Hope in the Heart CIC
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RESTORING THE HEART:
​Restorative Approaches to Systemic Harm

In recent years, restorative approaches to harm have been applied with increasing effect in the criminal justice system in the UK and elsewhere in the world. Truth and Reconciliation Commissions, starting in South Africa in 1995 then adopted and adapted in a variety of countries, have modelled how accountability, honesty and reparation can  contribute to bridging division and restoring equilibrium for individuals and communities. 
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The UK mental health system and associated statutory services are rife with division, and desperately in need of accountability, honesty and reparation. Harmful interventions and abuses are carried out routinely, often in the name of "Best Practice". The ongoing damage is devastating for many vulnerable people needing compassionate support, and adversely affects staff as well as "service users". 

Some statutory leaders are beginning to acknowledge that this situation cannot continue, and to explore more compassionate and relational ways of working. But in order for this to be effective, there must be widespread recognition that real harm is taking place, and resistance to its continued perpetration. 

Our team (see below) consists of psychiatric survivors, academics, family members, a human rights lawyer with a background in... and a clinical psychologist whose PhD research project explored how Hope in the Heart creates restorative environments in which participants can have their voices heard by people in power, and find reconciliation while affecting positive change. 

Pleases read team member Hel Spandler's groundbreaking paper, written with their colleague Mick McKeown in 

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Tam Martin Fowles, Hope in the Heart Founder/CEO
Tam is a psychiatric survivor who has experienced both harm and compassion within services. This, alongside training as a Restorative Justice Conference facilitator, long involvement with the global compassion movement, collaboration with the UK-based Relational Practice Movement, and with Truth and Reconciliation/Peace Culture activists on several continents, has fuelled her commitment to restorative approaches to harm. She is deeply concerned about the harm that is still routinely taking place within services, but hopeful about potential for postive change. 

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Sophie Coxon, Hope in the Heart Community Development Worker
Sophie's interest in restorative approaches to harm comes from years of both facilitating creative projects that highlight the high incidence of harm and trauma experienced in mental health and other services, and her personal experience of mental and physical health distress. She is particularly interested in the intersectional elements of service provision, where race fits in, and the importance of including under-represented and marginalised individuals and groups in restorative processes. 

Inspiring Change through Compassionate Connection 
  • Home
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