'Payment by results: What does it mean for voluntary organisations working with offenders?' is a free morning seminar [14^th September, London] which will provide an opportunity to explore and discuss payment by results, how is applies to work with offenders, the potential implications for the Sector, and how it might be used to best effect. Book your place here

CLINKS NEWS: new Chair announced

Clinks is delighted to announce the appointment of Dame Anne Owers OBE as our new Chair. She will take up the post in January 2011. Anne is prominent across the Criminal Justice System of England & Wales for her role as HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (2001-2010) and as a committed human rights campaigner. Read the full story at Clinks Press Releases

CLINKS NEWS: new website launched

We have now launched our new website, where you’ll find everything you need to know about Clinks and our work in supporting the VCS working with offenders. The new site features new staff profiles, better publications section, a search facility, the ability to become a member and subscribe to our ebulletins online, and an organic links section. Make sure you add us to your favourites at: www.clinks.org

CLINKS NEWS: Clinks on Twitter

Clinks are on Twitter! You can follow us @Clinks_Tweets, where we’ll continue our role of keeping you informed and up to speed with developments affecting the VCS in the Criminal Justice System. Even if you don’t use Twitter, you can view our Tweets at: www.twitter.com/Clinks_Tweets

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: You be the Judge

You be the Judge online has added three new real cases. The website allows you to view the evidence, mitigating factors and sentencing options available then make a decision. You can then compare this decision to the decision the magistrate/judge actually made and explore the reasons for it. Visit: CJSOnline

CONSULTATION: drug strategy

The Home Office has launched a targeted consultation on the new drug strategy. This provides an early opportunity for all stakeholders to contribute to the development of the new drug strategy. The consultation is structured around four key themes: preventing drug use; strengthening enforcement, criminal justice and legal framework; rebalancing treatment to support drug-free outcomes; and supporting recovery to break the cycle of drug addiction. The consultation is open for 6 weeks until 30 September at: Home Office

COMMISSIONING: Women’s services

Ministry of Justice is advertising for the provision of the Womens' Turnaround Service in Wales. The contract will enhance services to assist the rehabilitation and resettlement of women in the community, in line with the recommendations of the Corston Report and other research findings that demonstrate the benefits of investing in services to reduce the risk of offending behaviour by women. Potential Providers should present solutions that can link and add value to current services and promote benefits that will support the reducing re-offending pathways. These services would be available to women living in Wales, and those women held in prison in England who will be returning to Wales, through a combination of drop-in centre and outreach provision. The deadline for expression of interest is 15^th September. Email reference number 0525-1-Reducing Reoffending-SE-RFI to esourcing@noms.gsi.gov.uk

COMMISSIONING: Welfare to Work

DWP are advertising two opportunities to tender for their Welfare to Work programme. The first opportunity is around delivering 'Low Value Welfare to Work Training' or 'Low Value Provision' of less than £50k value. The second opportunity is around facilitating the delivery of the new framework. The framework will last for four years and has a closing date for applications of 27th September. Details at: DWP

FUNDING: for small organisations in South Yorkshire

The South Yorkshire Community Grants Programme has grants of up to £12,000 available for projects that provide learning opportunities that help participants move closer to the labour market. Applicants must be small voluntary and community organisations in South Yorkshire. A small organisation is classed as one with no more than nine full time employees with an annual turnover of £300,000 or less. Deadlines for receipt of applications are 10^th September 2010 and 8^th October 2010 at: HLC

FUNDING: to support young Black males

Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) has launched a small grant programme to help local voluntary and community groups working with Black boys and young men across England. The REACH Programme’s Community Engagement Project is offering £500 grants to 40 local groups that can host events which encourage and inspire young Black males to succeed in education and work. Details at: BTEG

FUNDING: for groups in North Staffordshire

The Robbie Williams Give it Sum Fund offers funding to voluntary organisations and community groups in North Staffordshire with an annual income of less than £150,000. The Fund awards grants of up to £15,000 per annum for a period of up to two years. The grants can be used to cover the running or capital costs of organisations and projects that tackle issues of poverty or disadvantage in North Staffordshire. The deadline for applications is 17^th September at: Comic Relief

FUNDING: for green projects

The Bristol Green Capital Community Challenge Fund aims to help communities improve the city and make it a low carbon city with a high quality of life. Grant assistance is available from £1,000 to £10,000. Activities which contribute to the aim of being a low carbon city with a high quality of life will be eligible. Projects will need to contribute directly to the aims of Green Capital Vision and to lead to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Assistance is available to charities, voluntary and community-based groups, and non-profit companies, based in, and working with communities in Bristol. The deadline for receipt of applications is 31 January 2011 at: Bristol City Council

EVENT: Sponsored Walk in aid of Prisoners’ Families and Friends Service

Prisoners’ Families and Friends Service (PFFS) invite everyone to join them in a sponsored walk to raise funds for their community based services for prisoners’ families. The walk will take place on the 7^th September, starting from their family centre on 20 Trinity Street, London at 12 noon and will last approximately two hours. It will cover five miles of London’s punitive past, including Marshalsea Prison, Crossbones Cemetery in Borough, the Clink Prison, the Old Bailey, Inner London Crown Court, and ending back at the family centre. There will be short informative talks given about each of these historic places. There will be refreshments afterwards at the family centre. The walk will give the opportunity for prisoners’ families, volunteers and anyone interested in supporting the work of PFFS to raise funds for their helpline, court project, family centre and mentoring and befriending work. Details and sponsor forms at PFFS

