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2020: An extraordinary year
As this year draws to an end, we reflect on a year that has seen The Clink adapt and change, deliver new services and important training. Providing the right services for learners and Graduates during the pandemic has been our priority and with your continued support has helped us to continue our work.
Thank you
We would like to thank all our customers and supporters this year; without your help we would not have been able to create second chances, transforming lives and reducing reoffending.
Our contribution to society
At the start of the year, we were preparing important research to examine our role in improving outcomes for Graduates and payback to society. In July, Pro Bono Economics published a report stating for every £1 invested, The Clink is likely to generate at least £4.80 back to the prison service, Government and society in reduced reoffending rates as a result of its successful programme.
Lord Gus O’Donnell, Chair of Pro Bono Economics, summarised the impact of our work: ‘Currently, reoffending by former prisoners costs the taxpayer £18.1 billion every year, but just one in five inmates receive any support in preparation for their return to society. Without effective rehabilitation, nearly one in three of the 80,000 people in prison will reoffend, and the outcomes are adverse, costly and chronic, such as reduced earnings and increased demands on government benefits and criminal justice services.
The analysis of The Clink Charity’s scheme highlights the economic potential that lies in reskilling inmates. They derive significant economic benefit from re-building their lives in a purposeful way – as do other taxpayers and the rest of society. Not only does this economic analysis pinpoint the value of this type of rehabilitation in prisons, but it also plays a role in commissioning decisions.’
Supporting Graduates: Covid Emergency Fund
As the impact of Covid-19 hit the UK, many of our Graduates found themselves without employment, food and accommodation. We launched the Covid-19 Emergency Fund to help provide essentials for those Graduates who found themselves without resources. Your generosity has provided over £60,000 which we distribute in form of food vouchers, accommodation and even a bicycle this year. As restrictions are set to continue into the new year, our Clink Support Workers are needed more than ever.
Your generosity has helped keep food on tables and roofs over the heads of some of the most vulnerable in society. As more Graduates are released, is essential we are able to continue to our work.
Keyworkers and our role in feeding HMPS staff
All keyworkers this year received long-awaited praise for their contributions. HMPS staff were no exception and at HMP Brixton, we were given permission to keep Clink Restaurant open for staff takeaway lunches. This inspired us to create Clink & Collect, a collection service for on-site staff. Our team there was, therefore, able to continue training and importantly provide Clink & Collect meals for prison staff to take home at the end of long, demanding shifts. We soon discovered the staff at Brixton had a sweet tooth, with sticky toffee pudding a firm favourite!
Keeping training open in as many sites as possible was a lifeline for many learners.
Our Clink training has continued with Clink Gardens at HMP Send remaining open throughout, launching our latest project from Brixton with Clink@Home and our Kitchen training projects have maintained important learner experience throughout this year.
- Clink Restaurant at HMP High Down, serving HMP staff
- Clink Gardens at HMP High Down
- Clink Gardens at HMP Send
- Clink Kitchens at HMP Bristol
- Clink Restaurant at HMP Brixton serving customers through Clink@Home for local deliveries within 10 miles and Clink&Collect for HMP staff
- The Clink Restaurant HMP Styal
- The Clink Gardens HMP Styal
- The Clink Kitchens HMP Styal
A year of achievement The year held much promise for our restaurants in 2020 and sadly the lockdown in March meant immediate closure for all sites. This didn’t stop training and we soon caught the attention of the media for our work.
Clink@Home
Launching new services was an unexpected bonus and Clink@Home was launched from Clink Brixton in the middle of the heatwave to Londoners as a delivery service. BBC News picked up our story, celebrating the innovation and initiative of The Clink and putting us firmly on London’s delivery map.
With coverage in The Observer Food Monthly and countless titles, blogs and social has driven over 20,000 visits to the Clink@Home site delivering hundreds of orders. Crowd-pleasers such Katsu Curry, Jerk Chicken and Arancini have topped the favourites since launch. Watch Simon, manager at The Clink Brixton, describe the journey of Clink@Home.
Last orders before Christmas
Clink@Home is delivering up to Christmas Eve based on orders in advance so don’t forget to place your orders via Clink@Home. Clink@Home is closing over the Christmas break, ready for orders from Monday 4th January 2021.
Albrighton Community Fridge
Through Clink@Home, we have also provided over 80 meals to the Albrighton Community Fridge in East Dulwich, purchased by Clink or Clink@Home customers. £10 purchases a meal for this important community service and provides great opportunities for us to keep training. If you want to just donate a meal, you can also do this via our online shop.
Last-minute gifts Our online shop has been busy in the run-up to Christmas, with last orders accepted up to 19th December 2020. Visit The Clink Charity online shop to find brilliant gift ideas including our latest cookbook, celebrating 10 years of reducing reoffending.
Songs of Praise
A brief reopening for Clink Styal (Cheshire) this year in October-November happily coincided with a visit from BBC film crews for Songs of Praise during Prisons Week. Interviewing both Clink staff and Graduates, the programme discussed The Clink’s work and the transformative impact on the lives of those who took part.
Watch interviews with Clink Styal Graduates Libby and Kate.
The Clink’s Ellie Shaw earns coveted Young Chef of the Year title
Although the competition took place earlier this year, the results were only announced a few weeks ago. Ellie Shaw was crowned Young Chef of the Year, Great Britain by Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.
Clink staff making a difference in the community
From delivering food parcels to the vulnerable, volunteering in prison kitchens to stepping in to lend a hand when needed, our staff have helped deliver many essential services to those in need.
Graduate stories
Whilst much support has been needed for many of our graduates, we heard from Graduate Kevin this year about his success in his new role in fine dining restaurant, Kinghams. Watch Kevin’s story here.
Graduate Michael has become a successful actor, with his recent performance at The National in ‘Death of England’. Hear more about his incredible performance and starring role.
Donating to the COVID-19 Clink Graduate Emergency Support Fund
The Clink Charity continues to support Clink Graduates throughout this period. If you’d like to support The Clink, you can donate via our website. We’ll continue to share the success stories from Clink Graduates we can support with your help.
