Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 918 | 6 February 2026 (updated)

Light lunch

We’re resending this edition of Light Lunch due to broken links in the previous version - thank you for your patience!

In this issue...

Hosts Phil Maguire and Paula Harriott took to the stage with Anne Fox, CEO at Clinks and Lord James Timpson, Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending. Listen here

The Sentencing Act 2026 received Royal Assent in January, the culmination of a process kickstarted by the commissioning of David Gauke to lead the Independent Sentencing Review. We have provided updates on the review’s progress and the Act as it has moved through Parliament, and reiterate its key provisions, and their timeline for implementation in this blog. Read here  

In this guest blog, the Sentencing Academy introduces the Sentencing Hub: a new online resource bringing together clear, accessible, and evidence-based information on sentencing in England & Wales. Read here

This week we have welcomed to our 4 new trustees; Helen Cantrell, Matthew Hunnybun, Joshua Stunell and Mike Vigar as well as two new team members; Rachel Austin-Francis, Area Engagement Officer (South West & South Central) and Charlotte Howell, Area Engagement Officer (East of England).

We’re excited to invite voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice system to join our Area Engagement Criminal Justice Forums! These forums bring together people and organisations from across the criminal justice system in your area to share experiences, swap ideas, and tackle challenges together. Whether you’re a small grassroots project or a larger charity, our area engagement forums are a fantastic opportunity to make connections, stay informed, and have your voice heard across the evolving local criminal justice landscape. Book here

If you or your volunteers are new to the criminal justice system or working in prisons, these introductory online workshops will help you navigate the landscape with confidence. Book here

MEMBER FOCUS: Own Merit CIC

Founded in 2021 by Darryn Frost and Steve Gallant, Own Merit CIC began with a mission to address the prison-leaver homelessness crisis safely and cost-effectively. Since opening the first six-bedroom property in Northampton in May 2023, they have supported many individuals to live independent lives, with a focus on education, employment, and reconnecting with family and community. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Fitness & Employability Workshop

Join Cell Workout for their new Fitness & Employability Workshop in Doncaster, to gain a City & Guilds Qualification and to be linked up with local employers. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Through The Blue Showcase

Koestler Arts' new exhibition 'Through the Blue' is now open in Oxford. Through the Blue is a showcase of artwork, music and writing made in criminal justice settings in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey and entered into the 2025 Koestler Awards. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Midlands Merger

Clinks member Waythrough are set to merge with Aquarius in April 2026. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: #TimeToTalk

Time to Talk Day is the nation's biggest mental health conversation. Clinks members took to socials to join the conversation, including: Nacro, Prison Radio, Catch22 and Adferiad.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: UC Changes

From April 2026, new Universal Credit claimants with serious health conditions will receive significantly less financial support than those already on the system. Join Society Matters for an interactive workshop, 'How April’s Universal Credit Changes Impact Health & Disability' [11 February | 11:00 - 14:00 | online | free], covering Universal changes, its impact and how to get further support. Book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Understanding Retail Crime

Retail crime has risen up the public and political agenda, and is attracting media attention that is driving the idea of a growing “crime wave” on the British high street.  The headlines suggest that theft goes unpunished, while the Government is pursuing longer sentence lengths for shoplifting via the Crime and Policing Bill. Join Centre for Justice Innovation for 'Expert Voices: Understanding retail crime beyond the headlines' [26 February | 12:15 - 13:15 | online | free] exploring the realities of retail crime & what works to reduce it. Book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: AA Research Network Launch

Join National Appropriate Adult Network's Appropriate Adult Research Community (AARC) launch event [2 March | 17:30 - 18:30 | online | free] to connect, support and grow research engagement. Book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Working With Women Sex Workers

Basis Yorkshire is running two online CPD-certified training courses [3 March & 9 June | 10:00 - 15:30 | online | £90] which focuses on sharing best practice on working with women sex workers. Book here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Swifter Justice for Children

"Child victims will be better supported to understand their rights as a victim of crime and, more crucially, where to get the help they need to recover under plans for a new and improved Victims’ Code" Find out more

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Independent Review of the Criminal Courts II

Sir Brian Leveson has published part II of his independent review of the criminal courts. Find out more

