Event Postponed: Reducing Reoffending - Everyone's Business 
Wednesday 4th December, Sunderland

Following the tragic events in London on Friday a decision has been made to postpone tomorrow's event "Reducing reoffending - everyone's business". The aim of the event was to influence the criminal justice system and as some partners now cannot attend the timing would not be appropriate.

We are looking to reschedule the event for February/March 2020 to allow for all partners to be able to influence the system.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused especially at this late stage and we look forward to seeing you all for a successful day together when we reschedule.

The State of the Sector 
Key Trends from the voluntary sector working in criminal justice

Clinks have published The state of the sector 2019, the key trends for voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system. This is the seventh year that Clinks has conducted our State of the sector research looking at how voluntary organisations working with people in contact with the criminal justice system are faring. The findings give us a lot to celebrate, but the picture we’ve built up over the years shows there are a number of deep-seated and systemic challenges facing organisations. To ensure a vibrant, independent and resilient voluntary sector these need to be addressed. The report includes a section with our key findings about organisations that provide tailored support to women.

Clinks Impact Report 2019
Review of the last 3 years

This publication reports on the findings of an assessment of Clinks’ impact. It looks at Clinks’ work since the previous impact assessment in 2016. It set out to review:
 - Whether Clinks is providing the range of services and activities that stakeholders want and need
 - What difference Clinks is making to its members and the wider voluntary sector in criminal justice and, ultimately, to the sector’s service users
 - Whether Clinks’ work is of a good quality.
Over 120 people provided their views in a range of ways. Overall, stakeholders from different sectors were extremely positive about all of Clinks’ work. Most of the changes suggested in this report are tweaks to what Clinks already does.

This past month has been so busy, I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner. A lot of my time has been spent preparing for the event 'Reducing Reoffending - Everyone's Business' which was due to take place tomorrow. Unfortunately as some partners were unable to attend we have had to postpone it but I am working hard to secure a new date next year. The event proved immensely popular, so much so we had to turn people away, therefore I am keen not to lose momentum. 

November/December is always AGM and conference season therefore I have attended fair few of those in the past few weeks. I must be honest it has been a great opportunity to catch up with so many people from the sector. 

My work around MEAM gave me the opportunity to be involved in a learning hub around women facing multiple disadvantage; training around trauma informed and strengths based practice and help launch an expression of interest to grow our MEAM network.

This will be my last criminal justice bulletin of 2019 so I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the festive season and I look forward to continue working with you in 2020.

NEPACS taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2019
Campaign Starts on 3rd December 

Nepacs are once again taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2019 from noon today, Tuesday 3 December to noon on Tuesday 10 December.

The aim of the campaign is to raise much needed funds to support the fantastic range of special visits they deliver across all prisons in the north east. This includes parent child, play days, special visits and homework clubs.

Nepacs target this year is to raise £2,500 which when matched by their pledge organisation would give a grand total of £5,000. This means that every donation made during the campaign will be doubled – using the match funds pledged.

Northumbria CRC Stakeholder Survey
Closes 20th December 

This survey aims to understand the voices of those operating alongside HMPPS providers. It will enable the CRC to build a rich and valuable picture of your perspectives and views which they can use to improve services delivered.

Northumbria CRC would like to invite you to complete a short 10-15 minute survey giving you the opportunity to tell them what you think.

To complete the survey please click the link below.

The MEAM Approach Expression of Interest
Closing date: 19th February 2020 

Making Every Adult Matter, of which Clinks are a part of, support local areas across the country to develop effective, coordinated approaches to multiple disadvantage that can increase wellbeing, reduce costs to public services and improve people’s lives. We do this using the MEAM Approach, a non-prescriptive framework that partnerships of statutory and voluntary agencies and people with experience of multiple disadvantage, can use to design and deliver better coordinated interventions.

The MEAM Approach is currently being used in 27 local areas across England.
Since 2017, our work with the MEAM Approach network has been supported by the National Lottery Community Fund as part of a five-year programme. We are now holding the final Expression of Interest round of this programme, seeking partnerships to join the MEAM Approach network for the period 2020-2022.

For an informal discussion contact Natalie Maidment, Partnership Manager for the North East. 

New Healthcare Provider for NE Prisons 
From April 2020  

NHS England have recently carried out a competitive procurement process to appoint a new provider for the healthcare within the seven North East prisons. Spectrum Community Healthcare CIC have been appointed as the lead provider from 1st April 2020.

Spectrum Community Healthcare have chosen to partner with Tees, Esk and Wear Valley Mental Health Foundation Trust and Humankind. Together, they have developed a model which will drive high quality services and innovation, building upon the good work already happening in the North East prisons.

Staff within the North East Prisons will continue to refer patients to community-based / secondary care providers as they have done over recent years. Spectrum Community Healthcare will be contacting key stakeholders in due course to build on existing working relationships as they start to mobilise their new service model.

Northumbria PCC Victims Fund 2020/21  
Closing Date: 15th January 2020  

Northumbria PCCs Supporting Victims Fund was first launched in 2015 to strengthen the overall offer of support to victims in Northumbria and improves and widens the specialist services available to the most vulnerable and priority victims. Priority victims are those that are entitled to an enhanced support service under the Victims Code of Practice, Victims Charter and the EU Directive for Victims of Crime.

The assessment for the 2020-21 year builds on the understanding of services, demand and need since 2015 and is based upon Northumbria wide and local strategic assessments identifying levels of crime, new and emerging crimes, issues facing our area where victim needs may arise and also local research and consultation with victims groups, community safety partnerships and service providers.

The key themes within the Supporting Victims Fund this year are:
- Domestic abuse
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Young people and child victims
- Victims of hate crime
- Victims with mental health needs
- Victims with other vulnerabilities.

Hadrian Trust  
Closing Date: 15th January 2020  

Grants of up to £2000 are available to help social welfare and charitable organisations working to improve the lives of people in the North East of England, and particular focus is placed on groups working in the fields of social welfare, youth, disability, the elderly, women, ethnic minorities, education, arts and the environment. 

The funding is intended to support charities and groups working for the benefit of the people and the environment of Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Durham, including Hartlepool.

The Allen Lane Foundation 

Grants of up to £15000 are available to small registered charities, voluntary groups and charitable organisations in the UK for work that makes a difference to people's lives as opposed to simply alleviating the symptoms or current problems and should aim to reduce isolation, stigma and discrimination.

Applications can be made at any time and are considered three times a year, generally in February, June and October. Processing an application and making a grant usually takes between two and six months

Thrive Access to Employment (Loan)  
Closing Date: 31st January 2020  

UnLtd are looking for 24 game-changing social businesses who want to scale up and grow their social impact and who are improving access to employment for those who face significant struggles such as - but not limited to - disabled people, ex-offenders and the homeless.
These social businesses should be:
• looking for six months of tailored intensive support to scale the business
• looking to raise investment or find a mentor
• able to benefit from access to experts in business planning, financial modelling and routes to market.

Working with a dedicated, highly skilled Venture Manager and a support framework, social entrepreneurs and their teams will receive 1:1 tailored support for all of their needs, access to a specialised network, first class social impact measurement support and the opportunity to take on up to £50,000 of investment (debt or equity) if required.

Applicants will be assessed on performance to date, potential for growth and profitability and in return have the opportunity to scale both the organisation and impact rapidly. Social entrepreneurs should have been typically operating for two to six years and have a clear social mission and demonstrable social impact.

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