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whymeuk.bsky.social
Why me?
@whymeuk.bsky.social
A national charity delivering and promoting access to Restorative Justice for people affected by crime and conflict.

https://why-me.org/
Thank you to everyone who has filled in our survey to date. If you have not already done so, we still want to hear from you! Please take a minute to share your thoughts, and help improve how we work: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSec7ZGK8yxLimAXik1IwPxP2RplhfmhaTVk8b1wYzqeQTjxCA/viewform
November 13, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Did you know?

Restorative Justice requires informed consent from both the victim of crime and the person who harmed them.

By ensuring that it is voluntary, all parties are brought into the process and are supported to participate fully.

November 13, 2025 at 8:00 AM
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving work environment, organisations are increasingly recognising the value of restorative practice as a tool for fostering collaboration: https://why-me.org/2025/restorative-practice-in-the-workplace-building-collaboration-and-resilience-at-catch22/
November 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
There are lots of ways to help us make a difference - and one of the easiest is making a donation. Big or small, it all adds up!

Anything you can give to help victims of crime have their voices heard will make a real difference.

https://ow.ly/u7kk50Xq2Ja
Donate to an amazing cause today.
Anything you can give will make a huge difference!
ow.ly
November 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Do you know an experienced Trusts and Foundation Fundraiser who could support Why me?

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Trusts and Grants Fundraiser to work with us on a consultancy basis: https://why-me.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Why-me-Trust-and-Foundation-Fundraiser.pdf
November 11, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Every survivor of sexual and domestic abuse experiences this harm differently. For many survivors, communicating with the perpetrator in a safe, controlled way can give them back their power and help them to move forward.

https://ow.ly/4u6G50Xne5W"
Survivor-centred justice for sexual and domestic violence — Why me?
This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter.   It is now well established that for survivors of domestic violence or sexual abuse, accessing ‘justice’ is even harder than for victims of other crimes. The backlog of rape cases means that over 3,000 people are still waiting for their cases to […]
ow.ly
November 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM
We are honoured to be joined by three exceptional speakers for our event this Restorative Justice Week. The event will offer an insight into the minds of people who have been through the Restorative Justice process on all sides.

https://why-me.org/2025/rj-week-event-meet-the-speakers/
November 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
There are concrete steps that Police and Crime Commissioners can take to strengthen access to Restorative Justice for people affected by crime.

Our on-going 10 Asks Campaign supports PCCs to dismantle barriers and promote good practice in their area.

https://ow.ly/VfFU50Xnczy
Maximising access to Restorative Justice: 10 Asks for PCCs — Why me?
This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter.   This week Why me? is publishing our 2024 ‘10 Asks’ campaign, outlining ten key steps that Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales can take to ensure that Restorative Justice is safe and accessible in their area. Our pre-election pledge campaign […]
ow.ly
November 10, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Have you signed up to our #RJWeek event yet? Taking place on the 20th of November, this is what you will get by joining our free online event.

Sign up here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/1927567
November 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Have you been affected by crime? You may want to ask questions, explain the impact of the incident on your life, or ensure the person doesn't offend again.

Restorative Justice is flexible to your needs and preferences. It can take many forms, such as face to face, online, or through letters.
November 7, 2025 at 8:15 AM
It’s #TrusteesWeek! This is the week where we celebrate the contributions of nearly one million Trustees across the UK.

Thank you so much to our wonderful team of Why me? Trustees, who give their time & expertise to support our team to make a bigger difference.

https://why-me.org/about/trustees/
November 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM
For updates on our work and all things Restorative Justice, sign up to our weekly newsletter today:

