Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 922 | 6 March 2026

Light lunch

 

 

In this issue...

 

Clinks has published the first in a series of blogs previewing the findings of State of the Sector 2025. This first blog explores the political context within which the voluntary sector is operating, including cautious optimism around the Sentencing Bill and the Women’s Justice Board, alongside serious concerns about increased demand on services without a corresponding increase in funding. Read here

Join us for the State of the Sector launch webinar to hear more [31 March | 10:00 - 11:30 | online | free]. Book here

Clinks is seeking a senior leader from the voluntary sector to sit on the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) as the seat holder for small organisations. This person will work for a small voluntary organisation (with an income of under £250k) that supports people in the criminal justice system. They will be able to reflect the reality of delivering services through small, locally based organisations, and the opportunities and strengths of, as well as the challenges to, this approach. Find out more and apply by [19 March]

Clinks is collaborating with ‘The Prison Photographer’, Andy Aitchison, to provide its members with access to high-quality, ethical imagery from inside UK prisons. Clinks members can download three free images from Andy’s archive of over 5,000 authentic images taken in more than 40 prisons over the past 20 years, to use for any of their organisation’s needs for the next 12 months. Andy’s guest blog explores why access to authentic imagery matters and describes how you can access the offer. Read the blog and find out more here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: Anne Peaker 2026

The NCJAA is excited to invite you to our annual Anne Peaker lecture [25 March | 16:30 - 19:00 | London & Online | free]. At this year's event, we are delighted to be joined by keynote speaker Professor Shadd Maruna, who will present a lecture entitled: What Happens if the Art Stops? Why sustained access to creativity is a matter of justice. 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

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

MEMBER FOCUS: Alabaster Coaching 

Alabaster Coaching runs BREATHE, a trauma-informed programme for mothers who have been involved in the justice system. Delivered in small groups or one-to-one, the seven-session course gives women a safe and supportive space to reflect on their experiences, reconnect with their identity as a mother, and look ahead with hope and purpose. Find out more here

Shannon Trust marked Dyscalculia Day on Tuesday, an important opportunity to raise awareness of dyscalculia and other specific learning difficulties in maths. People with dyscalculia may struggle with number sense, arithmetic, managing money and telling the time, making everyday tasks such as budgeting feel overwhelming. Find out more here

New figures from the Howard League for Penal Reform reveal that boys in the three prisons in England holding children spent around 20 hours a day in their cells throughout 2025, while receiving far less than the legally required 15 hours of education per week. Read more here

Clinks members Back on Track, the Prison Phoenix Trust, Lincolnshire Action Trust, Give a Book and Prison Radio Association all marked World Book Day, highlighting the benefits of reading for people in prison. Read HMIP’s report ‘Reading for rehabilitation’ here

Prisoners Abroad are hosting an art exhibition at the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge, displaying artwork created by people they have supported on their return to the UK after prison, as part of an ongoing research project. It is open to the public on weekdays [16 March - 2 April | 08:45 - 16:45 | Cambridge | free] with no booking required. Find out more here

The Probation Institute is hosting a roundtable exploring how technology and artificial intelligence are currently shaping rehabilitation work [17 March | online | free]. The session will examine what challenges remain unresolved and where there is a need for greater clarity, confidence, or guidance for practitioners and policymakers. Book here

Health and Justice UK have announced the 13th Health and Justice Summit, taking place in Manchester this autumn [8 - 9 October | The Midland, Manchester]. This year’s theme, Interconnecting Health and Justice, will explore how health needs shape justice outcomes and how justice systems shape health outcomes, with a focus on diversion, rehabilitation, structural inequalities, and public health partnerships. Find out more here

The Welcome Directory is hosting a webinar on accommodation as part of its Spotlight: Pathways to Reducing Reoffending series [11 March | 19:30 - 21:00 | online | free]. Joined by expert speakers from Hope into Action and Langley Trust, the session will explore the importance of finding accommodation for people leaving prison, how to effectively signpost and offer appropriate support, and community-focused solutions to reducing reoffending. Find out more and register here

