Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 642 | 10th July 2020

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS SURVEY: the impact of Covid-19

Over three months since lockdown began, we are opening our Covid-19 survey again, to ask about how things have changed for your organisation over the course of the pandemic and your long-term concerns. The evidence from our Covid-19 surveys is vital because it enables us to more effectively influence key decision makers on your behalf, raise the issues that are important to you and ensure that our support meets your needs. Help build on the evidence base about the impact of Covid-19 by taking 10-15 minutes to respond to our latest survey. This will help us build a better case for emergency and long-term support for organisations like yours to weather this crisis. The survey closes on 15th July 2020. Take the survey here

CLINKS EVENT: health and justice response to Covid-19

This online network meeting is for voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice system that deliver health-based services [14th July, 10:00 - 11:30 | online | free]. Come together to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on service delivery, individuals, contract and grant requirements during these challenging circumstances and the sustainability of the voluntary sector working in health and justice. If you deliver services to people in contact with the criminal justice system relating to any of the following: substance and/or alcohol misuse, mental health, physical health, or disability – this online meeting is for you. Book your place here

CLINKS BLOG: grants for specialist women’s organisations

Women’s Network Coordinator, Jackie Lowthian has written a blog with details of the recently launched Ministry of Justice grants programme for specialist women’s organisations and an update on our influencing work. To support the Ministry of Justice to achieve the aims set out in the Female Offender Strategy, and in recognition of the essential services provided by specialist women’s organisations, it is inviting applications for one-off grants for core costs. Grants between £30,000, and £60,000 are available for specialist voluntary organisations providing gender-specific services for women in the criminal justice system across England and Wales. £2.5 million in total will be distributed in 12 regional lots, aligned with the probation regions. The deadline to apply is 10th August. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: accommodation needs

HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) has called on the government to create a national cross-departmental strategy to address the accommodation needs of people in the criminal justice system, in its recent thematic inspection of accommodation. The inspection is based on visits of probation services, service user engagement, scrutiny of individual cases and a call for evidence, which Clinks responded to. The report demonstrates how the lack of accommodation for people in the criminal justice system, underfunding of services and poor cross-agency working has led to high numbers of people leaving prison homeless, and a clear link between unsettled accommodation and reoffending. Clinks has called for a national strategy for some time and will seek to work with HMIP and the government to make it a reality and ensure voluntary sector involvement. Read the report here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: digital technology in prisons

The Prisoner Learning Alliance has published a briefing, Digital Divide – Lessons from abroad which looks at examples of effective use of digital technology in prisons around the world. It includes examples of uses of technology from Spain to Australia, and in-cell tablets to virtual-reality headsets. It also makes recommendations for the use of technology in prisons in England and Wales. Read it here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: experiences of the pandemic

Our Covid Voices is an open platform from National Voices for everyone to share their experience of living during the pandemic. National Voices wants to ensure that the views, experiences, and thoughts of those working and living in the criminal justice system are represented. The experiences shared on the website will create a clearer picture of what is happening now for people from all walks of life. National Voices will use the insight generated to influence national and local decision-makers. This will make it easier for them to develop policies and services that have a positive and tangible impact on people’s lives. Share your experiences here

FUNDING: addiction and recovery

Collective Voice is delighted to announce new funding available to support treatment and recovery organisations through this challenging time, which will be distributed on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport and the Department of Health and Social Care. The Addiction and Recovery Covid-19 Response Fund will support additional or adapted drug and/or alcohol support necessitated by the crisis – for service users or family members already supported, or for those not yet accessing drug/alcohol treatment. Organisations can apply for grants between £5,000 and £25,000. Find out more and apply before 22nd July here

FUNDING: charity survival

The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust has launched a £10m Charity Survival Fund to provide core funding to help charities, especially small and medium sized, to offset lost income in the current financial year due to the impact of Covid-19. The fund is open to UK registered charities that work across: health and wellbeing; welfare and education; or arts and culture. Maximum grant size is dependant on annual income and ranges from £5,000 to £250,000. Find out more and apply before 27th July here

FUNDING: legal action

The Baring Foundation has funding available for organisations using legal action to protect vulnerable individuals/communities from the pandemic. The foundation welcomes applications from organisations working in the criminal justice system. The fund will support legal action in all its forms – empowering, persuading, challenging – that seeks to protect vulnerable individuals and communities from the impact of Covid-19 and the response to the pandemic from public authorities, businesses, and communities. Grants of up to £40,000 for one year are available for organisations with relevant and demonstrable legal expertise in the areas they work in and who have an annual income of less than £5m. Find out more and apply before 11th August here

FUNDING: Covid-19 support

The Rothschild Foundation has launched its Covid-19 Support Fund to support voluntary sector organisations in Buckinghamshire who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus crisis and those who have experienced significant increased demand for their service to navigate the next 12 months. Organisations can apply for grants between £5,000 and £50,000. Funding will be prioritised for people experiencing hardship, and for more vulnerable groups who are likely to be disproportionately affected by the impact of Covid-19. Services addressing mental health, social isolation and financial hardship, including homelessness, are encouraged to apply. Applications can be made through the foundation’s online portal from 6th July until December 2020. Read more details and full application guidance here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: core and specialist courses

Taye Training is offering live online training tailored to voluntary organisations working in criminal justice. Delivered by experts with connected experience, Taye offers core courses often mandated by commissioners including safeguarding, risk management, managing challenging behaviour and specialist courses such as working with people convicted of sexual offences and working with people who have complex needs and substance misuse. “I have booked several face to face and live online courses with Taye and every single time I have received nothing but positive feedback. Taye’s courses are very relatable to our work setting as the trainers contact you and tailor the courses to your business needs.” – Stephanie, Catch 22. Quote clinks2020 when booking for a 20% discount on your first course. See the full list of courses here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: e-courses

Restorative Justice for All (RJ4All) offers a number of e-courses, including: resolving conflicts and addressing group violence; fighting Covid-19’s impact; and preventing violent youth radicalisation. RJ4All specialises in designing and providing e-courses for professionals, young people and organisations working in various fields including criminal justice, equality, health, human rights, youth work, research and evidence-based policy. RJ4All is a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and YouthPass provider meaning that all its e-courses, events and workshops are accredited. Browse available e-courses here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Senior Commissioning and Policy Officers with Office of the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner [Bristol], Link Worker with YSS [Hereford], Communications Internship with Why me? Victims for Restorative Justice [Home Based/London], HR Manager with Working Chance [London], Senior Practitioner (Programmes) with The Lucy Faithfull Foundation [Epsom or Bromsgrove], Active Recovery Coordinator with Humankind [Leeds], Specialist Housing Advisor x 2 - Prisons and Community with St. Mungo’s [HMP Wandsworth / HMP Pentonville]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Cuddly toy unicorn. 68% off. Details
  • Tip II: Anti-drip paint kits. 42% off. Details
  • Tip III: Four-person tent. 40% off. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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