There will be no Clinks Light Lunch next Friday, 30^th April. The next Light Lunch will be Friday 7^th May, so please ensure all your content is with Joe Gardham by Wednesday 5^th May. Enjoy the Bank Holiday!

CLINKS SURVEY: for non-VCS readers

Do you work in the Public or Private sectors? Are you a student, academic or an individual with an interest in the Criminal Justice System? Clinks are surveying our contacts in these sectors to find out how our services can help you support the work of our members. As someone who receives information from Clinks, we value your feedback about our services. It will help us to tailor our services to ensure we meet your needs, and target our resources for maximum impact. Please complete our quick Clinks Survey

CLINKS TRAINING: Women offender services and the media

Media focus on women offenders and their services is often negative and damaging. 'Women offender services and the media' is a free one day training course [10^th June, London], run by Clinks and Women’s Resource Centre, to help you learn how to use the media to your advantage and put your key messages across in a positive way. The day will focus on attracting the right sort of media attention, working with the media, and limiting the damage when things go wrong. More at Clinks Training

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Election round-up

Recent election coverage includes UNLOCK’s quick summary of the three main political parties’ manifesto’s on crime, criminal justice, and issues that may affect people with convictions. NCVYS has commented on the implications of the main parties' manifestos for the children and young people's voluntary and community sector. And the Fawcett Society has described the parties’ manifestos as a “depressing read for anyone concerned about women’s equality”.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Election analysis

‘Reducing Crime: More Police, More Prisons or More Pay?’, a new paper from the Centre for Economic Performance, claims there is no clear evidence that the large increase in the number of people in prison has reduced crime, especially in terms of its long-term impact on offending behaviours. They argue politicians must take account of the public’s false perception of increasing levels of crime, and describe crime trends and research evidence relevant to the parties’ proposed policies. Download at: LSE

COMMISSIONING: NOMS ESF for smaller organisations

Small organisations that want to be involved in the NOMS ESF funding programme – Enhancing Employment for Offenders - can now find details of the organisations that applied to be prime contractors in the recent tender exercise. To register your interest in becoming a sub-contractor, fill out Excel form. To see which organisations applied to be prime contractors, download this Excel database . To attend one of the regional briefing events (dates and locations yet to be confirmed) visit the Events page. To view all these documents and information online, visit MoJ Procurement and finally, to discuss anything to do with the NOMS ESF programme, contact Geraldine Curran

COMMISSIONING: secondment contract

NOMS Reducing Re Offending Policy Group is looking to contract a suitably qualified manager to oversee the national expansion of the 'Families Do Matter' project. The role will involve creating regional structures for partnership working between children and family services and criminal justice agencies, engaging with DOMs and Local Government offices, and coordinating regional awareness raising training. The two year contract has a £100,000 value attached and commences June 2010. Complete the Invitation to Tender before the 30^th April at: BravoSolution. To discuss this opportunity, contact Sarah Davis at NOMS on 07530 264 528

FUNDING: for vulnerable populations

Capital Community Foundation's Man Group Community Programme aims to help local voluntary or community groups that need funding for a project focusing on disadvantaged youth, literacy and numeracy or vulnerable populations in the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham and Greenwich. Grants of up to £7,500 are available to Community groups, voluntary organisations, charities, community interest companies and social enterprises with an income of less than £250,000 and priority will be given to groups with income under £150,000. Deadline for applications is 28^th May. Download the guidelines, and then express an interest

FUNDING: to support local strategic partnerships

The North Yorkshire County Council Community Fund - Scarborough Borough is a grant fund to support local strategic partnerships (LSPs) to deliver their sustainable community strategies. Applications are sought that meet and relate to the Community Strategy Priorities of: Employment and Skills, Alcohol harm reduction, and Tackling Climate Change. The deadline for applications is 30^th June at: North Yorkshire Coast Community Partnership

FUNDING: for financial education

The MSE Charity gives grants to both individuals and groups. ? It's all about financial education for adults, if you can't afford to do a course, be it basic financial literacy or the Open University's personal finance, money may be available. Urgent deadline of this Monday, more details at: MSE Charity

PUBLICATION: offender mental health

Waiting on the Wings is a review of the costs and benefits of secure psychiatric hospital care for people in the Criminal Justice System with severe mental health problems. The report outlines the risks of reoffending by mentally ill offenders and the costs of their imprisonment. It also claims hospital places are available for mentally ill offenders, but commissioning data ignores this. It concludes that measures must be taken immediately to prevent UK prisons becoming the 21st century asylums. Download at: Market Report Healthcare

PUBLICATION: on Restorative Justice

‘Towards a restorative society’ looks at how a restorative approach to criminal justice could make a positive and productive difference, with a look at objections and tensions as well as benefits; and, finally, how its principles could be put into practice throughout society, using a restorative theory of social justice. Download at: Make Justice Work

PUBLICATION: on Employability

'Employability Skills: A research and policy briefing' could be a good evidence base for those interested in the NOMS ESF funding opportunity. The report, by UK Commission for Employment and Skills, provides a review of recent research on the theme of employability skills, explores the evidence base and recent policy trends and initiatives. It also outlines some of the key challenges and barriers in employability policy. Download at: UKCES

SURVEY: on disability

The National Disabled People’s Poll is the first comprehensive poll of disabled people’s views on politics, the political parties and voting. It aims to amplify the voices of disabled people and their families and ensure that your experiences and opinions are heard by politicians and the media, as well as companies and other decision-makers. Get involved at: Scope

