Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 919 | 13 February 2026

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS EVENT: 2025 State of the Sector Launch

This webinar launches our 2025 State of the Sector (SOTS) Report [31 March | 10:00 - 11:30 | online | free], where we will hear reflections from Clinks and NCVO about key trends and takeaways, highlighting the challenges faced by the sector, examples of good practice, future risks and opportunities, and recommendations for change. Book here

CLINKS NEWS: Membership renewals are coming up

We’re getting ready for our annual Clinks membership renewals, with renewal emails starting to land with member contacts from Monday 16 February. Ahead of this, we’ve shared a blog setting out what to expect from the renewal process, why we’re asking all members to respond (whether renewing or not), and how to check who your organisation’s member contact is. Find out more

CLINKS NEWS: #Clinks26 Blog

In our latest blog, Molly shares her first-hand experience at #Clinks26, exploring how lived experience shapes the justice sector through inspiring performances, workshops, and conversations. Read here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE: Mentoring Scheme

NCJAA is now accepting applications for mentees to join the professional mentoring scheme for 2025/26. The scheme provides emerging arts and criminal justice practitioners with specialist guidance and professional development through a free one-to-one mentoring relationship with an expert in the field. The application deadline is [28 February 2026]. Find out more and apply

CLINKS EVENT: Families Network Meeting

Join the upcoming Clinks Families Network Meeting [25 February | 14:00 - 16:00 | online | free] with Josh MacAlister MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Children & Families) to raise any questions about the CAPI (Children Affected by Parental Imprisonment) agenda, or any other related matters, directly to the Minister. Book here

CLINKS EVENT: #IWD26

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, Clinks is creating a space to hear from women across our membership and partner organisations, sharing their personal experiences, journeys, and the work they do to support women in the criminal justice system [9 March | 11:00 - 12:30 | online | free]. Book here

MEMBER FOCUS

North Wales Women's Centre is a safe place for the multi-service provision of information, support, advocacy, training and referral on issues relating to work, health and well-being. We also provide confidential crisis support around issues such as homelessness, domestic abuse and difficulties which may result in, or have resulted in, women breaking the law. Find out more

MEMBER’S NEWS: Welsh Charities Week

This Welsh Charities Week / Wythnos Elusennau Cymru, we’re celebrating the incredible work of community & voluntary organisations supporting people in contact with the criminal justice system across Wales. Find out more about our work in Wales here

MEMBER’S NEWS: 10th Anniversary & Conference

Unlock Graduates marked their 10th anniversary at their Annual Conference this week. See more

MEMBER’S NEWS: Scholar Mentoring

Longford Trust's latest blog highlights the importance of mentoring for their Scholars. Read here

MEMBER’S NEWS: Parental Course

Starting from next week, the first Kids Matter course in the community for male prison leavers will begin. Find out more

MEMBER’S NEWS: CWJ Strategy

Centre for Women's Justice's new 2026-2029 Strategic Plan outlines how they will continue to drive systemic change through strategic litigation, influence policy, protect human rights frameworks and improve justice for women and girls. Read here

MEMBER’S NEWS: WRNA Expansion

To support the launch of the WRNA Expansion Programme, the National Women's Justice Coalition have published a new blog, co-written by colleagues from The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls and Henry Smith Foundation. Read here

MEMBER’S EVENT: Forgiveness in the World of Outrage

Marina Cantacuzino, acclaimed author, broadcaster, and founder of The Forgiveness Project, will join the organisation for an inspiring online talk [22 February | 16:00 | online | free]: “Forgiveness in the World of Outrage.” Book here

MEMBER’S EVENT: Shift the Dial on CJS Change

The Better Justice Partnership (Action for Race Equality, Criminal Justice Alliance, Howard League for Penal Reform, Nacro, and Transform Justice) are hosting a webinar [3 March | 14:00 - 15:30 | online | free]: "How can we shift the dial on criminal justice system change?" Book here  

MEMBER’S TRAINING: Playwriting in Criminal Justice Settings

Learn how Clean Break facilitates playwriting workshops with women in criminal justice and community settings, while examining the personal and social value of this work [London]. Book here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE: UAS Competition

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), on behalf of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), has launched a new themed competition to tackle the illegal use of drones around prisons. Find out more

CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Transgender Prison Concerns

