Why me? Transforming lives through Restorative Justice

09/10/2026

All victims of crime need a clear and accurate explanation of Restorative Justice,
information offered sensitively and revisited when appropriate, prompt referral to a suitable service if they are interested and clear follow-up, including when a restorative process cannot proceed. This is crucial to ensure their needs are met and no further harm is caused.

08/10/2026

In 1992, Will was kidnapped and tortured in a case of mistaken identity. After spending 30 years bottling up the emotions he felt as a result of the attack, Will met one of the people who harmed him in a face-to-face Restorative Justice meeting. The meeting changed his life completely.

"For years, my attacker had all the power. But in that room, with him acknowledging his wrongdoing and the damage he caused, I was able to take back control. I could move forward, no longer defined by the worst thing that had happened to me, but by my strength and resilience”

Read Will's story:

In 1992, Will was kidnapped and tortured in a case of mistaken identity. After spending 30 years bottling up the emotions he felt as a result of the attack, Will met one of the people who harmed him in a face-to-face Restorative Justice meeting. The meeting changed his life completely.

07/10/2026

What can we learn from the voices of people who have been through Restorative Justice? Recently Why me? co-facilitated a conference for Devon and Cornwall where 6 speakers shared their own experiences of going through Restorative Justice or being denied it. Learn more about what they said and what the key takeaways were:

This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter.   What happens when you put senior decision-makers, people with lived experience of Restorative Justice, an expert RJ service and a range of criminal justice professionals in a room to discuss Restorative Justice? Transformat...

06/10/2026

We all know that young people's experiences in education can affect their future. Building positive relationships, managing conflict and creating a positive learning environment are all crucial skills for young people to develop. In our event this Thursday, we will explore how restorative practice can be implemented in alternative provision to help build these skills and promote learning.

Join Dr Belinda Hopkins and Assistant Headteacher Matt Poole between 12 -1pm: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/2412586

05/10/2026

What happens when you put senior decision-makers, people with lived experience of Restorative Justice, an expert RJ service and a range of criminal justice professionals in a room to discuss Restorative Justice? Transformation, commitment and lasting change are some of the words that come to mind having been in exactly that room a few weeks ago.

Why me? co-facilitated a pioneering event in Plymouth, bringing together criminal justice professionals from across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to discuss Restorative Justice. Led by Mark Ansell, the High Sheriff, the event highlighted an array of stories of people who had been through the restorative process and ended with a series of concrete actions for the attendees to take away into their roles.

In our latest blog we share insights from the lived experience testimony, top tips for getting senior leader buy-in and how you can implement a similar technique in your area:

This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter.   What happens when you put senior decision-makers, people with lived experience of Restorative Justice, an expert RJ service and a range of criminal justice professionals in a room to discuss Restorative Justice? Transformat...

02/10/2026

Did you see Restorative Justice and the new ReHub policy being raised in the House of Commons last week by Paul Kohler MP? Paul shared his own lived experience of Restorative Justice following a violent crime, and explained how, despite the life changing benefits it had for him and his family, his case would no longer be allowed to go ahead under the new policy.

Learn more: https://why-me.org/paul-kohler-mp-raises-restorative-justice-and-rehub-in-the-house-of-commons/

This week, Paul Kohler, Why me? Ambassador and MP for Wimbledon shared his experience of Restorative Justice in the House of Commons. In his question, he explained to the new Prisons Minister, Catherine McKinnell, that his case would no longer be able to go ahead under the new ReHub policy. Calling....

01/10/2026

The Common Ground Justice Project have published a new report called 'Held to Account’, exploring the “loss of confidence in the criminal justice system and what the public actually want from reform to rebuild trust”.

They have shared key findings about where there is consensus amongst participants from across the spectrum of political beliefs. In this blog we share some of their key findings and explore what this means for Restorative Justice.

"Justice is not necessarily a choice between consequences and rehabilitation, or between the needs of victims and perpetrators of crime. Acknowledging harm, giving victims a voice, taking responsibility, facing consequences and demonstrating change over time can all be part of holding someone properly to account.”

Read more: https://why-me.org/held-to-account-the-common-ground-justice-project-share-new-report-on-what-people-want-from-the-justice-system/

The Common Ground Justice Project have published a new report called ‘Held to account’, exploring the “loss of confidence in the criminal justice system and what the public actually want from reform to rebuild trust”. The report begins with co-founder Jacob Dunne sharing his experience of Re...

30/09/2026

Last week, Paul Kohler MP, Why me? Ambassador and MP for Wimbledon shared his experience of Restorative Justice in the UK House of Commons. In his question, he explained to the new Prisons Minister, Catherine McKinnell, that his case would no longer be able to go ahead under the new ReHub policy. Calling for change to what he calls the “retrograde step”, he asked for a meeting to discuss the impact of the new policy. Read what Paul said, and see the Minister's response: https://why-me.org/paul-kohler-mp-raises-restorative-justice-and-rehub-in-the-house-of-commons/

29/09/2026

THIS WEEK you can join us for a unique panel event sharing insights on how restorative practice and trauma-informed work can ensure that young people in alternative provision can access their learning.

Join us on Thursday for 'Overcoming barriers to learning in alternative provision: Relational and restorative practice' to hear from our lead trainer and the headteacher about the impact restorative work can have: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/2412586

28/09/2026

Join us in Restorative Justice Week to explore this year's theme of 'Rebuilding communities through Restorative Justice'.

In a time of unrest and division in the UK and beyond, it is particularly important to focus on healing, repairing relationships and finding shared common ground. Restorative Justice is a powerful tool that can be utilised to rebuild communities after harm has occurred. In this event, we will share reflections on the theme from experts who have been through the restorative process or been a part of delivering it. Don't miss your chance to be part of the conversation at this free, online event: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/2355348