A slightly bigger edition this week, as there will be no Light Lunch next week, 5^th February. The next edition will be Friday 12^th February. Please get your articles for submission to Joe Gardham by Wednesday 10^th February.

CLINKS EVENT: manifesto launch

'A community focus for criminal justice – where next?' is our Spring conference [8^th March, London, FREE] which will include the launch of our manifesto. A change of administration in 2010 will provide the opportunity to look afresh at the rehabilitation of offenders and the important role communities could have. By attending this conference you will hear from experts and also be able to contribute to panel discussions and workshops. Workshops include commissioning, diversity, localism, and volunteering, and there's an exclusive performance from Clean Break. This event is a unique opportunity prior to the General Election, and as such places are filling quickly. Book your free place at: Clinks Events

CLINKS REQUEST: Can we follow you?

Do you Tweet? Have you got RSS feeds on your site? To help Clinks’ Light Lunch stay up to date with your news, send your social networking links to Joe Gardham

CLINKS TRAINING: Volunteering with Offenders in London

There are only a few places on 'Volunteering with Offenders in the Community', a 2-day modular ‘train the trainers’ course [16^th & 17^th March, London, from £64] designed to support the training of staff and volunteers in the Voluntary and Community Sector who are working with offenders in the community. We will explore some of the issues faced by volunteers, and the organisations that manage them. This is a really popular course, and will be the last time we offer this course for a while. There are only a few places left, so book your place at: Clinks Training

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Lords debate on Probation

The latest House of Lords debate, moved by Lord Ramsbotham, focussed on the Probation Service past, present and future. Read it at: House of Lords

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Safeguarding vulnerable adults

In response to the Government’s consultation on strengthening protection for vulnerable adults, the Department of Health have announced new legislation to enshrine in law the need for every local area to have in place a Safeguarding Adults Board – a body made up of the local social services authority, the police, the NHS and working with all other groups involved in protecting vulnerable adults. The board will ensure that vulnerable adults who suffer abuse will have quick and easy access to the people who can help them best. Read more at: DoH

GOVERNMENT NEWS: ETE for young people

The Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee will see every young person who is unemployed for six months guaranteed the offer of a job, training or work experience, supported by up to 470,000 opportunities over the next 15 months. Read the press release at: DWP

COMMISSIONING: winning public sector contracts

‘Winning the Contract’ is a free online public procurement course designed to help smaller firms bid for the £220 billion of public sector contracts awarded each year. The course shows participants how to identify business opportunities to supply goods and services to the public sector, explains the public procurement process, and demonstrates how to submit tenders. It has helpful hints and tips to guide and inform businesses on the bidding process, and where to find public sector contract opportunities. This appears very corporate, but may prove useful for some VCS organisations. Visit: Business Link

FUNDING: supporting victims of sexual violence and abuse

The Government Equalities Office (GEO) has established a Special Fund to provide contingency funding to organisations - providing support to victims of sexual violence and abuse - that are most at risk of reduction or closure. Organisations must therefore demonstrate that, due to funding difficulties, front-line services for victims of sexual violence and abuse are at risk of (a) reduction, (b) closure or (c) temporary suspension. The maximum grant available is £50,000 and the deadline for applications is 22^nd February. The GEO has also released a continuation fund for Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs). Details of both at: GEO

FUNDING: for disadvantaged youths

The aim of the Team London Bridge Small Grants Fund is to help young people aged between five and 19 to develop their life experience outside of the school curriculum, and to help young people make a positive and valuable contribution to their community in the Bermondsey area. The Fund accepts applications for grants from £500 to £2,000. Youth groups/youth clubs, charities, community and voluntary organisations, and businesses, whose project will benefit young people who live or go to school within the Bermondsey area can apply. The deadline for applications is 26^th February at: Team London Bridge

FUNDING: for sports projects

Devon Community Foundation has announced that £62,500 is being made available for community projects in Plymouth through the Sport Relief Community Cash Fund. Grants of between £500 and £1,000 are available to support work where there is clear evidence of it producing a sustained, beneficial impact on people's lives. Priority in awarding grants will be given to small groups or organisations which are based in areas of disadvantage and which have a clear understanding of the needs of their local community. The deadline for applications is 5^th March, at: Devon Community Foundation

FUNDING: for social enterprises

New Capital Grants are available as part of the Social Enterprise Investment Fund to support social enterprises delivering health and social care services that require funding for capital assets. Grants from £100,000 to £450,000 are available and can be used for securing premises; purchasing vehicles; updating systems; refurbishments; and equipment. The deadline is 19^th February, details at: The Social Investment Business

FUNDING: for young people

The Prince's Trust Community Cash Awards are for young people to design and set up projects on a voluntary basis that will benefit their local community. Past awards have included funding for start up youth cafes, asylum seekers improving perceptions in the community through photographic exhibitions, community radio stations, organic gardens kept for and by young people with mental health problems, and DVD’s to raise awareness of crack dealing. Find out more at: Prince's Trust

AWARDS: for social welfare projects

The Beacon Prize is an annual award scheme set up to highlight and showcase exceptional contributions to charitable and social causes in the UK. Nominations are accepted from charities, voluntary and community organisations, and the public in categories including Community Builder, Young Philanthropist, Effective Giving, and new Initiatives. One overall winner will receive a cash prize of £30,000 to give to the charitable cause(s) of their choice. The deadline for nominations is 16^th April 2010 at: Beacon Fellowship

