Listening circles for deep listening
Jan
21
12:00 pm12:00

Listening circles for deep listening

Listening circles provide an opportunity for us to stop and listen in a culture which can be fast-paced and self-centred. Circles can take different formats, but listening circles are powerful in their invitation to listen deeply to the thoughts and experiences of others and connect us to shared understanding and knowing. Join us as we explore the use of listening circles with examples from women's circles and nature circles.

Mel Wiggins MBE will share her experience of running women’s circles. She was first trained in circle facilitation as a restorative justice practitioner and decided to bring her skills and this approach to her coaching and community building work supporting women. Mel runs day-long events where women gather to participate in circle, intentionally making space for listening to one another. Mel will share the ethos behind her work and what she has learned from holding space for people to be heard and known.

Helen Edwards is new to circles and restorative practice, and has recently organised circles on a local nature reserve as part of her work as Chair of Oxford Urban Wildlife Group. Helen will share what drew her to circles and how circles can facilitate interconnectedness with nature and each other. 

Event registration now open!

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Restorative justice and unconscious biases (CPD workshop)
Feb
25
10:00 am10:00

Restorative justice and unconscious biases (CPD workshop)

A 2-hour CPD training event designed to help practitioners consider the underlying heuristic biases which may impact restorative work.

The event will be hosted by Dr Kathryn Rowsell, a registered and chartered Forensic Psychologist and a Trustee of The Mint House. Joining Dr Rowsell will be Richard Barker, a Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Psychology Lead for Medium secure services in Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Event registration now open!

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Trauma-Informed Restorative Dialogues: The Power of Community
Apr
2
12:00 pm12:00

Trauma-Informed Restorative Dialogues: The Power of Community

Claudia Christen-Schneider will be speaking on her book Trauma-Informed Restorative Dialogues: The Power of Community which discusses the integration of trauma-informed practice with restorative justice. The event will be hosted by Dr Kerry Clamp, the editor of the book series Contemporary Issues In Restorative Practice.
More details and registration coming soon!

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Relational Schools
Dec
10
12:00 pm12:00

Relational Schools

How can Local Authorities and others encourage the use of relational and restorative practice in their schools? How has this successfully been done in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Portsmouth? What theory and research underpin this work? What are the benefits of this approach?

We will share how relational practice in schools has evolved over time and been successfully implemented in schools in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Portsmouth through the development of the Relational and Restorative School Leadership Programme, supported by The Restorative Lab.

Bec Mason (Portsmouth City Council), Clare Pike (Oxfordshire County Council), Laura East (Oxfordshire County Council), and Molly Macleod (Gloucestershire County Council) will share stories and examples of how relational and restorative practices have been used in schools in their areas.  

Dr Anna Gregory (The Restorative Lab) will present the ethos and framework behind this exciting programme including the evolution of theory and practice informed by research. 

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Environmental Restorative Justice: in theory and practice
Oct
23
12:00 pm12:00

Environmental Restorative Justice: in theory and practice

What needs and challenges are involved in adapting restorative justice in environmental cases? How has restorative justice been used in cases involving environmental harm?

We are excited to welcome Professor Ivo Aertsen and Lawrence Kershen KC for a dialogue between theory and practice in environmental restorative justice. Ivo Aertsen will introduce the topic for us, including how restorative justice can be adapted in cases of environmental harm and some of the needs and challenges involved. Lawrence Kershen will share his experiences as a facilitator and lawyer to reflect on how environmental restorative justice happens in practice. 

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"All of Us" Film Screening and Q&A
Jul
27
7:00 pm19:00

"All of Us" Film Screening and Q&A

“All of Us” follows a family fractured and torn apart by violence and incarceration. As one family member comes to the end of their prison sentence, each of them explores how to move on and heal.

The film screening of the play will be followed by a live Q&A with Rebecca Abrams (playwright), Miranda Warner (producer and actor), and others.

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Embedding restorative practice: learning from the experience of Scotland?
May
9
12:30 pm12:30

Embedding restorative practice: learning from the experience of Scotland?

