Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 917 | 30 January 2026

Light lunch

In this issue...

Clinks’ Annual Conference brought together the sector to celebrate the work of the past year. Highlights from the day included an emotive performance by Dance United Yorkshire and an insightful conversation between Paula Harriott, Phil Maguire, Anne Fox and Lord Timpson for Prison Radio's Secret Life of Prisons podcast.

The day was capped off with a heartfelt farewell to our outgoing CEO, Anne Fox, and a warm welcome to Dr Summer Alston-Smith, who takes up the role in March. Please look out for future editions of Light Lunch for further takeaways from the conference. 

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: Lets Eat Grandma!

The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance are working in partnership with the Royal Literary Fund to deliver this workshop [5 February 2026 | 10:00-12:00 | online | free], which will help you produce more-effective writing, through a staged process of editing and proofreading. Book here

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 two-part entry-level training course [3 & 4 February | online | from £95]. Book here

To accompany a new evidence review by Dr Tom McNeil (The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls), this event [3 February | 12:00 - 13:00 | online | free] will explore what the academic evidence tells us about how voluntary sector organisations can meaningfully influence public opinion on crime and build support for prevention, rehabilitation and justice reform. Book here

MEMBER FOCUS: The Esther Project

The Esther Project is a community-led organisation empowering women facing some of life’s toughest challenges — including domestic abuse, poor mental health, addiction, homelessness, and involvement with the criminal justice system. They provide safe, supported housing, trauma-informed care, and a welcoming women’s hub where recovery, skills building, and peer support can flourish. Through creative activities, mentoring, practical help, and opportunities to rebuild confidence and independence, they help women move from crisis to stability and hope for the future. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Anti-Racism Workforce Development

bthechange CIC has been appointed as the training provider for a new anti-racism workforce development programme commissioned by the Criminal Justice Board for Wales. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: APPG on Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse

Respect UK held their first All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse meeting of 2026, facilitated by APPG Chair Jess Asato MP, and Vice-Chair Baroness Bertin. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Deborah Denis Steps Down

After 15 years with the Lucy Faithful Foundation – including the past six as Chief Executive – Deborah Denis has made the considered decision to resign from her role in July 2026 to take up a new challenge. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Justice Select Committee Discuss Gender-Specific Services

Working Chance appeared before the Justice Select Committee to discuss rehabilitation and reoffending. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Justice AI Hackathon

An AI tool to help reduce the number of prison recalls by identifying at-risk leavers took the top prize at Catch22’s GoodTech Ventures' Justice AI Hackathon. Other concepts developed by teams included a platform designed to better connect prisons, community organisations, and service users, as well as a tool that focused on workforce welfare by embedding justice-specific wellbeing and safety into everyday systems and workflows. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: UC Changes

Join Society Matters for an interactive workshop exploring how April’s Universal Credit changes impact health & disability [11 February | 14:00 - 15:00 | online | free]. Book here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: UK’s First Prison Reading Laureate

Bestselling author Lee Child is the UK’s first Prison Reading Laureate. As Prison Reading Laureate, Lee will lead reading and poetry workshops in prisons and work with education and library teams to support literacy and engagement. Find out more

FUNDING: Small Grants Scheme

HMPPS are piloting a Small Grants Scheme for awarding individual grants to Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations operating and registered in UK. The grants are available only within selected prisons and probation regions. To apply visit find a grant and search for HMPPS Small Grants Scheme 

PUBLICATION: Youth Justice Statistics: 2024 to 2025

Youth justice annual statistics for 2024 to 2025 for England and Wales. Read here

PUBLICATION: UK Poverty 2026

Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)'s new UK Poverty 2026 report highlights how children suffer the highest rates of poverty within the different sections of the population. Around 3 in 10 children are living in poverty. Read here

PUBLICATION: CASS+ in Devon and Cornwall

The Centre for Justice Innovation have launched new research on how CASS+, an advice and support service in Devon and Cornwall, supports those representing themselves in the family courts. Read here

PUBLICATION: CourtWatch London

Transform Justice's brand new CourtWatch London report, the culmination of more than 2300+ magistrates’ court hearings observed, recorded and analysed, explores efficiency issues in London magistrates' courts. Read here

OPPORTUNITY: Economic Justice Funding Programme

City Bridge Foundation are seeking a Design Partner to help us shape our new Economic Justice funding programme from March this year. Find out more 

OPPORTUNITY: Women's Resettlement Consultation

One Small Thing are seeking views from practitioners on support available for women in prison pre release, and post release in the community. Take part here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Outreach Support Worker with Imagine Independence [£23,870, Sefton, full time]; Volunteer Coordinator with Change for Good [£30,111, London, part time]; Trust Fundraising Executive with Prisoners Abroad [£28,768, London, full time]; Support Coach with Social Interest Group [£27,000, London, full time]; Women’s Wellbeing Support Worker with Imagine Independence [£23,850, Liverpool, full time]; Floating Support Worker with Imagine Independence [£23,870, Merseyside, full time]; People Data & Reward Officer with St Giles Trust [£25,000–£28,000, UK based (hybrid), part time]; Employment Support Worker with Achieve [£26,485–£30,012, Crewe, full time]; People & Organisational Development Officer with St Giles Trust [£25,000–£28,000, UK based (hybrid), full time]; Young Women and Girls Practitioner with Abianda [£30,756, London, full time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK

EXTRA INFORMATION

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