Welcome to the 13th edition of Clinks’ volunteering and mentoring network e-bulletin. This monthly news round up is part of Clinks’ mission to keep you up to date on the latest developments that affect voluntary sector organisations working with offenders and ex-offenders. If you want more information from Clinks then join over 4,000 other people by signing up to Light Lunch, our weekly e-bulletin, and get all the latest criminal justice system news every Friday click HERE to sign up.
Please forward this email on to any other colleagues or organisations you think might be interested. If you want to join, ask us questions or make suggestions simply email nathan.dick@clinks.org. If you are not interested in receiving this e-bulletin in the future please see how to unsubscribe below.
CLINKS REQUEST: help develop our new guide
Clinks is developing a guide for new and existing Management Committee members or Trustees of small to medium VCS organisations working in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to support offenders in prison and/or in the community. It will complement existing generic guidelines produced by such organisations as NCVO, but will provide specific information about the CJS in an accessible, clear format and style. Initially, we would like to hear from any organisations that have already produced some guidance or an information pack for their Management Committee members or Trustees.
Link:To contribute please email: Liz Dibb
NETWORK NEWS: Service User Guide & Newsletter
Clinks will be working with Revolving Doors Agency and their national Service User Forum to write guidance for the effective and appropriate involvement of offenders and ex-offenders as part of service design, development and delivery. This piece of work will follow on from the recently launched Clinks volunteering and mentoring network guides. We look forward to publishing this guidance in due course and will keep you informed through this and other Clinks e-bulletins. In other news the next Clinks Newsletter will be on User Voice and we are looking for contributions. If you are interested in contributing download the brief (click here) and send a 200 word synopsis of your proposed article.
Link:To find out more email Nathan at Nathan.dick@clinks.orgNathan.dick@clinks.orgNathan.dick@clinks.orgNathan.dick@clinks.orgNathan.dick@clinks.org
NETWORK NEWS: Women Offender Services
'Signposting Women Offender Services' is a new information sheet from Clinks, providing an overview of the key players working with or for women offenders. It is intended as an easy reference point for those interested in who is doing what in this field.
Link:Download the publication HERE
NETWORK NEWS: Clinks launch manifesto
Clinks launch a new manifesto in the run up to the election highlighting the key commitments that we assert would underpin a reduction in offending and lead to a more effective criminal justice system. It provides some real examples to show how this approach is already achieving positive outcomes. We are asking all political parties to pledge their support to this vision.
Link: Download the manifesto and mini manifesto HERE
NETWORK NEWS: ‘The Power of Volunteering’ - VE launch manifesto
In the run up to the election Volunteering England have launched their manifesto entitled The Power of Volunteering' as well as a volunteering pledge which they are seeking MPs and Parliamentary candidates to sign up to. Volunteering England are encouraging local volunteer involving organisations to encourage their local MPs to sign the pledge and have uploaded advice on how to engage with local MPs on their website.
Link: Download the manifesto and other information HERE (opens PDF)
NETWORK NEWS: Third Sector Action Plan annual review
Reducing re-offending third sector action plan: annual progress review is the Ministry of Justice's first annual review on the objectives and targets set out in the action plan, 'Working with the third sector to reduce re-offending'. The action plan informs the ministry's third sector strategy and aims to reduce barriers to third sector involvement in reducing re-offending. It includes the views of the Reducing Re-offending Third Sector Advisory Group (of which Clinks is a member) and the group's proposals for further development.
Link: Download the review HERE
TRAINING: Restorative Practice (London)
Skills for Justice has announced the launch of a programme to pilot a new qualification in restorative practice in partnership with the Restorative Justice Consortiumand the Office for Criminal Justice Reform.The pilot is supported by Norfolk Constabulary and the Association of Panel Members. The training is available to paid workers and volunteers. The restorative practice qualification is suitable for a variety of restorative practitioners working in a range of settings including police, prisons, health services, community based projects, youth offending teams, schools, care-homes and the workplace. This nationally recognised qualification will be a competence based award approved onto the Qualifications and Credit Framework. Skills for Justice are hosting an information workshop on Thursday 1st of April, London 11.00 - 14.00.
Link: To register or for further information contact Linda Millington at linda.millington@skillsforjustice.com or 07795 815781.
RESOURCE: IT Volunteers
The home of IT workers seeking to volunteer has changed from IT4Communities to AbilityNet. AbilityNet are a charity that speciailise in information technology support and in making IT accessible to those with disabilities. The new service will continue to offer volunteers for community and voluntary sector organisations.
Link: Read more HERE
RESOURCE: Experts in Volunteering (London)
Experts in Volunteering is a free London-wide service putting volunteer trainers and consultants in touch with volunteering professionals and people looking to involve volunteers in their organisation. The website also encourages good practice by asking members to sign up to London’s Volunteer Management Charter as well as offering an interactive service that can help you learn and share your knowledge online.
Link: View the website HERE
PUBLICATION: Student Volunteers: A National Profile
To celebrate Student Volunteering Week 2010 (22 -28 February) Volunteering England commissioned a piece of research to increase knowledge and information about students volunteering in the UK. Student Volunteers: A National Profile was launched on 17th February at the Citizenship – can students be ‘good’ citizens policy seminar in London. Additional research on 'Students, volunteering and social action: Histories and policies to inform current and future policy and practice' is being undertaken by the Institute for Volunteering Research (IVR) who are asking for contributions to the research at this early stage - click HERE for more information on that.