Two equalities watchdogs have criticised the Scottish government's policy for housing transgender prisoners. Read here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Knife Support Plans

The Ministry of Justice and the Home Office have announced that every child caught carrying a knife in England and Wales will now receive a 'mandatory targeted plan' designed to prevent reoffending and address underlying causes such as trauma or exploitation. Backed by over £320 million in new funding for Youth Justice Services, the initiative is part of a broader commitment to halve knife crime within a decade and strengthen coordinated national efforts to reduce youth violence. Read here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Modern Youth Justice Service

The government sets out its reforms and plans to modernise the youth justice system in full. Read here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE: YJB Response

Stephanie Roberts-Bibby, Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Board (YJB), responds to the reforms above. Read here 

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: SRAG Summit

All things social value impact, social recruitment and strategic partnerships. Whether you're a seasoned Social Value professional or just starting out, the Social Recruitment Advocacy Group Summits inform best practice in Social Recruitment for social impact across all industries and sectors, and provide opportunities for connection and celebration [19 February | 9:30 - 15:30 | Epsom | free]. Book here

FUNDING: Women’s Community Support Services

Join the Ministry of Justice’s Probation Sourcing Team for a focussed market engagement session [26 February | 13:30 - 14:30 | online | free] to support preparations for the 2026 women’s community support services procurement. This webinar is for organisations interested in future Women’s Community Support services. Book here

FUNDING: HMPPS Small Grants

HMPPS have launched new Small Grants Projects: 

  • Three intensive codesign projects working directly with women who have been recalled, sentenced, or remanded. These projects will capture lived experience across the Women’s Estate, delivered across multiple sites, and will include women released into Wales. Each project will use coproduction to identify what works, where gaps exist, and how services can better support women through custody and into the community.
  • One local community focused grant for third sector organisations in Tyisha, Llanelli, aimed at strengthening community based rehabilitation. This funding will support the creation or enhancement of a community connector role or service, helping people on probation access local opportunities, navigate support systems, and build positive relationships within their neighbourhoods.
  • Three pilot projects will test new Official Prison Visitors (OPV) models across a women’s prison, a London youth estate, and a site for vulnerable prisoners, focusing on groups who are most isolated and least likely to receive visits. Together, they will use coproduction to understand what works, identify gaps, and generate evidence to shape a more inclusive, effective national OPV service. 

To apply, search HMPPS Small Grants Scheme here

RESOURCE: Restorative Justice Podcast

In this episode Transform Justice unpack restorative justice - what it is, how it works, and why it can be so hard to access. Listen here

PUBLICATION: Ex-Service Personnel Before the CJS

 Nacro have launched a new report exploring the experiences of ex-service personnel who have had contact with the criminal justice system. The report focuses on their experiences before contact with the justice system. Read here

PUBLICATION: Lay Observers Annual Report

Lay Observers are unpaid public appointees who monitor the treatment of those held in court custody, providing independent oversight of all areas of the court custody and transfer process. They regularly visit and report on custody suites in England and Wales. Read the annual report

OPPORTUNITY: LGBTQIA+ Book Proposal

Dr Samantha M Walkden is finalising a book proposal around queer history, contemporary issues and experiences in Forensic Psychology. If you identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and you’ve been involved in CJ system at any level, find out more here.

OPPORTUNITY: Robin Corbett Award

Applications open Monday 16 February for The Robin Corbett Award 2026. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Finance Administrator with Changing Tunes [£30,812–£32,918, Bristol, part time]; Prison Employment Adviser with Achieve [£26,485–£30,012, HMP Lancaster Farms, full time]; Caretaker with Social Interest Group [£27,000, Bermondsey, full time]; Forensic Psychologist with Social Interest Group [£50,000, Bermondsey, part time]; Caretaker with Social Interest Group [£27,000, Elephant & Castle, full time]; Custody Engagement & Diversion Keyworker with The Nelson Trust [£25,000–£27,000, Swansea, full time]; Custody Engagement & Diversion Keyworker with The Nelson Trust [£25,000–£27,000, Bridgend, full time]; Project Leads – England & Scotland with My Life [Voluntary, Remote, part time]; Family Service Manager with Social Interest Group [£38,000, HMP Altcourse, full time]; Fundraising and Partnerships Manager with Working Chance [£40,000–£42,000, London, part time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK

EXTRA INFORMATION

About Clinks Light Lunch

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