Claire Lightowler

This Iriss Insight reviews the evidence about how food practices affect children in different care settings, drawing heavily from the experience of children in foster and residential care. However, many of the issues explored here have similarities to the experience of adults supported by social services and carers, so the Insight may also be of interest beyond those working with children.

Nine people at the Volunteer Development Scotland offices in Stirling discuss what motivated them to volunteer and shared their experiences of volunteering.

This project report details the process and findings of a project to improve research use in the third sector undertaken between July 2011 - July 2012, funded by the ESRC (RES-173-27-0231).The project involved undertaking an audit of research use prior to the project, undertaking a range of activities aimed at improving research use across the organisation and evaluating the impact of these different activities.

This report details the use of research across Apex Scotland and identifies ideas about where improvements can be made. This report represents a baseline picture of research use at the beginning of a project, funded by Apex Scotland and the ESRC.

This summary describes the findings from a project to improve research use in Apex Scotland, and to share the learning with others. There are specific reflections likely to be of interest for other third sector organisations and for academics. Further details about this project, including a report about the project, can be found on the Improving research use in the third sector: Project report.

Apex Scotland is a third sector organisation working throughout Scotland to improve the lives of people who have offended or are at risk of offending. It is involved in a range of interventions: from developing employment skills, running a school inclusion unit, and providing drug and alcohol treatment and support.

Claire Lightowler (Iriss) hosts a discussion at the second of two workshops held in Glasgow on 16 May 2012 as part of the desistance knowledge exchange. The knowledge exchange workshops are part of a project funded by the ESRC involving Iriss, Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, Queens University, Belfast and the University of Sheffield.

This Insight provides a brief introduction to the research evidence about the process of desistance from crime. Written by Fergus McNeill, Stephen Farrall, Claire Lightowler and Shadd Maruna.

This Insight, focuses on the issue of involving those who have offended in shaping the criminal justice system, exploring the different models of involvement, the effectiveness of different approaches and the implications for Criminal Justice Social Work services. Written by Beth Weaver (Glasgow School of Social Work, University of Strathclyde) and Claire Lightowler (Iriss).