The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2018-19 included a commitment to having ‘RJ services widely available across Scotland ... with the interests of victims at their heart.’  The vision wishes RJ to be made available to all who wish to access it at a time appropriate to the people and case involved.  But this will necessarily be a long journey.

We’re delighted that Professor Joanna Shapland and Ashley Scotland have agreed to lead a session outlining Scotland’s journey so far and how this may relate to the experience of some other countries.

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Forced Migration and Moral Repair
Feb
1
1:00 pm13:00

Forced Migration and Moral Repair

Dr Steve Kirkwood has recently completed a Research Fellowship funded by the Leverhulme Trust examining the potential for restorative justice in relation to people who have experienced forced migration.

We’re delighted that Stave has agreed to share finding from this work with us at The Mint House network event from 1-2pm on Thursday 1 February.

Originally from Wellington, Aotearoa / New Zealand, Steve worked as a Research Officer for the Community Justice charity, Sacro, from 2005-2009, before completing a PhD at the University of Edinburgh on the integration of asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland.

Steve is now Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy within Edinburgh University’s School of Social and Political Science. His research aims to enhance understanding of issues of identity and citizenship in relation to justice and injustice, and (ultimately) to improve society’s response to those who have caused, or been harmed, by crime or injustice.

Steve has also been part of a research team investigating approaches to mitigating risk in restorative justice, findings from which can be found here.

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Jun
29
7:30 pm19:30

Romeo and Juliet: Charity Dress Rehearsal Performance

Wild Goose Theatre have kindly allowed us to sell tickets to their dress rehearsal of "Romeo and Juliet" and for the proceeds to go to The Mint House. Come along to enjoy this iconic Shakespeare play and support The Mint House!

Please note this performance is being held at New Road Baptist Church.

Tickets are £5 and available on the door or on Eventbrite:

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May
17
9:30 am09:30

Communicating Restorative Justice and Practice 2023 (One Day Online Conference)

How can we talk to other people about restorative justice and practice in ways which connect with them?

How can we be most effective in encouraging people to take part in restorative work and making it accessible for them?

Sessions and speakers at this online conference will include:

  • Solutions-focused journalism and working with the media (Jodie Jackson - News Literacy Lab, Myra Anubi - BBC, Nina Champion - Criminal Justice Alliance)

  • How to amplify the voices of people with lived experience of restorative justice and share their stories (Sussex Pathways and Sussex Police)

  • Communicating restorative justice to people who harm (Esther Wanjie-Nyeko – Belong)

  • Communicating restorative justice to people who have been harmed by crime (Mike Bailey – Victim Support)

  • Communicating restorative justice to gatekeepers (Dr Nikki D’Souza – Northumbria University)

  • Communicating restorative justice across cultures, faiths, and languages (Sula Blankenburg – Why me?)

  • Explaining restorative justice to young people (Leah Robinson – Why me?)

  • Adapting restorative practice for language and communication needs (Paul Cornall – Stockport Inclusion Service)

  • Communicating restorative justice at a national level (Jim Simon – RJC)

  • Refocusing the narrative: aligning with respect (Monica Morris and Rachel Quine - Understanding People (UP) Project)

  • Networking breakout rooms

  • Resources sharing session

The sessions will vary in format, including presentations, circle conversations, and storytelling sessions (with some sessions running in parallel). All sessions will involve an element of discussion, and we are hoping to learn a lot from the invited speakers as well as each other in this participatory conference.

The conference will be of interest to anyone who is involved in talking about restorative practice with others, whether you are a restorative practitioner, involved in running a restorative practice organisation, working within education or criminal justice, or a communications professional.

Parts of the conference sessions will be recorded, but recordings will only be made available to those who have booked a place at the conference.

With your booking for the 2023 Conference, you will also receive access to all of the recordings from our 2022 Conference!

The conference has received CPD Approval from the RJC and CPD certificates will be available after the event. Please note that we will only be able to award CPD hours to those who attend the full day.


Tickets are £45 (full price) or £40 (early bird price, if booked more than a month before the event) and can be booked on Eventbrite.

(A very limited number of discounted tickets for students are available upon request. Please email joy@minthouseoxford.co.uk for details.)


