Clinks are delighted that the South West team will be joined four days per week by Louise Clark, starting this Monday, 14^th June. Louise will be working alongside Laura Thompson as our second South West VCS Development Officer, and will assume responsibility for Clinks’ work in the former Avon area, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Devon. She will also have a specialist support role in relation to VCS organisations working with women offenders. Louise starts on the 14^th June, and can be contacted by emailing louise.clark@clinks.org

CLINKS NEWS: Arts Alliance

Following last week’s news that Clinks is now managing the Arts Alliance, a new website has been launched providing an online community for arts in the Criminal Justice System. The website allows you to become members of the Arts Alliance and join together with other arts practitioners and those involved or interested in the arts. Funded by the Ministry of Justice, Arts Council England and The Monument Trust, the Alliance is seeking to advocate for the arts with people excluded from society, at risk of offending, in our prisons, or in the community. Get involved at: www.artsalliance.org.uk

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Who’s who at NOMS?

This week Clinks was sent the latest organisational chart for the NOMS management team. It details national and regional positions and their key responsibilities. It’s also, helpfully, accompanied by pictures of the DOMS. Download it from the Clinks website

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: consultation on visitor’s centre

HMP Swansea is reviewing arrangements for visits to prisoners. The review will include provision for social/domestic, professional and official visits. As part of this review, they invite your department or agency to advise them of suggestions or requirements which you would like them to consider implementing. Contact Helen Davey, before 5th July, on 01792 485 389

AWARD: for offender health services

West Midlands SHA are offering an Offender Health Award at this year’s National Health and Social Care Awards. This award will recognise good practice in the field of offender health, social care and substance misuse in the West Midlands. Applications are invited from prisons and the community, and from any individual or team (this can be a multi disciplinary team) working in these areas. Closing date for applications is midnight on June 18^th. An application form and more information is available at WMRDC

FUNDING: to work with children, families and vulnerable adults

Community and voluntary groups are being encouraged to apply for grant funding from Cambridgeshire County Council for 2011/12. Small groups with a total annual income of less than £50,000 can apply for grants of up to £3,000 each to work with Children, young people and families or Vulnerable adults. Eligible applicants must be doing work which directly benefits residents of the Cambridgeshire County Council area. Grants can be used for core costs or service delivery, and the deadline for applications is 17th September at: Cambridgeshire County Council

FUNDING: to develop green projects

Bristol City Council has launched a new fund with a total of £75,000 available to charities, voluntary and community based groups, and non-profit companies, based or working in Bristol, to develop green projects. Proposals will need to be viable, community-led, fair, reach new audiences and not duplicate an existing activity. Groups can apply for grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 before the 30^th July deadline at: Bristol City Council

FUNDING: to support disadvantaged young people

Voluntary and community sector providers in Liverpooldelivering effective learning to groups of people aged 19 and over living in disadvantaged areas of the city and/or are under-represented in the take-up of existing provision are eligible to apply for assistance from the Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities Fund. Examples of eligible activities are those falling within three broad themes as follows: Developing Individuals and Families; Developing Individuals and Communities; and Enhancing Employment Prospects. The deadline for applications is 9th July, contact helen.owen@liverpool.gov.uk

FINANCE: new guidance published

The Charity Commission has published four updated sets of financial guidance for charities and their advisers covering risk management; financial difficulties and insolvency; reserves and internal financial controls. The guidance has been revised to reflect new developments and the challenging economic climate that charities now face. It covers the main points of financial management, planning and control in the context of charity law and good practice. Download at: Charity Commission

EVENT: creating jobs for ex-offenders

Social Firms UK Annual Conference [1^st & 2^nd July, Cambridge, from £180] features a workshop entitled 'Breaking the cycle - achieving large scale job creation for ex-offenders'. This workshop will explore ideas, with input from some existing initiatives including Social Firms, on how significant numbers of jobs might be created for ex-offenders and help reduce the risk of re-offending. More info and bookings at: Social Firms UK

EVENT: on homeless women offenders

Commonweal Housing and Housing for Women will be speaking about the Reunite Project - reuniting mothers with their children on release from prison - in a spotlight session at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual conference [24^th June, Harrogate, Free for VCS]. Details and bookings at: CIH Housing

EVENT: crime, safety and policing

In the recent Annual London Survey, Londoners once again placed crime, safety and policing at the top of their concerns. In response, Kit Malthouse, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Chair of the MPA, is hosting a series of breakfast roadshows across London, so that you can ask questions about the Mayor’s strategies for fighting crime and improving confidence in London and learn how you can play your part. Find out more about the roadshows and book your place at the event in your area at: London.gov.uk