Link:Download the report HERE
PUBLICATION: Trial and Error
New Philanthropy Capital have in the past published other noteworthy publications which recommend to philanthropists and funders where to target funding appropriately to have the greatest impact, for example, past publications have focused on disability, mental health, prisoners and ex-offenders. Trial and Error looks at young people in the Criminal Justice System and highlights some of the innovative and promising ways that charities are helping young people to stay out of trouble. This is a worthwhile read for both practitioners and funders alike.
Link:Download the report HERE
EVENT: Volunteer Management Conference (23rd - 24th March, Coverntry)
Volunteering England is holding a national conference on volunteer management in Coventry to bring together practitioners from across different sectors. The workshops have been selected to develop skills in managing volunteers and provide opportunities for you to share learning and network with different groups of practitioners in the area of volunteer management. Clinks and the St Giles Trust will be co-hosting a workshop on offenders as volunteers at this event. There are also exhibition opportunities at the event as well as an opportunity to advertise your organisation in the delegate packs.
Link: To book a place download the booking form HERE for any other enquiries please email events@volunteeringengland.org
EVENT: Networking Event for mentoring and befriending practitioners in North West Kent (26th April, Gravesend – 3 other dates TBC)
The Mentoring & Befriending Foundation in partnership with Swanley Volunteer Centre is hosting a series of four free information sharing networking meetings in Kent for mentoring and befriending practitioners. These will take place throughout 2010 into 2011. This will be a great cross-sector opportunity to network, learn and share practice.
Link: Read more about the event HERE
FUNDING: Health and social care volunteering fund (Local Programmes Open Now)
The new Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund provides a combination of grant funding and support to third-sector organisations working with volunteers in the health and social care field. The Local Grant Scheme, awarded subject to applicants being connected at local level to commissioners, is currently open to applications. It is anticipated that between six and eight grants of up to £35,000 over 3 years, will be available. Applications are only open for the North East and North West at present, find out when your region opens. A national programme is due to be launched later in the year. The programme is managed by ECOTEC, PrimeTimers, Attend and CSV.
Link: For more information visit the website HERE
FUNDING: Volunteer management
Capacitybuilders have announced that Attend, Project North East, Skills Third Sector and Voluntary Action Sheffield will be the four organisations that will provide development programmes under Strand C of the Volunteer Management Programme. The Volunteer Management Programme is a £3 million programme funded by the Office of the Third Sector which aims to support the professional development of volunteer managers.
Link: For more information click HERE
FUNDING: Santander Foundation Grants for work with disadvantaged people (Rolling programme – no deadlines)
Grants of up to £10,000 are available from the Santander Foundation for charities working to help disadvantaged people. To apply you must be a charity working in the UK, the foundation funds local, regional and national charities.
Link: For more information click HERE
FUNDING: how to apply for EU funding
Over €40 million is available this year under the European Union's fundamental rights and justice programme. The Ministry of Justice have issued guidance for the VCS on the type of grants available and how to apply for the funding.
Link: For more information click HERE
FUNDING: for prisoners – the Hardman Trust
The Hardman Trust's Prisoner Funder Directory (PFD) aims to help prisoners and ex-offenders as well as offenders serving non-custodial sentences find funding for their personal development and resettlement. Five copies of the PFD 2010 have recently been sent free to the library in every prison in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, The Channel Isles and The Isle of Man with the request that it be made available to any prisoner who wishes to use it.
Link: Download the Directory HERE
CAMPAIGNS: Less crime, safer communities, fewer people in prison
The Howard League for Penal Reform has launched a new campaign and is looking for online sign ups to boost their campaign message. They argue that short sentences are ineffective in reducing crime and building safer communities. However, two thirds of those who go to prison are sentenced for less than a year, the vast majority serving less than three months in custody. The Howard League’s message is that it “wants to stop the cycle of crime where prisoners are shut up, forgotten and then released with no help to resettle back into society”, and calling for “more investment in communities to tackle the underlying causes of crime”.
Link: For more information or to support the campaign visit the Howard League websiteHERE
AWARDS: Volunteer of the year
Nominations are now being invited for the 2010 Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards. The awards celebrate the achievements of Welsh volunteers and voluntary and community groups that have made an outstanding contribution to their community. Up to three winners will be selected in each category and invited to attend an awards ceremony to be held in June 2010. In addition, highly commended nominees will each receive a certificate. The closing date for receipt of completed nomination forms is 23rd April 2010.
Link: Click HERE for more information
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY: Volunteer with Offenders in West Yorkshire
CSV work in partnership with the West Yorkshire Probation Service recruiting and training volunteer mentors to help offenders adapt to life after prison or to serve community-based sentences as an alternative to prison. As a volunteer mentor you could provide support, friendship and a helping hand in transforming someone life. You can also help mentor an offender who is undertaking an Intensive Alternative Custody Order by giving practical support and positive encouragement.
Link: To fin out more email Karen Gardner on kgardner@csv.org.uk or read more HERE
WEBSITE OF THE MONTH: i-Volunteer
i-volunteer aims to enable people with passion for their community – either as volunteers or by managing the work of volunteers – to connect with, learn from, inspire and support each other in what they are trying to do. Launched on International Volunteer Day in December 2009, this new social network has already been dubbed ‘the Facebook for volunteering’ and is fast becoming a leading source of news and opinion on all things volunteering. i-volunteer is free to use so check it out.
Link: www.i-volunteer.org.uk