Myra Anubi is a seasoned storyteller and solutions journalist who currently hosts the BBC World Service solutions programme "People Fixing The World." This podcast explores creative ideas that people have found to tackle some of the most pressing challenges we face today.


Mike Bailey is a Restorative Justice Area Coordinator at Victim Support


Sula Blankenburg is a Restorative Justice Development Officer at Why me?


Nina Champion is the Director of the Criminal Justice Alliance. The CJA is committed to changing the narrative around criminal justice and promoting more sensitive, constructive and solution-focused journalism to drive systemic change.


Paul Cornall is the Restorative Approaches Lead for Stockport Inclusion Service. He has worked in education for over 10 years, including as a senior leader implementing and using restorative practices to support children with significant SEN and SEMH needs.


Nikki D’Souza is an Assistant Professor in Policing Organisation and Practice at Northumbria University. After many years in the probation service and on staff in Durham Constabulary in a range of roles, Nikki completed a PhD on the feasibility of using restorative justice in the context of serious and organised crime. She now teaches on the policing programmes at Northumbria University for qualifying police officers.


Jodie Jackson is the founder of the News Literacy Lab and an author on the transformative power of changing our media diet. She has spent a decade researching solutions journalism as an antidote to the negativity bias in the news and delivers solutions journalism workshops and training to journalists, educators, parents and students worldwide.


Monica Morris was first introduced to restorative justice over 15 years ago and has worked in a variety of settings since then. As a black woman, Monica embraces restorative practices as the necessary healing part of her practice, which she combines with a revolutionary zeal in the hope to make our world a better one where all lives really matter. Monica works with The UP (Understanding People) Project to extend the reach of RA to those who do not currently benefit from it.


Ryan will be sharing his lived experience of restorative justice and perspective as someone who has caused harm, joined by staff from Sussex Pathways and Sussex Police.  Rosanna Summers is the Restorative Justice Manager for Sussex Pathways which are based in HMP Lewes. Rosanna has worked with Sussex Pathways since 2015, working in RJ since 2021. Toni Dean is the Restorative Services Delivery Manager for Sussex Police. Toni has worked for Sussex Police for 16 years and has worked in the area of Restorative Justice since 2019.


Leah Robinson is a Restorative Justice Development Officer (Youth Justice) at Why me?


Jim Simon is the Chief Executive Officer of the Restorative Justice Council. He joined the RJC as chief executive in April 2019, having been an RJC assessor since 2014 and currently chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Restorative Justice advisory board. He is an experienced practitioner and trainer within restorative practices and has led the strategic development and implementation of these services within educational and youth settings.


Esther Wanjie-Nyeko is the CEO of Belong: Making Justice Happen. Esther is a senior Restorative Justice practitioner with two decades of experience working with people who have offended and/or been a victim of crime, and over a decade of senior management experience. Before setting up Belong with a cofounder in 2010, Esther gained an understanding of issues in criminal justice globally by working in a number of African prisons.

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Apr
20
10:00 am10:00

Restorative justice and unconscious biases (CPD event)

restorative justice and unconscious biases 2-hour CPD event The Mint House

A 2-hour CPD training event designed to help practitioners consider the underlying heuristic biases which may impact restorative work.

This event has RJC CPD Approval (Reference RJCMH200423).

To err is human… We are delighted to offer a 2-hour CPD workshop exploring unconscious heuristic biases which have potential to impact restorative processes. In this reflective and interactive space, we will explore how these unconscious processes influence our decision-making processes and what we can do to mitigate their impacts.

We will:

  • Help practitioners understand why heuristic biases exist.

  • Share how heuristic biases influence our decision-making processes.

  • Consider together how heuristic biases may impact on restorative processes, including safety and non-discriminatory practice.

  • Explore ways to mitigate the impact of heuristic biases on restorative work.

 

The event will be hosted by Dr Kathryn Rowsell, a registered and chartered Forensic Psychologist and a Trustee of The Mint House. Joining Dr Rowsell will be Richard Barker, a Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Psychology Lead for Medium secure services in Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Please note, due to the workshop-style delivery of this training, it will not be recorded, so you will need to attend live on the day of the event.


Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite. Ticket prices are variable (please pay as you are able):

£25 (e.g. employed professional/government/academic/large organisation)

£10 (e.g. employed by a small charity)

Free (e.g. student/volunteer/don’t have the resources to pay for a ticket)


Dr Kathryn Rowsell is a registered and chartered Forensic Psychologist and a Trustee of The Mint House. Prior to retraining as a Forensic Psychologist, Kathryn worked in youth justice and charitable settings for nineteen years supporting both young people who had caused harm to others and individuals and group affected by crime. Kathryn is currently employed at Oxford Health Foundation Trust working in medium secure forensic settings. She is working alongside colleagues locally and nationally to promote an encourage the use of restorative approaches in healthcare. As an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, Kathryn has previously published research exploring the impact of heuristic processing in juror credibility judgements of emotional child witnesses. She is currently undertaking and supervising research exploring the use of restorative approaches on forensic wards. 

Richard Barker is a Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Psychology Lead for Medium secure services in Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. He has worked in forensic services for over twenty years, including working in different levels of security and in the community. He has also provided independent reports to the Parole Board, in family cases and to all levels of the justice system.  He is also a British Psychological Society National Assessor for Consultant Psychologist post in the NHS. Richard has had a longstanding interest in Recovery-orientated approaches to rehabilitation in forensic services and contributed to published academic works, book chapters and policy papers on how these approaches can be embedded in Forensic settings. More recently he has been the lead on embedding Trauma-informed approaches into Forensic services in Oxford Health. As an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Birmingham he is also supporting research into topics such as vicarious trauma and biasing processes in risk assessment and risk formulation.

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Mar
16
12:00 pm12:00

Restorative policing: where next?


restorative policing: where next?

What practical next steps can be taken to move towards greater use and embedding of restorative approaches within the police force in the UK? In light of recent high profile cases of police misconduct, how can the police force respond restoratively?

Join us as we explore the use of restorative approaches to improve external police relations (e.g. between police and the community) and internal police relations (e.g. grievances, team dynamics).

Dr Kerry Clamp will bring insights from research and academia and Paul Mukasa will share ideas based on his extensive practitioner experience, including work on a project to improve relations between the police and young people.

We will end the event with an opportunity for questions and discussion.


This online event will be held on Zoom. You can register on Eventbrite, with variable ticket prices available. Please pay as you are able so that we have the resources to continue to hold these types of events:

£10 (e.g. employed professional/government/academic/large organisation)

£5 (e.g. employed by a small charity)

Free (e.g. student/volunteer/don’t have the resources to pay for a ticket)


dr kerry clamp university of nottingham

Dr Kerry Clamp is an Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Nottingham, UK. Her research focuses on the application of restorative justice within transitional settings, policing and the community. She has always had a strong interest in practice and a desire to reduce the boundaries between academia, practice and policymaking. She was Editor of the Newsletter for the European Forum for Restorative Justice and Chair of the Editorial Committee (2011-2018) and Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Restorative Justice Council (2018-2021). She currently sits on the International Advisory Board for The International Journal of Restorative Justice. Her latest monograph Restorative Policing in Practice: A Potential Cultural Revolution is due to be published in 2024 by Routledge and will draw on lessons learned from empirical research conducted over the last 5 years on frontline practice.

paul mukasa

Paul Mukasa has been a practitioner for thirteen years, and managed volunteer practitioners from 2016 till 2022. He now mentors new and experienced practitioners and continues to facilitate and supervise a caseload. He facilitates a wide range of cases involving neighbourhood and workplace disputes, burglary, accidental death, harmful sexual behaviour, and murder. He started his restorative career working in Gloucester Prison facilitating restorative interventions with the offenders and their victims. He has co-developed and run restorative forums which bring young people together with Police to examine perceptions, behaviours and look at ways of doing things differently to achieve improved relationships, which won the Howard League Restorative Approaches Award in 2016.

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Jan
25
12:00 pm12:00

Restorative justice in prisons: where next?


There have been many attempts to incorporate restorative justice into prison settings in the UK, with some success in privately run prisons and by restorative justice charities and service providers running programmes within HM Prisons. However, the use of restorative justice in HM Prisons is not widespread and has had mixed or limited success.