EVENT: challenging mental health discrimination

Mind’s Open Up project will be holding their anti-discrimination conference [14^th June, Birmingham, £75] to provide a space for people with experience of mental distress to share their ideas for challenging discrimination and think of ways to take the anti-discrimination movement forward at grassroots level. The day will feature lots of exciting and interactive content, including workshops, displays, performance, panel discussions, plus free cake and prizes! More info and bookings at: Mind

RESOURCE: for faith organisations

‘Faith matters’ is a collection of 19 in-depth case studies of projects funded by the Faiths in Action grant programme. Looking specifically at projects dealing with the environment, dialogue, young people and social action, the book demonstrates the dramatic impact this work has on the cohesion agenda. ‘Faith matters’ offers faith practitioners evidence to inform their projects and to prove the importance of faith work to policy-makers. Voluntary and community sector workers will benefit from good practice drawn from case studies in running local projects and attracting funding. Download at: CDF

RESOURCE: new umbrella for civic societies

Civic Voice, which will represent civic societies in England, was launched on 17^th April and replaces the Civic Trust. Civic Voice says its activities will include campaigning, raising public awareness of the issues facing civic societies, fundraising and promoting civic pride. There are more than 1,000 civic societies in England, with more than 250,000 members. Find out more at: Civic Voice

OPPORTUNITY: to quiz politicians

Clinks has been approached by BBC Radio Five Live to see if any readers are interested in contributing to a Question Time-style radio debate, with senior politicians on the topic of Crime & Justice. The show will be broadcast on Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May, from Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds. If interested, you will be part of a 200 strong audience, and will have the chance to ask a question. BBC are unable to confirm names of those attending, but assured us they were senior politicians, rather than local MPs. You’ll need to be at Headingley for 8.30am, with the show being broadcast between 10am - 12pm. They are primarily looking for those with direct experience of the Criminal Justice System, but also practitioners with a good knowledge of the System. If you’re interested, contact louise.price@bbc.co.uk or call 0208 624 9506

OPPORTUNITY: Fellowships available

The Clore Social Leadership Programme is inviting applications for its 2011 Fellowships. Between 14 and 20 Fellowships are available to UK residents who have substantial work or volunteering experience within the third sector. Fellowships can be undertaken on either a full-time or part-time basis over either one or two years. A bursary of up to £20,000 is available to support Fellows or the organisations which currently employ them. Of particular interest to readers might be the Paul Hamlyn Fellowship for a Fellow working in an organisation committed to social change. Full details at: Clore Social Leadership Programme

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS

Listen to Pat Jones, Director of Clinks Member ‘Prisoners Education Trust’ talking about the aspirations and potential of prisoners, prisoner learning and training, and the work of her organisation. An excellent speech, available at: Policy Review TV

CLINKS MEMBER’S VACANCIES

Kids VIP is recruiting a Training and Development Coordinator to introduce and improve services designed to support the relationship between offenders and their children. The 3 year post is home based, 4 days a week with a salary of up to £30,000 depending on experience. To request an application pack email admin@kidsvip.co.uk. Interviews will take place the first week of June

MARATHON MEMBERS

Best of luck to our member’s running the 2010 London marathon this Sunday. The event is live on BBC Two from 8.30am. Keep an eye out for Christopher Stacey of UNLOCK and Hugh Symons of St Giles Trust!

TIPS OF THE WEEK…

TIP OF THE WEEK I: On Tuesday 27^th April Ben & Jerry's is having its 'Free Fair Cone Day'. There's no voucher needed; 47 participating scoop shops in the UK and Ireland will be serving free ice cream from 1-5pm as part of its annual event. Though there's one scoop per person at any one time, Ben & Jerry's has confirmed you can rejoin the queue as many times as you like to get more! Details at: Ben & Jerry’s

TIP OF THE WEEK II: Spend £5 or more in store at Boots before Tues 18 May and you’ll get a voucher for £5 off anything in its No.7 or Ruby & Millie cosmetic ranges.

TIP OF THE WEEK III: Spa addicts will be delighted to hear that lastminute.com has just launched a UK Spa Fortnight, with 2-for-1 offers available at over 100 locations across the country. Prices start at £20 and deals include spa days, passes, breaks and treatments. Some of the country's best spas, including The Sanctuary, Champneys Health Resorts, Cowley Manor, The Vineyard, Six Senses Spa and Celtic Manor are taking part in this offer. Details at: lastminute.com

TIP OF THE WEEK IV: The ASDA Baby & Toddler Event is now on until 8^th May. Check out what’s on offer at: ASDA

TIP OF THE WEEK V: Get a free pint or glass of wine, when you select your nearest pub and register at: http://www.gkpubs.co.uk/

TIP OF THE WEEK VI: Virgin Trains has released a number of seats on journeys from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly for just £11 each way. The offer is available for travel Monday-Friday until 26 May, and you'll need to have a WAP-enabled mobile phone in order to receive the ticket confirmation. Visit: The Trainline

TIP OF THE WEEK VII: The 4-star Norton Park hotel in Winchesterhas announced an exclusive offer on a 2-night summer break. This package now costs £85 per person for two nights. The deal includes breakfast both mornings, dinner on second night, £10 spa voucher, and £5 drink voucher. Book by 16^th May at: Norton Park Hotel

Date Published:

23/04/2010

Source:

Clinks