EVENT: prisoners’ families conference

'Making a fresh start: prisons, families communities' is pact's annual conference [5^th November, Nottingham, £130] featuring keynote speeches from Michael Spurr and Nick Hardwick. It's an opportunity to spend a day in the company of others in the field, focusing on families and communities and how they can play an integral part in reducing crime. Delegates will enjoy a day of fresh thinking, workshops and speeches in the beautiful surroundings of Nottingham's Albert Hall. Book online at www.pactevents.org.uk

EVENT: women offenders

‘Supporting the families of women offenders’ is a seminar [28^th September, Birmingham, £165+vat] that will provide an opportunity to hear about policy updates and to learn about some of the exciting and very different projects which work with the families of women offenders. Speakers include Sarah Davis, MoJ; Olga Heaven, Hibiscus; and Joy Doal, Anawim. Discounted places are available for small orgs (less than 10 employees). Book your place at: Central Conferences Ltd

EVENT: thriving in the Big Society

‘Sink or Swim in the Big Society?’ is a Cementafuture conference [21^st September, Hemel Hempstead, £89] for Third Sector organisations having difficult financial times or searching for clarity in the Big Society. The conference will explore the issues and opportunities being faced by the Sector and offer practical advice and support; bringing you together with banks, financial institutions and private investors. To book your place, email kirsty@cementafuture.org

EVENT: fundraising forum

The FSI Forum [14th October, London] brings together experts from the field of fundraising to focus on the trends and tips that every small charity needs to know about. This free one day conference is ideal for any organisation wanting to maximise its income and work strategically to build a sustainable fundraising model. You will leave with new insight into building a mixed income economy and how you might best achieve this. The FSI

EVENT: on short sentences

'Delivering Effective Penal Policy: Taking a Radical New Approach To Short-Term Sentences' is a seminar [20th September, London] that will look at how the government is going to meet the challenges of the prison population and short-term sentences. 'Generous discounts' are available for VCS organisations, and speakers include Crispin Blunt, Juliet Lyon, Enver Solomon and Roma Hooper. Visit: CPP Seminars

PUBLICATION: assessing the coalition’s impact on people with multiple needs

'Key principles of the Coalition Government' is a new Revolving Doors Agency briefing that explores and highlights the risks and opportunities they pose to people with multiple needs. The well-structured online briefing covers Big Society, Localism, Freedom, Fairness and Responsibility. Read it at: RDA

PUBLICATION: evaluation of prison music programme

'Music in Time' is an evaluation of a participatory creative music programme for older prisoners. The Music in Time project aimed to bring a music education programme to older prisoners as a medium for building confidence and self-efficacy, developing new relationships, and learning new skills. Read the report at: Superact

PUBLICATION: stigmatisation of drug users

The junk of society - dangerous, unpredictable and, crucially, only having themselves to blame is how society thinks of drug users and former users according to the latest UK Drug Policy Commission report. ‘Sinning & Sinned Against: The Stigmatisation of Problem Drug Users’ asks why so much stigma is attached to drug addiction, how it may prevent social reintegration and whether society is ready for a shift towards a more compassionate approach, geared more towards care than punishment? Download at: UKDPC

RESOURCE: space for excluded young people

User Voice is launching a nationwide study focusing on Excluded Youth. They have set up a facebook group - ‘What’s Your Story?’ - containing all the latest information on the project, including competition and prizes. They want to have as much contact with young people as possible, so please encourage all the young people you are in contact with to join at: facebook

RESOURCE: payroll service for Leeds organisations

Voluntary Action-Leeds provides a Payroll Service which allows you to manage your organisations monthly or weekly salary payments to staff. The service includes help and advice on payroll matters, and holds a Payroll Giving Quality Mark Award. Find out more at: Voluntary Action Leeds

OPPORTUNITY: for unemployed young people

Do you work with Unemployed Young People aged 18-30 years who live in a rural area or are Ex Military Services? If yes, they may be interested in the new Prince’s Trust 'Explore Enterprise' Programme. The Programme is free and is aimed at 18-30 year olds who are unemployed or working less than 16 hours who either live rurally or have a rurally based business idea. Details at: Prince's Trust

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: Women’s conference

The Women’s Resource Centre annual conference and AGM will be on Tuesday, 7^th December at Cass Business School in London.

READER OFFER: Free stationery

A Light Lunch reader, based in London, has lots of A4 plastic wallets surplus to requirements. If any readers can use them they can be posted; email joe.gardham@clinks.org. First come, first served.

TIPS OF THE WEEK…

TIP OF THE WEEK I: The 4-star Selsdon Park Hotel and Golf Club in Surrey (13 miles from London) is offering stays of £45 per person, per night, which includes a full English breakfast, 3-course dinner, and complimentary use of the leisure facilities, with a heated indoor swimming pool, a sauna and tennis courts. Sunday - Friday stays until 31^st October; book by 8^th September at: Principal Hayley

TIP OF THE WEEK II:lastminute.com is offering tickets for Alton Towers for £15.This offer is valid for adult and child tickets for visits until 31^st October. Book by 5^th September at: lastminute.com

TIP OF THE WEEK III: Stay in a Scottish castle, near Peebles, for two nights for £99 per person. Offer includes breakfast both mornings, 3 course meal in one night, tickets to the Royal Yacht Britannia, and a welcome Malt Whisky on arrival! Valid for the rest of this year, book by 8 September at: De Vere

TIP OF THE WEEK IV: Get a free potato recipe book at: Filippo Berio

TIP OF THE WEEK V: 3-night mini break in Ibiza for £79 per person. Dates in October departing from Stansted, Leeds Bradford, Bournemouth, Liverpool and Birmingham. Book by 8^th September at: Travel Junky

Date Published:

27/08/2010

Source:

CLINKS