Join us as we explore the question 'What next steps in terms of policy and practice are required in order to embed/mainstream restorative justice into HM Prisons?'.

We will be exploring this topic in a ‘fishbowl conversation’ format where an ‘inner circle’ of conversationalists will discuss the topic, observed by attendees in an ‘outer circle’. Attendees are encouraged to join the inner circle to discuss the topic if they feel they have something to contribute. We hope it will be an engaging and organic conversation to explore ways forward.

Starting off the discussion as the inner circle of conversationalists will be:

  • Geoff Emerson (former Senior Probation Officer and current Mint House Trustee)

  • Jim Simon (CEO at RJC)

  • Sam Warman (Head of Programmes at Belong)

  • Shirl Tanner (CEO at Sussex Pathways)


This online event will be held on Zoom. You can register on Eventbrite, with variable ticket prices available. Please pay as you are able so that we have the resources to continue to hold these types of events:

  • £10 (e.g. employed professional/government/academic/large organisation)

  • £5 (e.g. employed by a small charity)

  • Free (e.g. student/volunteer/don’t have the resources to pay for a ticket)


Geoff Emerson worked in the Probation Service for 40 years, retiring in 2013. He held the position of Senior Probation Officer in two prisons, Aylesbury YOI (1988 – 91) and HMP Bullingdon (1997 – 2001). During this time he was involved in managing the Thames Valley Probation trial as part of a government funded random control trial to test the effectiveness of RJ and mainstreaming RJ as part of community sentences in Thames Valley Courts. Since retirement, Geoff has been involved in a range of RJ practice and training initiatives with Thames Valley Partnership and HMP Bullingdon. These projects have included leading the UK element of two EU funded initiatives to develop victim-initiated RJ and undertaking work to train staff and prisoners at HMP Bullingdon. Geoff is also currently a Trustee of The Mint House.

Jim Simon is the Chief Executive Officer of the Restorative Justice Council.  He joined the RJC as chief executive in April 2019, having been an RJC assessor since 2014 and currently chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Restorative Justice advisory board. He is an experienced practitioner and trainer within restorative practices and has led the strategic development and implementation of these services within educational and youth settings. His academic studies have focused on education and his Master’s degree research specifically focused on equality and diversity and the impact of restorative practices on providing a fair and equitable service to those involved within the process.

Sam Warman is the Head of Programmes at Belong, a charity that provides restorative, mentoring and therapeutic interventions for those in the criminal justice system both in prison and the community. Until recently, he ran Belong's Restorative Justice service at HMP Coldingley for 5 years. At the event, Sam will also be representing the views of peer-facilitator ‘RJ Reps’ who work with Belong to support the use of restorative justice within prisons.

Shirl Tanner is the Chief Executive Officer for Sussex Pathways, a criminal justice charity working in HMP Lewes and across Sussex, and the Strategic Lead for Sussex Pathways with the Sussex Restorative Justice Partnership. She has been with Sussex Pathways for 13 years and has been practicing restorative justice for 8 years. Shirl is an RJ trained trainer and has accredited training with the RJC.

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Dec
6
5:00 pm17:00

Empathy and restorative justice


This event will explore the role of empathy in restorative justice processes. How can developing and experiencing empathy affect how people engage in restorative work? Can empathy help people on both sides of a conflict understand the experiences and needs of the other? What difference does it make?

 We will explore these questions by listening to the perspectives of three panel members with a variety of expertise in restorative justice. Wesley Grinham has lived experience of restorative justice and the criminal justice system, Kimia Saadatian studies issues surrounding punishment and empathy, and Pete Wallis is a senior practitioner and trainer in restorative justice.

Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussion with the panel members as we think about this topic together.


This event will be held online via Zoom. Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite. Ticket prices are variable – please pay as you are able so that we have the resources to continue to hold these types of events:

£10 (e.g. employed professional/government/academic/large organisation)

£5 (e.g. employed by a small charity)

Free (e.g. student/volunteer/don’t have the resources to pay for a ticket)


wesley grinham

Wesley Grinham is is a senior mentor and groupwork facilitator for vulnerable young people. He has lived experience of the criminal justice system and restorative justice and has worked as a restorative justice facilitator to resolve conflicts within prison communities.

kimia sadaatian

Kimia Saadatian is a doctoral student in the Department of Psychology at Stanford University. Trained as an interdisciplinary social psychologist, Kimia studies issues surrounding punishment, prejudice, and empathy. Her research develops evidence-based tools to reduce punitive attitudes in education, policing, and re-entry following incarceration.