EVENT: arts in criminal justice

The Arts Alliance Creative Resource Events [8^th March HMYOI Portland, 25^th March HMYOI Thorn Cross] aim to promote the use of the arts in the reducing re-offending pathways set up by NOMS, to explore the role that the arts can play in the rehabilitation process and to provide a platform for regional artist/art organisations working in criminal justice sector to promote their work. To book a place e-mail Asia

EVENT: volunteer conference

Prison Fellowship is holding a conference [12^th - 14^th March 2010, Swanwick, Derbyshire], open to all Prison Fellowship volunteers and supporters that will incorporate a celebration of 30 years of Prison Fellowship as well as volunteer training & networking and a chance for people to learn more about other similar organisations that may be of help or relevance to them. Download the flyer at: Prison Fellowship

EVENT: young people’s health services

‘Slaves’ is a new play by Rex Obano [London SW11, £5], set in HMP Wandsworth, that looks at life on both sides of the prison bars, in particular the way that family relationships are affected among those imprisoned, and those working in the prison system. Book now at: Theatre 503

PUBLICATION: money management report

'The Meaning of Money: why homeless and vulnerable people see money as a route to security, respect and freedom' is a Lemos and Crane report exploring the attitudes towards money of homeless or vulnerable people, and their behaviour in handling money. Download at: Lemos and Crane

PUBLICATION: eastern European workers

According to a major report ordered by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), An "unprecedented" influx of some 1.5 million eastern European workers into the UK over the past six years is likely to have had a negative impact on the wages of the lowest-paid British workers. Read the full report at: EHRC

PUBLICATION: offender learning difficulties

The British Dyslexia Association has published 'Good Practice Guide for Justice Professionals: Guidelines for supporting Clients and Users of the Justice System who have Dyslexia and other Specific Learning Difficulties'. The guide offers practical advice on the impact of Specific Learning Difficulties in police, court and tribunal settings. For more information, and to get your copy, email: Melanie Jameson

PUBLICATION: annual review for Prisoners Abroad

Prisoners Abroad have published their latest Annual Review. Co-edited by former prisoner Shaun Attwood, it gives details of their activities and work over the twelve months to April 2009. Download at: Prisoners Abroad

TRAINING: for leaders of small organisations

ACEVO are holding a 'Masterclass for Small Organisations' [18^th February, Manchester, £35], aimed at chief executives and senior managers of small organisations with an annual turnover of £1million or less. It will be a prime opportunity to hear from experts in the voluntary and commercial sector on the key areas that need to be addressed and changes that can be implemented in order for your organisation run as efficiently as possible in line with larger organisations especially in challenging economic times. Details and bookings at: Acevo

RESOURCE: help with funding bids

Women's Resource Centre (WRC) have launched a 'Fundraising & Monitoring and Evaluation Surgery'. The surgery, in London, provides you with a space to work on your latest fundraising proposal or monitoring and evaluation report. Members of the WRC development team will be holding drop-in sessions where you can discuss fundraising ideas or monitoring and evaluation issues with women working on similar projects. There will be computers available for your use, as well as WRC’s newly revamped Resource Library. If you’re interested in attending, please contact Ellen Storrar with details of what time you plan to come to the surgery and what you would like to work on.

CAMPAIGN: vote for innovative ICT resource

One of the resources created by the nine Regional ICT Champions across England has been nominated for an award which has an on-line public voting system. 'ICT Answers in a Box' is aimed at clients within society who are short of cash in these difficult economic times. It is about raising awareness of where free or low cost ICT support and advice can be found. It's just two clicks to vote at: Z Card

MEMBER VACANCIES

New member’s vacancies this week include ‘Criminal Justice Programme Officer’ for The Barrow Cadbury Trust and an Agent for the The Howard League’s U R Boss project. More details at: Clinks Members Vacancies. Additionally, The LankellyChase Foundation is looking for a Grants Officer. Email Karen Flippance for full details

TIPS OF THE WEEK…

TIP OF THE WEEK I: Get 15% off in store at B&Q today and tomorrow with thisvoucher

TIP OF THE WEEK II: The 4-star Macdonald Leeming House in the Lake District is offering a 2-night getaway for £99 per person. The offer includes dinner on the first night, breakfast both mornings, use of spa facilities, and a complimentary cruise on Ullswater Lake. Use code 'TZO' at: Macdonald Hotels

TIP OF THE WEEK III: hotelshopUK is offering stays at the 4-star Sheffield Park Hotel [Sheffield 8] for just £49 per person, per night. That includes breakfast, dinner, room upgrade and bottle of wine. Available 7 days a week, apart from 13th February. Book at: hotelshopUK

TIP OF THE WEEK IV: "Chicago" at the Cambridge Theatre, London is offering 50% off top-price tickets, at £29.50 per person. This limited-time offer is available for performances Monday-Thursday evenings and Friday matinees. Book at: Seetickets

TIP OF THE WEEK V:Hotel group De Vere is running a £29 room sale for stays up to 11 April. There are 3,000 cheap rooms up for grabs. Check availability online at: De Vere

TIP OF THE WEEK VI:The Book Depository is offering over 11,000 classic downloadable eBooks for free including works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jane Austen, Alexandre Dumas, Elizabeth Gaskell and more. These eBooks are simply PDF files of the physical book which you can read on your PC. Browse and Download at: The Book Depository

TIP OF THE WEEK VII:The community network, UK Online Centres, has launched a set of five free, short courses to help get people started using computers and the internet. They cover the basics of getting online: if you're already up to speed they could be good for friends or family at: Online Basics

Date Published:

29/01/2010

Source:

Clinks