Why me? Transforming lives through Restorative Justice

11/06/2026

The Butler Trust Awards are an opportunity to recognise the in the criminal justice system across the UK. Each year, the awards are presented at a ceremony by the Trust's Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne.

The awards are now open for nominations and are open to everyone working in UK prisons, probation, youth justice, and immigration detention – staff members, third-party employees and volunteers. They are for people, not projects – the Hidden Heroes among Hidden Heroes.

If you have someone in mind, working in the restorative sector or beyond, make sure you nominate them before the end of June:

Our annual awards recognise outstanding individuals working in UK prisons, probation and youth justice

11/06/2026

In order to widen access to Restorative Justice, it's crucial that there are no blanket bans on the types of crimes it can be used for. A risk assessment will ensure that it only takes place if it's safe. RJ can be transformative for people affected by all types of crime.

10/06/2026

"The legacy of enslavement does not just fade with time; it lingers in the psyche of descendants and affects both individuals and communities. It can present in multiple ways: an innate mistrust of government institutions, emotional resilience, health disparities, social inequalities and communities building collective coping strategies that, through generations, have now become part of the culture."

Can restorative approaches play a part in healing some of the harm caused? Read more:

This is a blog by our Restorative Justice Programme Manager, Anika Cosgrove. In my personal life, my family background has motivated an interest in the history of enslavement and indentured labourers. It is a sustained dehumanising period of history that includes incredible stories of resilience, st...

09/06/2026

What would Restorative Justice look like in a mythical story? Labyrinth is a dance theatre show about a woman's quest for justice and what it takes to heal long-held pain. The play is in collaboration with The Forgiveness Project.

Labyrinth is based on the Greek myth of Ariadne, who is often remembered as “the abandoned one” as she helps Theseus defeat the Minotaur and escape the Labyrinth, only to be left behind by him on a deserted island. This modern adaptation imagines Ariadne twenty years later, finally confronting Theseus about his betrayal and seeking justice. As she faces him, she must grapple with a profound moral dilemma: revenge or forgiveness. What will she choose?

"This story was created in the hope it will resonate with the hearts of those who have been deeply hurt and have struggled to heal and forgive" - Dramaturg, Andreea Paduraru

You can now book to see the play in London now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/labyrinth-tickets-1987044034196

09/06/2026

The harm caused by crime can prevent people from having a happy and healthy future. Restorative Justice, however, can help clear the path and enable them to fulfil their potential.

08/06/2026

Are the experiences of our ancestors detached from our lives? Do collective experiences of trauma through abuse and dehumanisation die with that generation? Intergenerational trauma is the passing down of traumatic experiences or stressors from one generation to the next - lingering in the psyche of descendants and affecting both individuals and communities.

In this blog, our RJ Programme Manager, Anika Cosgrove, shares her personal encounters with intergenerational trauma and explores whether restorative approaches can begin to address the harm that has been passed down: https://why-me.org/addressing-intergenerational-trauma-through-restorative-approaches/

08/06/2026

Why not sign up to our newsletter? Sent every Friday, it's full of upcoming events, vacancies, volunteering info, training courses, and the latest news from the restorative sector.

Get involved There are lots of ways to get involved with Why me?, from attending an event, becoming an ambassador, supporting our campaigns and fundraising. The best way to keep in touch is to sign up to our e-newsletter, published every Friday, full upcoming events, vacancies, volunteering, trainin...

05/06/2026

Do you have questions about Restorative Justice? Do you have specific queries about your practice? Want to find out how to access your local Restorative Justice service?

Regardless of the topic, if you have questions about Restorative Justice - we can help! Our Restorative Justice helpline is open to all and you can reach us via [email protected].

05/06/2026

Can I communicate with the person who harmed me without meeting them? Yes. Restorative Justice can be flexible around participant needs. If an in person meeting isn't appropriate, communication can happen via letters, video shuttle, or proxy participants.

Check out our FAQs for more info

Restorative Justice FAQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jf6POkJxAE Why would I want to have contact with the person who harmed me? The majority of victims of crime who go through Restorative Justice find the process beneficial. Many people want to ask questions about the crime. Many want to tell th...

04/06/2026

Thank you to all those who attended our recent forum on 'The next steps for ReHub'. We are in the process of collating everyone’s feedback including the themes, concerns and recommendations raised and will be sharing a full summary in due course. Find out more about what's happening next:

This is a blog by Why me? CEO, Sara Dowling.   This week, Why me? received further communication from ReHub (HMPPS’ Restorative Practice Hub) as part of their internal review. The update focused on the implementation of the new policy, which will introduce a ‘presumption of unsuitability’ of ...