Women offenders charity body Women’s Breakout has merged into criminal justice umbrella organisation Clinks, with its two members of staff made redundant.
Women’s Breakout, which represents 56 charities, was struggling financially and asked Clinks to take on its services.
Both of the Women’s Breakout’s permanent staff members have not been kept on by Clinks. The organisation, which had been running for six years, had no offices.
A Clinks spokesperson said it will have to fundraise to support the new services it has taken on and will discuss with Women’s Breakout’s members whether to keep the organisation’s brand name.
Accounts for Women's Breakout running to 31 March 2017 show the organisation recorded a drop in overall income from £168,000 the previous year to £96,000, this includes a more than £30,000 reduction in donations.
Roma Hooper, chair of Women’s Breakout, said: “We are delighted that Women’s Breakout has secured its future within Clinks.
“We believe that the integrity of Clinks and its commitment to strengthening the work of Women’s Breakout will enhance the voice of our women’s centres and continue to support the work being undertaken”.
Anne Owers, chair of Clinks, said it was essential for Women’s Breakout’s services to continue as they made up part of the 2007 review into women’s prisons, The Corston Report.
She said: “It is now ten years since Baroness Corston produced her ground-breaking report on women in criminal justice. Community-based services were an essential part of that vision, and it is vital to continue to support those organisations and the women who need and use them.”
Clinks has asked Women’s Breakout members to attend a meeting on 3 October in central London between 11am - 3pm. It has asked attendees to RSVP to [email protected]
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