PUBLICATION: crime and education

'The Crime Reducing Effect of Education' is a London School of Economics publication that presents evidence on empirical connexions between crime and education. It finds that improving education could yield significant social benefits and could be a key policy tool in the drive to reduce crime. Download at: LSE

TRAINING: Winning contracts

In tough economic times, winning new contracts can seem like a tall order. 'Winning Contracts' is a series of expert led half-day workshops [29^th June, London, FREE], designed to make you stand out from the competition in the bidding process. They will help you develop skills in three of the key elements of contract bidding. See if you qualify for a place by emailing events@sel.org.uk

TRAINING: sustainable funding

'Sustainable Funding – Make it Happen' is a new intermediate course [14^th July, London, £79] from NCVO for those familiar with the principles behind Sustainable Funding. The course will enable you to write a sustainable income plan meeting your organisation’s needs. It covers key elements of the plan including income options, the external environment, organisational strengths, resources, risk management and setting achievable targets. Book your place at: NCVO

TRAINING: understanding and managing challenging behaviour

'Managing Challenging Behaviour' is a bespoke training package aimed at increasing your understanding as to why people behave as they do, and to gain new skills to promote positive change in yourself and others. Find out about the different types of training available and dates at: www.lifechangeuk.com

OPPORTUNITY: to evaluate women offender project

Women in Prison would like to invite interested parties to tender for a contract which will evaluate the Women Prisoners Advice and Information Service. The Service is funded by the Big Lottery and provides general and resettlement advice and information to women prisoners nationally. The deadline for tenders is 18th June; full details at: Women in Prison

OPPORTUNITY: to refer unemployed young people

Do you work with Unemployed Young People aged 18-30 years who live in a rural area? If yes, you may be interested in passing onto them, details of the new Prince’s Trust Explore Enterprise Programme. Having their own small business may be something they’ve considered and this new programme is an opportunity for them to look a bit further into whether this might be a good direction for them to take. 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. Get details from Fiona Whitley

OPPORTUNITY: for volunteering

London Action Trust are looking for up to 7 volunteers to work on a weekly basis (weekdays) alongside qualified skills for life tutors in the Secure Unit of the Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham. Hours of work are flexible, but a weekly commitment is essential. As a volunteer your primary role will be to escort patients from their wards to the education department. You will also be required to sit in the classroom during teaching and may be called upon to assist individuals with their work. Get full details from Karen.brooke@lat.org.uk

ALERT: beware of bogus callers

The Charity Commission is warning charities to be wary of scammers phoning them up claiming to be from the Commission and demanding payments for various services and advertisements. Read more at: Charity Commission

CAMPAIGN: Robin Hood tax

Robin Hood Tax is a tiny tax on bankers that would raise billions to tackle poverty and climate change, at home and abroad. If governments took a tiny tax from international bankers’ transactions, it could generate hundreds of billions of pounds every year – that could stop cuts in crucial public services at home in UK, and help fight global poverty and climate change. What do you think? Visit Robin Hood tax

CLINKS MEMBER’S VACANCIES

Prisoners’ Families and Friends Service is seeking a part time administrative support worker [London] to assist with their developing family support service. The contract will initially be for 6 months and extension will be subject to funding. Details at: PFFS.

TIPS OF THE WEEK…

TIP OF THE WEEK I:Get two free bottles of Budweiser at Pitcher & Piano with this voucher - must be used today (11th June)!

TIP OF THE WEEK II:Get 15% off fashion store Urban Outfitters online until Friday 18^th June. Simply enter promotional code 'CHEERS' at www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk

TIP OF THE WEEK III:Get a personalised Father's Day card for just 50p at: Bonus Print

TIP OF THE WEEK IV:Channel Four are looking for an audience to take part in an eve of Budget Dispatches Debate called 'How to Save £100 Billion'. A series of radical tax and spending proposals that could address some of the £156 billion budget deficit will be put to a live audience who will then be given a chance to comment, ask questions and vote on each option. The programme will be recorded in the Roundhouse, Camden on Monday evening on 21st June. Tickets are free – for details contact tstrutt@mentorn.tv

TIP OF THE WEEK V:Open Farm Sunday [13^th June] is an annual event that gives everyone the opportunity to meet the farmers who grow their food and care for the countryside. Find your nearest participating farm at: http://www.farmsunday.org/ofs/home.eb

TIP OF THE WEEK VI:Get a free baby tree at: Campaign for Trees

TIP OF THE WEEK VI:Fourteen 4-star properties located in accessible rural spots around England are participating in a promotional rate of £30 per room, per night. The promotion is valid for stays seven days a week from 23 July-5 September, but you must book by 23^rd June at: Principal Hayley

Date Published:

11/06/2010

Source:

Clinks