A team who reconcile offenders and victims have won a national award for their outstanding work.
The Sussex Restorative Justice Partnership (SRJP) was selected at the Restorative Practice UK National Awards ceremony in London and won the ‘Communities’ category.
The award recognises the partnership as a group which has made an outstanding contribution to communities in Sussex through restorative practices.
Restorative justice is a voluntary process, facilitated by qualified practitioners, bringing people together when it is safe to do so, with the aim to repair the harm caused by crime.
Some of the outstanding attributes of the partnership were noted as part of the award. They included pioneering a ‘victim led approach’, the inclusive range of participating agencies within the partnership, an innovative ‘cloud based’ electronic case management system and the enthusiasm, commitment of senior leaders, managers, coordinators and volunteers.
John Willett, Strategic Restorative Justice Manager said: “It is great honour to receive this award on behalf of the partnership, which is evidence and a testament to all the collective hard work, commitment and achievements the partnership has delivered since it was created in September 2014.
“We work tirelessly to deliver restorative services to our communities in Sussex which has made the SRJP a partnership to be admired and receive national recognition.”
Jennifer Daniels from Victim Support said: “Victim Support are proud to be part of the Sussex Restorative Justice Partnership and delighted to receive this award.
“Our team of volunteers who provide the RJ service across Sussex give so generously of their time and commitment to bring victims and offenders together to give victims of crime a voice in the criminal justice system.”