Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 915 | 16 January 2026

Light lunch

In this issue...

This RR3 Special Interest Group reviewed the Whole Systems Approach to supporting women in contact with the criminal justice system, combining multi-agency collaboration, women’s centres, diversion pathways, and lived experience expertise to prevent reoffending and tackle the social, health, and economic challenges they face. Read here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: Anne Peaker Lecture 2026

We are delighted that Professor Shadd Maruna will be giving the 2026 Anne Peaker lecture [25 March | London]. More information and booking details will follow.

Join us for Clinks' Annual Conference [28 January | 09:30 - 16:00 | London | from £60]. Thanks to our increased venue capacity, members are now invited to bring more than two delegates from their organisation. Book now [deadline for ticket sales 25 January]

Do you have frontline staff or volunteers who are new to working or volunteering in your organisation and want to increase their understanding of women in the criminal justice system? If so, join us for this 2-part entry-level training course. Book now

We are delighted to invite you to the Fair Chance Business Alliance (FCBA) and Clinks co-hosted, exclusive preview webinar [29 January | online] for the ‘Unite 1K’ campaign, ahead of its national launch post Easter 2026. Find out more

MEMBER FOCUS: HM Pasties 

HM Pasties provide in prison and community based employability focused programmes of support, utilising the opportunity to gain work experience in their bakery. The support includes gaining relevant food production and preparation qualifications along with mentoring to find work in the food production, catering and related industries. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Lollipop in Parliament and on BBC

Birth Companions took a film screening of Lollipop to Parliament to facilitate panel discussion on maternal imprisonment and children’s social care reform, with MPs and filmmakers. Find out more and watch on iPlayer

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Healthy Eating & Living Programme Discount

This January, Recoop's 6-week Healthy Eating & Living Programme is available at a 20% discounted rate. The self-delivered programme equips gym staff across the prison estate to support healthier habits, increased movement and sustainable lifestyle change. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Naloxone Support

Change Grow Live's Executive Director, Vicki Markiewicz, spoke to Metro about why access to naloxone, clear information and fast routes into support matter more than ever. Read here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: New Choir in Guys Marsh

Liberty Choir are launching a new programme at HMP Guys Marsh in Dorset every Tuesday morning. Find out more 

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Theatre in Bullingdon

Unlock Drama CIC has been awarded the DPS tender to partner with HMP Bullingdon, beginning next week. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Holloway Screening with Q&A

Ahead of the Clinks' Annual Conference, for anyone that missed the documentary 'Holloway' during its cinema release last year, you now have a chance to watch it online with a live Q&A digital screening [19 January | 19:00 | online | £5]. Book now

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Clause 35 Removed from Sentencing Bill

The Government has removed Clause 35 from the Sentencing Bill following a campaign co-ordinated by Pact and supported by more than 20 organisations across the sector. Clause 35 would have allowed probation workers to publish names and photos of people completing community sentences. An open letter, published in October and co-signed by organisations from across the sector, argued that the proposals would risk exposing children and families to harm and make it harder for people to rebuild their lives on release from prison. Find out more

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: APPG for Ending Homelessness Reaches Historic Milestone

As 2026 begins, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Ending Homelessness has reached 50 members for the first time in its history. Find out more

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Victims Given More Privacy

New rules on police requesting counselling notes come into force to give victims more privacy by blocking police from requesting counselling notes during investigations unless in exceptional circumstances. Find out more

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Shadow Justice Secretary Sacked 

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has been sacked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch over alleged Reform defection plot. Read here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS OR TRAINING: MEAM Training

Making Every Adult Matter announced new dates for their professional training. Book here 

FUNDING: North West Probation

Grant funding opportunity is available at North West Probation region under the HMPPS Small Grants Scheme to provide tailored support for individuals from minority ethnic communities in Cumbria. This grant will help to pilot new ways of working, gather insights, and establish a foundation for more comprehensive and inclusive support within the Criminal Justice System across this region. Available funding is up to £20,000. Deadline for applications [1 February 2026]. Search 'HMPPS Small Grant Scheme' here to find out more

FUNDING: Trauma Informed Resilience Project

Grant funding opportunities available at HMP Isis under the HMPPS Small Grants Scheme:  

Trauma informed resilience project – seeking a dynamic facilitator to run a trauma informed intervention for prisoners who demonstrate challenging behaviour which offers mindset workshops to address young prisoners view to violence. Available funding: £10,000. Deadline for applications [2 February 2026]. Search 'HMPPS Small Grant Scheme' here to find out more

FUNDING: Digital Media Skills Programme 

London Probation is seeking VCSE organisations to deliver a digital media skills programme for service users in Southwark PDU. The programme will offer hands-on experience in digital media, develop creative skills, support pathways into employment in the creative industries, and promote wellbeing. Deadline for applications [31 January 2026]. Search 'HMPPS Small Grant Scheme' here to find out more

FUNDING: Help The Homeless

Help the Homeless are a small grant-giving trust that help homeless people off of the streets and enable them to live healthy, independent lives. They are open to applications from small homeless charities for grants of [up to £5k]. This is for capital projects that aim to help homeless people rebuild their lives. To be eligible to apply, applicants must be registered charities with an annual turnover of under £500k, and 'unrestricted reserves' of under six months. Their next deadline for applications is [20 March 2026]. Find out more 

FUNDING: The Archer Trust

The Archer Trust is a UK charitable trust focused on providing grants to small charities where a small amount will make a big difference. The trust favour organisations working in areas of high unemployment and deprivation, and those which make good use of volunteers. Grants of [£1k-5k] are available to apply for. Find out more

