Why me? Transforming lives through Restorative Justice

03/11/2026

Did you see the article released in The Times newspaper this week, exploring the power of Restorative Justice? The piece shares the story of Julie and Seth, who went through Restorative Justice following a car crash that left Seth paralysed aged 18; “It saved me and enabled me to forgive, it was liberating and empowering.”

Read more:

As the play Punch showed, restorative justice helps lives to be rebuilt after a traumatic crime — but it’s in short supply

02/11/2026

Restorative Justice Week is fast approaching! Taking place between the 15th and the 21st of November, it is a time to celebrate the transformative power of Restorative Justice, learn more about the process and spread the word. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges that people affected by crime face in accessing Restorative Justice, and how we can overcome them.

In this resource, we explain the range of ways that you can get involved in this year’s Restorative Justice Week including giving you some sample communications, useful resources and events you can participate in: https://why-me.org/how-to-get-involved-in-restorative-justice-week-2026/

Thank you to our friends at the European Forum for Restorative Justice for the image!

30/10/2026

"The restorative questions encourage young people to think about the consequences of their actions and the people around them, rather than simply focusing on whether they are going to be punished, restorative justice opens the world of reflective practice.

That distinction is important.

Young people are learning how to become adults. They will make mistakes. Our role is not to remove every opportunity to get things wrong, but to help them learn from those experiences and develop the ability to take responsibility, and to take risks safely."

Read more about how restorative work can support young people:

This is a blog by Why me? Ambassador, Jaymelea Hurren.   When people hear the words restorative justice, they often think about what happens after a crime has been committed. Reparation, healing, victim awareness. For me, restorative justice is much more personal than that, it can be a prevention. ...

29/10/2026

When his identical twin brother Simon was kicked to death, all Nick Dawson felt for the killers was hatred. Struggling in a world where his mirror image had vanished, he came to realise there was only one way to stop the torture - acceptance. Travelling to the limits of personal darkness, Nick came face to face with one of his brother’s killers. Now a champion of Restorative Justice, Nick heads behind bars, asking people who have committed crimes to change, to think of their victims, to make amends. Face to Face takes us on a journey into this hidden and unpredictable world.

Nick's memoir 'Face to Face: Finding justice for my murdered twin brother' is now available as a paperback here:

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28/10/2026

An article in The Times was released yesterday, exploring the power of Restorative Justice and how ReHub is causing a blockage preventing people from accessing it. The piece shares the story of Julie and Seth, who went through Restorative Justice following a car crash that left Seth paralysed aged 18; “It saved me and enabled me to forgive, it was liberating and empowering.”

We urge those who have experienced Restorative Justice to submit a letter to the Times in response to the article, or leave a comment, to emphasise the importance of this conversation.

https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/restorative-justice-play-james-graham-punch-7pbgb6qcl

High Sheriff of Devon

As the play Punch showed, restorative justice helps lives to be rebuilt after a traumatic crime — but it’s in short supply

28/10/2026

As a small charity punching above our weight, support from the corporate sector provides us with vital resources to expand our work and enables us to share the power of Restorative Justice with the people who need it most.

For the companies we partner with, it provides an opportunity to deliver against environmental, social and governance commitments, boost employee engagement, increase brand awareness and provide a strategic relationship with a charity at that supports people affected by crime.

We have a range of ways you can partner with us, from becoming a Training Partner or sponsoring a programme to pro bono support or volunteering:https://why-me.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Corporate-Partnerships-with-Why-me-5.pdf

27/10/2026

"When people hear the words restorative justice, they often think about what happens after a crime has been committed. Reparation, healing, victim awareness. For me, restorative justice is much more personal than that, it can be a prevention.

I have experienced the restorative justice process following the murder of my father. Going through that process gave me a deeper understanding of harm, accountability, responsibility, impact and repair, and those lessons have stayed with me. Since then, I have had opportunities to speak in schools and prisons, deliver training and share my lived experience with professionals, offenders and young people. But one of the most meaningful ways those experiences have influenced me is through my professional role."

In this blog, our Ambassador Jaymelea Hurren shares how her experience of Restorative Justice following the murder of her father influences how she works with young people now:

This is a blog by Why me? Ambassador, Jaymelea Hurren.   When people hear the words restorative justice, they often think about what happens after a crime has been committed. Reparation, healing, victim awareness. For me, restorative justice is much more personal than that, it can be a prevention. ...

26/10/2026

Enter our giveaway! Why me?'s Ambassador, Nick Dawson, is launching the paperback of his incredible memoir, 'Face to Face: Finding Justice for My Murdered Twin Brother'.

The paperback is now available to purchase and, to celebrate the publication we're collaborating with the publisher, Icon Books, to give away three signed copies via Instagram. Head over to our Instagram (whymeuk) to see how to enter.

23/10/2026

Did you know that Restorative Justice Week is fast approaching? Held between the 16th and 22nd of November, it is a time to come together and celebrate the power of Restorative Justice whilst working together to dismantle the barriers to it.

Make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter to receive useful resources and find out how you can join us this :

Why me? Transforming lives through Restorative Justice Email Forms

22/10/2026

"The ‘why’ ate me up. ‘Why my dad?’, ‘Why me?’ Then one night, as I was sat up looking for answers, I decided I needed to write to the person that did it. Anything. I just needed to know.

Then I found restorative justice. I emailed immediately."

After Jaymelea's father was murdered, she was left with many unanswered questions, unable to move forwards. So, when given the opportunity to meet the person that killed him face to face, she took it up. Read Jaymelea's story:

Jaymelea's father was murdered when she was 17. She later took part in a Restorative Justice meeting with the person responsible. In this story, Jaymelea shares her experience in her own words.