you would like to find out more or share any feedback with us, please email support@clinks.org
As a Clinks member, you will have voting rights at our AGM. We welcome suggestions about our work and strategic direction from our members and are always keen to receive feedback on how we can improve to better meet the needs of our members.
Stay informed and up to date
In a fast-paced and evolving landscape, staying informed is essential for effectively supporting individuals in the criminal justice system. Clinks understands the importance of keeping you up to date with the latest developments, research, and best practices in the sector. Through our comprehensive network and partnerships, we provide timely and relevant information, ensuring that you have access to the knowledge and resources necessary to enhance your impact. By staying informed, you can remain at the forefront of advancements, adapt your approach, and continue making a positive difference in the lives of those you support.
Clinks blogs
The latest views and discussion from Clinks staff and guest writers. We also use blogs to give short updates on our latest projects, as well as briefings on topics of interest to members.
Light Lunch
Weekly news, funding opportunities, resources, events, and the latest developments in the criminal justice system. Sent to you every Friday. You will also receive Clinks Newsflashes of interest to you on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Monthly policy briefing F A
Monthly updates and analysis of developments in criminal justice policy for organisations working in the criminal justice system. Sent on the second Tuesday of every month.
Monthly news, events, resources, and funding opportunities for voluntary organisations involved in the health and care of people in the criminal justice system. Sent on the last Tuesday of every month.
Find out moreMonthly news, events and resources for arts organisations working in criminal justice. Sent on the last Thursday of each month. You will also receive important updates from NCJAA from time to time.
Find out moreQuarterly news, events, funding, and resources for organisations working with women in the criminal justice system.
Quarterly news, events, funding, and resources for organisations led by and focused on racially minoritised people working in the criminal justice system.
A comprehensive resource for staying informed about the latest insights and developments in the criminal justice system. Our Publications page offers a diverse range of resources, including annual reports, briefings, case studies, discussion papers, evidence library, guides, and more, providing valuable insights, research, and best practices for organisations to effectively support individuals within the ever-evolving landscape of the criminal justice system.
Develop and promote your organisation
Continuous development and effective promotion are vital for the success and sustainability of the work you do. Clinks recognises the importance of supporting our members in their growth and visibility. By joining our network, you gain access to a range of opportunities designed to develop your capabilities, enhance your skills, and expand your network of collaborators. We provide training, workshops, and resources to help you strengthen your capacity and maximise your positive influence. Additionally, Clinks actively promotes the work of our members, increasing your visibility and recognition within the sector and beyond.
Discounted training and events F A
Clinks runs events and training for voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system. Our regular events include national and regional criminal justice forums; specialist thematic network forums for those working with women, people from racially minoritised backgrounds and those who deliver arts-based interventions and support within the criminal justice system.
We deliver regular online training on how to navigate the criminal justice system, working and volunteering in prisons, and understanding the need for a gendered approach to working with women in the criminal justice system, which we can also deliver in-house on request.
Our Job board advertises job and volunteer vacancies with organisations working in the criminal justice system. The cost of posting a vacancy is £125 for non-members, Clinks members can post vacancies for free.
Members’ vacancies can also be promoted as a guaranteed stand-alone listing in Light Lunch for a £100 fee per vacancy (not available to non-members).
Search job boardYou may submit news, events, training, and resources to be included in Light lunch that is relevant to individuals working in, or with an interest in, the criminal justice system in England and Wales. We will prioritise Clinks members’ entries over non-members.
Submit an articleClinks’ Directory of Services is an online database listing hundreds of voluntary and community organisations working with people in the criminal justice system and their families. Enter a search term, organisation, or place name in the search box, or use the filters on the left to find the service you need.
Find out moreClinks’ Partnership Finder is a supply chain and consortia directory for lead bidders, commissioners, and the voluntary sector. Search quickly and easily to find your perfect voluntary sector partners. Enter a search term, organisation, or place name in the search box, or use the filters on the left to identify the organisations you need.
Find out moreDSC is a charity that helps other charities get stronger. They provide funding databases, training courses, conferences, publications, research, and lots of free resources on their website, including top tips and best practice articles. If you work for a charity, they aim to support you in everything you do.
Funds Online – 8,000 funders giving a combined total of £8 billion
- 'We received a grant of £25,000' - Clare Wichbold, The Courtyard Trust
- 'It is an essential tool for trust fundraisers, it's impossible to be a fundraiser without Funds Online' - Claire Rowan, Trusts and Statutory Fundraising Officer, Gingerbread
Where applicable, search results include details of funder exclusions and previous beneficiaries, which can be a helpful tool for applicants in deciding whether to apply for a fund or not. Find out more and subscribe today (use your Clinks code for 20% off!)*.
Charity training courses coming up
DSC online training covers current key issues you may be facing right now as well as wider topic areas such as fundraising, governance, finance, personal development, communication and management & leadership. Find out more here (use your Clinks code for 20% off!)*.
Over 65 publications available
Covering “how to” guides as well as funding information, DSC titles include Advising Philanthropists, Charity Policy and Procedure Templates, The Complete Fundraising Handbook, It’s a Battle on the Board and many more. Find out more here (use your Clinks code for 20% off!)*.
*Please contact membership@clinks.org for your DSC discount code.
Insurance is an essential purchase for voluntary organisations. Clinks works with One Broker Insurance to offer our members a specialised, personal service including a personal visit and free mid-term review. One Broker is a voluntary sector insurance specialist who understands that the charity insurance market can be difficult to navigate for organisations who work with people involved in the criminal justice system.