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: IMB at Doncaster

Doncaster prison's Independent Monitoring Board found many men forced to share cells designed for one. Find out more

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS: Working To Support Women

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) are offering an information sessions [4 & 10 March | online | free] to charities and organisations that support women and girls convicted in a criminal or magistrates’ court. The session will include a focus on women and girls with convictions, who have been affected by grooming gangs, while remaining relevant and useful for all volunteers and charities supporting women with convictions. To book, email outreach@ccrc.gov.uk 

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS: Coastal Inequality, Health and Criminal Justice

Join the Academy for Social Justice's upcoming session [11 March | 16:00 - 17:15 | online | free] to explore how coastal communities experience distinct & persistent health inequalities, & why this matters for social justice services. Book here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS: Wales Safer Communities Conference

Wales Safer Communities Network are hosting the first annual Wales Safer Communities Conference [12 March | Cardiff]. Find out more

FUNDING: The Greggs Foundations

The Greggs Foundations’ ‘The Community Action fund’ offers grants of [£20k] for up to three years, to support action by UK organisations helping to tackle challenges facing local communities. Grants are awarded to not-for-profit community organisations based in one of their geographical focus areas, who can demonstrate a clear understanding of the issues facing their local area and delivering programmes that make a positive impact. Open to applications until [20 February | 12:00] in the following areas: Birmingham (B12), Dudley (DY5) and Middlesbrough. Find out more

FUNDING: Access to Justice

Access to Justice have launched a new 3-year unrestricted funding programme for organisations delivering free legal advice services in Wales, the Southeast of England and London. The aim of the programme is to increase access to justice for communities that need it most. Applications will open at 12:00 on 16 February and close on [16 March | 12:00] with grants due to start in June 2026. Find out more

RESOURCE: Prison Visits for Neurodivergent People

Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) worked with KeyRing Living Support Networks to create a new guide – available as text or video – to help neurodiverse people and their families feel prepared, informed, and confident when attending a visit. Read here

PUBLICATION: Bromley Briefing

The Prison Reform Trust's flagship publication brings together the latest facts about prisons and the people in them. Read here

PUBLICATION: Tackling Drug Harm in Prisons

In the National Audit Office's latest report – The costs of tackling drug harms in prisons – the independent public spending watchdog examines how effectively the prison and health services are using public funds to tackle drug use within prisons, how funds are prioritised and how well the two services work together. Read here

PUBLICATION: Probation Services Pushed to the Brink

A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warns that the Probation Service in England and Wales is being placed under significant strain, seriously impeding its ability to protect the public and reduce reoffending rates. Read here

PUBLICATION: Youth Justice - Victims Evidence Pack

The Youth Justice Board published a new Victims Evidence and Insights Pack, bringing together evidence on child victimisation across England and Wales and its relationship with offending by children. Read here

PUBLICATION: British Journal of Community Justice

The CJA has co-edited a special edition of the British Journal of Community Justice, focused on the Sentencing Act and its wider impact. Read here

OPPORTUNITY: Welsh Voluntary Sector Exhibition

gofod3 is the biggest voluntary sector event of its kind in Wales [17 June | Cardiff | from £225+VAT]. If you have something to share with the voluntary sector in Wales, then you can now apply to host an event or take an exhibition stand. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Justice Financial Support Advisor with The Growth Company [£27,500, Yorkshire and the Humber, full time]; Activities Coordinator with Social Interest Group [£30,400, Havering, full time]; Careers Adviser with Achieve [£26,485–£30,012, HMP Stocken, full time]; Prison Employment Adviser with Achieve [£26,485–£30,012, Rochdale, full time]; CIAG Adviser with Achieve [£26,485–£30,012, HMP Onley, full time]; CIAG Adviser with Achieve [£26,485–£30,012, HMP Lincoln, full time]; Treasurer with Prison Phoenix Trust [Voluntary, UK & Ireland, part time]; Trust and Grants Fundraiser with Women in Prison [£42,225, Remote (UK), part time]; Prison Facilitator – HMP Wayland with Shannon Trust [£29,264, HMP Wayland, part time]; Family Support Group Volunteer with Prisoners Abroad [Voluntary, York & North East, part time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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