The Wales Safer Communities Network has a range of training and events taking place this month, covering topics including child sexual abuse, supporting victims and witnesses, mate crime, trauma-informed education, and neuroinclusion. Sessions are available online and in person across Wales throughout March. Find out more and book here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: ‘Degrading’ Strip-searches in Prisons

New analysis by the Human Rights Law Centre in Australia has found that more than 15,000 strip-searches are conducted in prisons each month, yet just 0.58% result in any contraband being found. The report calls for the practice to be banned and replaced with less invasive technology, noting that strip-searches disproportionately harm women, particularly those with experience of sexual and family violence. Read here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HMPPS Personnel with Lived Experience policy

Yesterday HMPPS released guidance and requirements ensuring that people with lived experience of the CJS, and who cannot obtain standard EL1/El2 vetting, can work with HMPPS where a role-specific risk management plan is approved. Appointments must go through a formal risk assessment process and approved roles are subject to mitigations and regular review. Read here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS OR TRAINING: SRAG Summit

The Social Recruitment Advocacy Group (SRAG) is hosting its next Summit at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester [13 May | Manchester]. The event brings together employers, colleges, skills providers and delivery partners to align training, funding and vacancies to help more people move into sustained work, including those with experience of the justice system. Find out more here

FUNDING: Improving Lives Through Advice 2026

The Access to Justice Foundation has opened applications for Improving Lives Through Advice 2026, a three-year unrestricted funding programme with a total of £3.9 million available. The programme supports organisations delivering free legal advice to communities most in need in London, the South East of England, Scotland, and Wales. Apply here by [16 March].

FUNDING: 2026 Summer Conference with Rosa

Rosa, the UK Fund for Women and Girls, will be hosting their 2026 Summer Conference on [16 - 17 June | online | free]. Day 1 will feature inspiring speakers from across the women and girls sector, with opportunities to connect and network. Day 2 will offer a range of free online training to help organisations tackle key challenges. Find out more here

FUNDING: Scurrah Wainwright Charity

The Scurrah Wainwright Charity supports charitable projects with an emphasis on social reform and tackling the root causes of social inequity. Trustees give priority to applicants working in the Yorkshire region, organisations do not need to be based in the region, but the project must directly benefit the Yorkshire community and demonstrate local control and access to the grant. To find out more, click here

FUNDING: Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has opened the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund. The fund supports community-based organisations to strengthen services, transform day provision, help individuals live independently, and prevent homelessness and rough sleeping. To find out more and apply, click here by [12:00 | 31 March].

RESOURCE: Free resources for London-based charities

The Directory of Social Change (DSC), with the support of City Bridge Foundation, is offering a range of free resources to small London-based charities with an annual turnover of £100k or less. Resources available include online conferences, digital publications, training courses, and access to Funds Online, a database of over 8,000 potential funders. To find out if your organisation is eligible, find out more here

RESOURCE: Volunteering Doesn’t Happen by Accident

NAVCA, the membership body for local infrastructure organisations, has published a new guide to support volunteer centres and local VCSE infrastructure organisations to develop their local volunteering systems. The guide covers finding funders, safeguarding, volunteer training, and how to place more power in the hands of volunteers. Find out more here

PUBLICATION: Improving collaboration between police forces and Women’s Centres

The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls has shared a new evidence and practice briefing from the Centre for Justice Innovation, exploring how police forces and Women’s Centres can work more effectively together to improve outcomes for women in contact with the justice system. Drawing on real-life examples, the briefing offers practical strategies to strengthen partnership working, including in cases involving domestic abuse and exploitation. Click here to read the full briefing

PUBLICATION: PET's Impact in 2025

Prisoners’ Education Trust has published its 2025 impact report, highlighting a year of significant achievements in the face of ongoing challenges in the prison education system. In 2025, PET funded 1,741 courses for people in prison, took 1,261 calls on its Advice Line, and reached the milestone of 50,000 course awards since its founding 36 years ago. Read the report here