FUNDING: The Big Give

Applications are open for The Big Give's Small Charity Week campaign. Apply by [11 February 2026] Find out more

RESOURCE: Transform Justice Podcast 

In this episode, Penelope and Rob reflect on the reforms, debates and missed opportunities that shaped the past year then look ahead to how current policy work and political priorities are likely to influence the justice landscape in 2026. They talk prisons, courts, criminal records and more. Listen here 

RESOURCE: Stages of Justice Podcast

Stages of Justice explores the current pressures on the prison system, including overcrowding, staff shortages, underfunding, and deteriorating living conditions. Within that context, the conversation focuses on how artists and organisations continue to deliver meaningful creative work inside prisons, and why this work remains vital. Listen here 

PUBLICATION: FDAC Eligibility Criteria

The Centre for Justice Innovation has published a new evidence and practice briefing which aims to support Family Drug and Alcohol (FDAC) practitioners and local authority colleagues in decision-making about which families are deemed eligible for and should be referred to FDAC. Read here

PUBLICATION: HMPPS Unlocked Graduates Scheme Retention

Independent analysis published by the Ministry of Justice provides the strongest evidence to date that the Unlocked Graduates model significantly improves the retention of Band 3 prison officers. Read here

PUBLICATION: Reading For Rehabilitation

The new thematic review Reading for Rehabilitation by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons places reading as central to rehabilitation and reducing reoffending. Read here

PUBLICATION: Employment in London after prison

The London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has published its report highlighting the challenges prison leavers face in accessing employment, and the impact this has on London’s economy. Read here

OPPORTUNITY: London Youth Achievement Awards

The London Youth Achievement Awards are an opportunity for the London Assembly, in close collaboration with the London Youth Assembly, to recognise the valuable impact of young people in the capital. Find out more

OPPORTUNITY: Matt Willis Documentary

Adferiad are involved in a project which aims to provide new opportunities for people in recovery living in South Wales as part of a BBC documentary. Find out more

OPPORTUNITY: TYT Charity of the Year

Transform Your Training is a national organisation built by people with lived experience across Criminal Justice, Social Care and Education. Their Charity of the Year will receive tailored support at no cost. Every charity they have supported previously has had different needs; yours may include access to their 90+ specialist courses, safeguarding advice, policy and practice guidance, or access to their Train the Trainer qualification and community. Find out more

OPPORTUNITY: Koestler Awards

Enter your art, music, writing into the Koestler Awards national competition. This year’s Themed Category is ‘Roots’. Find out more

OPPORTUNITY: National Campaigner Awards 2026

SMK National Campaigner Awards 2026 are now open. Each year, SMK celebrates the best campaigns and campaigners. Their interest is in finding those who have made change happen – most effectively, creatively, and courageously. Find out more

Independent Monitoring Boards are seeking volunteers across the country to perform a vital task: independent monitoring of prisons and immigration detention. In your role you will make regular visits to prison or immigration detention facilities, have full access to the establishment and communicate with any detained person you wish to, out of sight or hearing from staff, to voice any concerns. Your observations and insights will provide a reality check on what is happening rather than what is supposed to be happening. No previous experience is needed, and all training will be provided. They will pay travel and subsistence expenses and childcare/carer costs. [Find out more and apply here by 18 February 2026]

Elizabeth Fry Charity is seeking a dynamic individual to join their team. [£29,417 to £33,755, Part time, Reading]. In this role you will support residents remaining in the Reading area, both prior to their move on and for up to six months post move on. The aim is to support them living independently, with practical matters and signposting to additional support services within the community. The focus is to provide additional support to those residents and their successful move on from the Elizabeth Fry Charity. The role will include providing regular support to residents once they have left the Approved Premises for a period of approximately six months. [Find out more and apply here by 12 February 2026]

Brighton’s Women’s Centre is seeking a dynamic individual to join their team. [£27,490, Part time, Maidstone]. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative, forward-thinking partnership, combining holistic, patient-led care with trauma-informed values and support. In your role you will be responsible for a small caseload of women, providing 1-1 support around transitions into the next appropriate setting, which could mean another hospital, supported accommodation or independent living. Working with a women-centred, trauma-informed, holistic approach, creating safe, non-judgmental spaces to co-produce support across a range of pathway needs, including recognising domestic abuse and understanding healthy relationships, parenting and families, physical and mental health services. [Find out more and apply here by 26 January 2026] 

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

TRUSTEE with Finding Rhythms [Voluntary, London, part time]; SENIOR PRACTITIONER with Phoenix Futures [£27,835, London, full time]; WOMAN'S MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT WORKER (CROSBY, LIVERPOOL) with Imagine Independence [£23,870, Crosby, Liverpool, full time]; TRAINER PRACTITIONER with Wales Restorative Approaches Partnership CIC [£28,350–£30,030, Cardiff, full time]; PRISON FACILITATOR – HMP DRAKE HALL with Shannon Trust [£29,264, HMP Drake Hall, part time]; FAMILY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER (SCALE 2) with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£29,452, HMP Isis, part time]; FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER – 11 HOURS with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£25,642, HMP Coldingley, part time]; VISITS CENTRE ASSISTANT – 9 HRS with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£24,570, HMP The Verne, part time]; FAMILY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER (SCALE 2) with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£29,452, HMP Wandsworth, part time]; FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER – WEEKENDS with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£24,570, HMP Bullingdon, part time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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