For more information, contact Charity Enquiries: charityenquiries@onebroker.co.uk or call 01206 986687.
If you would like to take advantage of the discount, please contact membership@clinks.org for a discount code.
Meganexus software solutions are designed for voluntary, community, and social enterprises. They enhance and build on the provision of support to benefit service users, keyworkers, and commissioners.
CAPTR is a platform that digitally hosts interventions by personalising and tracking a participant's journey from Point A to Point B.
GENAIE is a breakthrough AI content generation tool that is transforming learning and development across thousands of subjects. It automatically generates comprehensive, bespoke, high quality interactive learning content - in minutes.
For service users, CAPTR and GENAIE provide structure and directly personalised high grade courses and resources.
Educators and Trainers save time - in several cases saving over 80% of time generating courses and resources. They have proven value in prisons, probation, and the community.
For commissioners, CAPTR and GENAIE automatically evidence and validate the impact of services with bespoke MI reporting that adapts to key KPI requirements. Spreadsheets are no longer required.
The CAPTR GENAIE combination provides a complete all-in-one case management system covering both a LMS (learning management system) and an MI (management information) reporting engine. This frees up time, allowing people to focus on the human side of service delivery.
Clinks is delighted to have arranged a substantial cost saving on Meganexus CAPTR and GENAIE for our members which gives up to 15% reduction on the cost of these products.
For more detail on this offer, please contact membership@clinks.org.
"Through Meganexus, clients may have access to certain aspects of their own records, empowering them to actively participate in their care planning and decision-making process. Client portals or self-service features allow clients to view their support plans, track progress, and communicate with their case managers or support workers." - Support When It Matters: SWIM Enterprises
Connect and network with like-minded organisations and individuals
Building connections and fostering collaboration is instrumental in creating a vibrant and resilient voluntary sector. Clinks understands the power of networking and believes in the strength of collective action. By becoming a member, you join a community of like-minded organisations and individuals working towards similar goals in the criminal justice system. Our network provides valuable opportunities for sharing knowledge, experiences, and expertise, facilitating peer support and collaboration. Connecting with others allows you to learn from one another, share innovative ideas, and collectively address the challenges faced by the sector. Together, we can create a powerful and united force dedicated to transforming lives and advocating for positive change.
Our criminal justice forums are organised events held in different regions, including All England, North of England, London, and All Wales. These forums bring together partners and professionals working within the criminal justice system to discuss policy, share good practices, and address challenges and opportunities in our day-to-day work. They offer a platform for networking, peer support, and learning, enabling participants to stay informed about current and future developments while showcasing their work. These forums encourage collaboration, joint working, and the exchange of knowledge to foster a more effective and just criminal justice system.
A discount code applies, please contact membership@clinks.org.
Women's Network forums F A
Our quarterly Women’s Network forums, hosted in partnership with Agenda, provide support, information, and networking opportunities to those working with women in contact with the criminal justice system. They also provide updates on policy, member activity and host speakers on relevant topics.
The Women’s Network forums are only open to voluntary organisations who already provide a specific service or project for women in contact with the criminal justice system.
A quarterly Race and Justice Network forum that provides organisations in the network with support, information, and networking opportunities. They also provide updates on policy, member activity, and host speakers on relevant topics.
The Race and Justice Network forums are only open to voluntary organisations who already provide a specific service / support or project focusing on racially minoritised people within the criminal justice system.
Search eventsThe NCJAA arts in criminal justice forums are regular online events themed around important ideas and relevant developments in criminal justice. You’ll have the chance to hear from expert speakers in both practice and policy, meet others working in the field, and share good practice within the network. The NCJAA arts in criminal justice forums are open to all working, or with an interest in, arts in criminal justice.
Search eventsMembership types and pricing
Full membership
Full membership is for non-profit organisations that support our aims and uphold the values that Clinks has. Please read Shared expectations: Clinks membership code of conduct.
| Most recently published annual income | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Less than £250k | £0 |
| £250k - £500k | £80 or free for specialist organisations* |
| £500k - £1m | £120 |
| £1m - £5m | £160 |
| £5m - £10m | £250 |
| Over £10m | £350 |
*Please see below for definitions of specialist organisations
Associate membership
Associate membership is for those who agree with our aims, but are either individuals or not non-profit organisations, including public or private sector employees.
| Associate type | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Individual | £50 |
| Public sector (including Police and Crime Commissioners) | Between £250 & £300 (please contact us for more information) |
| Private sector | Between £500 & £1,000 (please contact us for more information) |
Definition of a specialist organisation
| Arts | An organisation who specialises in delivering services using the arts in prison or community settings. |
| Families | An organisation whose main stated purpose is to provide services for families of people with experience of the criminal justice system. |
| Older people | A voluntary organisation whose main stated purpose is to provide services for older people with experience of the criminal justice system. For this purpose, we're using HMPPS definition of an older person, which is someone over 50 years of age. |
| People with lived experience in organisational leadership | A voluntary organisation that either has a chief executive, 50% of the senior management team, or 50% of the trustee board that identifies as having lived experience of the criminal justice system. |
| Racially-minoritised people | A voluntary organisation that provides services designed specifically for, and open only to, racially-minoritised people, or a racially-minoritised led voluntary organisation (in which 50% of the leadership roles are held by racially-minoritised people). |
| Women | A women-specific voluntary organisation that provides services designed specifically for, and open only to, women with experience of the criminal justice system. |