https://ow.ly/hCfO50Xki1E
Get involved — Why me?
Find out how to get involved with Why me? and keep up to date with our Restorative Justice work. Find contact details and donate!
ow.ly
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Last week, Paul Kohler MP made an speech in the Commons about the power of Restorative Justice and the need to enforce victims’ rights. The Government responded positively, sharing support for Restorative Justice: https://why-me.org/2025/government-show-support-for-restorative-justice-in-parliament/
November 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Did you hear our Ambassador, Paul Kohler, on Radio 4? On the programme Life Changing, Paul shares his experience of being brutally attacked in his home and later meeting the man who attacked him in a restorative meeting, facilitated by Why me?.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002ln7h
Life Changing - I shook hands with the man who nearly killed me - BBC Sounds
Sian Williams talks to Paul Kohler about the brutal assault that led him to seek answers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
We're excited to share our new event, featuring a panel of people with lived experience of RJ, sharing their perspectives on the process. Join us for a unique exploration into the impact of RJ, told through the words of the people who have lived it.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/1927567
November 5, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Do you know a consultant who could support Why me?'s fundraising? We are seeking a Trusts and Grants Fundraiser to work with us on a consultancy basis. Please find out more & spread the word with your networks: https://why-me.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Why-me-Trust-and-Foundation-Fundraiser.pdf
November 4, 2025 at 4:15 PM
This morning, our CEO, Sara Dowling and RJ Programme Manager, Anika Cosgrove, attended the Coalition for Institutional Accountability's Parliamentary roundtable. We are a member of the Coalition's advisory board and look forward to seeing real change in this area: https://addresstheharm.org/
November 4, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Have you been affected by crime or conflict? Do you still think about it? Maybe you have unanswered questions.

Find out how to access Restorative Justice in your area here:

https://ow.ly/mAVX50XkfUh
Accessing Restorative Justice — Why me?
Have you been affected by crime or conflict? Do you still think about it? Do you have unanswered questions? You should consider Restorative Justice.
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November 4, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The Forgiveness Project have shared a new series of their programme, 'Stories from the front line' a powerful examination of if and when forgiveness can come about after tragedy or harm. It also explores interviewees' experience of RJ. Marina Cantacuzino

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m0018npb
BBC Sounds - Forgiveness: Stories from the Front Line - Available Episodes
Listen to the latest episodes of Forgiveness: Stories from the Front Line on BBC Sounds.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Restorative Justice has an enormous personal benefit for participants, as well as financial benefits to the Criminal Justice System, and economic benefits to society.

https://ow.ly/bkz150XkeYC
Dismantling barriers to access — Why me?
Our project work is dedicated to improving access to Restorative Justice. This includes improving RJ for young people, those who speak English as an additional language, LGBTQ+ people who have experienced hate crime, and survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
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November 3, 2025 at 8:00 AM
We are proud to welcome Connektivity, creators of case management system myRJ, as our new Corporate Partner. We are thrilled to collaborate with a company that shares our commitment to building a compassionate and effective justice system.

https://why-me.org/2025/why-me-partners-with-connektivity/
October 31, 2025 at 4:30 PM
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.
October 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Too many communities continue to live with the fear and trauma of hate crime - and it's getting worse. That’s why we’ve signed an open letter calling for a renewed Hate Crime Action Plan for England and Wales.

https://why-me.org/2025/why-me-joins-calls-for-a-renewed-national-hate-crime-action-plan/
Why me? joins calls for a renewed national hate crime action plan — Why me?
This is a blog by our CEO, Sara Dowling Too many communities continue to live with the fear and trauma of hate crime — and the problem is getting worse. Since the last Hate Crime Action Plan expired in 2020, recorded hate crimes have risen by 31%, with over 137,000 offences in the year ending March 2025. Yet […]
why-me.org
October 30, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Nina Fuentes, Why me?'s new Writer in Residence, recently attended the charity and community night at Punch the play. As a playwright herself, Nina shares how the story of Restorative Justice translates on the stage.

https://why-me.org/2025/staging-restorative-justice-a-play-that-packs-a-punch/
October 30, 2025 at 9:10 AM
In this blog, Anika shares how dialogue after harm helped her to see the power of being heard. "A willingness to listen allowed me to explore my feelings, reflect on my experiences and choose how I wanted to move forward"

https://why-me.org/2025/my-journey-to-understanding-the-power-in-being-heard/
My journey to understanding the power in being heard — Why me?
This is a blog by our Restorative Justice Programme Manager, Anika Cosgrove. Reflecting on my own life experiences, I realise how profoundly the act of hearing someone’s voice can transform pain into empowerment, both for the speaker and the listener. As a child, I faced significant challenges, struggling with debilitating eczema and asthma that left […]
why-me.org
October 29, 2025 at 4:50 PM