PUBLICATION: The Mental Health and Wellbeing of Prison Educators

The University and College Union (UCU) has published a new report on the mental health and wellbeing of prison educators working in the UK, produced by Education Support. The report shines a light on the conditions in which prison teachers work, the challenges they face in their roles, and the support they need to deliver good quality education in prison. Read the report here

PUBLICATION: The Career Experiences of Black Prison Educators

The University and College Union (UCU) has published a new report on the career experiences of Black prison educators, produced by Prof. Nicola Rollock and colleagues at Nianro Consulting. The report explores the specific challenges faced by Black prison teachers and makes the case for better support and recognition for those working in these vital roles. Read the report here

OPPORTUNITY: Peer support group session for London chairs

Are you keen to talk through issues with other chairs who share similar challenges and can share experiences and ideas? Join the Association of Chairs for a face-to-face peer support group session in London [17 March | 17:30 – 20:00 | Central London | free]. This session, co-hosted with the Network of Women Chairs, will offer you support and help you build a network of chairs you can call on for ideas and encouragement. Find out more and book here

OPPORTUNITY: Unlock Leadership Programme 2026

Unlock is recruiting for its 2026 Leadership Programme, a 12-month structured programme designed to support people with lived experience of the criminal justice system to step into leadership, research and policy spaces. To find out more on what the programme includes, click here

OPPORTUNITY: CLIC Research opportunity

Catch22 is seeking proposals from qualified research consultants or teams to conduct an external evaluation of their Care Leavers Into Careers (CLIC) programme. The evaluation will assess the programme’s effectiveness in supporting care experienced young people to access sustainable employment, with a particular focus on their experiences and financial management during their first month of work. Find out more here

OPPORTUNITY: Editorial Development Scheme: Prison Service Journal

The Prison Service Journal has launched its first Editorial Development Scheme, offering three fixed-term placements on its Editorial Board for a period of two years. Find out more and download the application pack here

The Alliance for Youth Justice is seeking a new Chair [Voluntary] to lead our experienced Board of Trustees. The Chair will provide leadership and strategic oversight, foster an inclusive board culture, and support the Chief Executive Officer to build on AYJ’s success. We are seeking a strategic and collaborative leader committed to social justice and positive change for children and young people in the youth justice system. We particularly welcome applications from racially minoritised applicants, younger leaders, people with lived experience of the youth justice system, and those from working-class or socio-economic backgrounds. To learn more, download the recruitment pack and apply by emailing recruitment@ayj.org.uk. Find out more and apply here by [16 March]

The Elizabeth Fry Charity are looking for a passionate individual to join their board as a Trustee [Voluntary, Reading]. The Elizabeth Fry Charity provide support to women, mostly on licence from prison, who have a range of complex needs. Through their work, they help women to begin to address the issues they face, improve their lives and reduce the likelihood of further involvement in the criminal justice system. Trustees, both individually and collectively, use their skills, knowledge, expertise and contacts to govern the charity, safeguard its assets and apply them as efficiently and effectively as possible to further its charitable objectives. If you are passionate about the work they do and feel you can contribute to the success of their charity apply now! Find out more and apply here by [26 August]

Senior Specialist Caseworker (Emergency Department) with St Giles Trust [£30,000, Newham, Full Time]; Employment Support Worker with Achieve [£26,485–£30,012, CA14 4EW, Part Time]; Prison Employment Adviser with Achieve [£26,485–£30,012, M60 9AH, Full Time]; Finance Officer with Social Interest Group [£31,000, N1 1TY, Full Time]; Engagement Worker with Social Interest Group [£27,000, SW2 5HW, Full Time]; Prison Employment Adviser with Achieve [£26,485–£30,012, HMP Lancaster Farms, Full Time]; Housing Support Worker with Nacro [£26,584, Bangor, Part Time]; Housing Support Worker – Edmonton with Nacro [£29,654, London, Full Time]; Area Engagement Officer – Midlands with Clinks [£30,406, Midlands, Part Time]; Family Service Manager with Social Interest Group [£38,000, L9 7LH, Full Time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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