Pete Wallis is an experienced trainer and senior restorative justice practitioner with Oxfordshire Youth Justice and Exploitation Service. He has written or co-authored several books on restorative justice, including Understanding Restorative Justice, which explores the role of empathy in restorative processes.

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Nov
26
2:00 pm14:00

Listening Well: A Restorative Practice Workshop for Church Congregations

A key challenge today — in church and in society — is to reduce the noise, and learn afresh how to listen and converse well.

This in-person workshop, designed with church congregations in mind, builds on the way restorative justice resonates strongly with biblical values.

It will be an opportunity for those in leadership and active in church life to develop restorative conversation skills, enabling members to be honest, listen deeply, and speak freely without fear. A time of learning to reach good outcomes, if not agreement, rather than foster grievance.

The 26-27th of November marks the end of national Restorative Justice week 2022 (#RJWeek). New Road Baptist Church in partnership with The Mint House will co-host these two events, facilitated by special guests, Tom and Shona Shaw who work and minister in Leeds.

WORKSHOP 14.00 - 17.00 // Saturday, November 26

Explores restorative conversation skills and introducing ways to prevent conflict and resolve disagreement using restorative practices. Cost £5. Booking essential!

WORSHIP 10.30 -11.30 // Sunday, November 27

A public event and no prior registration is needed.


Tom Shaw is Director of Research and Development at Carr Manor Community School in Leeds. Tom leads on developing character, restorative approaches and peace education in the school. He was part of developing the www.restoreourschools.com project and works with schools across the UK to develop their relational and restorative practice. On behalf of the Leeds Learning Alliance (LLA), Tom leads on the promotion of ‘inclusion, collaboration and ambition’ to a wide range of education facing organisations across the country. As part of this, Tom is now developing a ‘Centre for Inclusive Practice’ where the LLA will commit to inclusive practice research, develop- ment and knowledge sharing which will include training, advice and support to colleagues.

Shona Shaw is formerly a minister at Moortown Baptist Church, Leeds and is a council member (specialist in theological reflection) of the Leeds Church Insititute.

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Nov
23
10:00 am10:00

Sharing tools to support restorative conversations

Restorative Justice Council CPD Approval Reference RJCMH231122

RJC CPD Approved Event

Restorative practice is all about relationships; building relationships, maintaining relationships, and repairing relationships when things go wrong. The approach is based on a set of values, skills and processes that can help when people are communicating with one another.

Having its origins in the criminal justice context where quite rigid scripts were used for facilitating rather formal ‘restorative conferences’ between people who caused and were harmed by crime, restorative practice has become more and more widespread outside the criminal sphere. The approach has been found helpful in contexts ranging from staff conflict, schools, social care, mental health, neighbourhoods – in fact anywhere involving humans in relationship. It is also continuously evolving as practitioners try out new ideas.

This two-hour knowledge sharing and learning event will provide an opportunity to reflect on restorative conversation skills, learn about creative activities for exploring restorative themes, and share ideas with others. It is open to anyone wanting to add to their personal toolkit of resources.

 

This event may be of particular interest to:

  • Teachers and school staff

  • Restorative practitioners

  • Community workers

  • Social workers

  • Support workers

  • Prison staff

  • Faith leaders

  • University staff

 

We will:

  • introduce practical resources, tools, frameworks, and creative activities that can be used to cover the five restorative themes

  • provide space for participants to share their own experiences and ideas in breakout rooms with others

  • facilitate a discussion on creative ways to support restorative conversations

 

The event will be led by Pete Wallis and Jo Brown, two experienced restorative practitioners.

(Please note, this is not a practitioner training course and is not intended on its own to prepare you to facilitate restorative justice conferences)

This event has been approved as a CPD event by the Restorative Justice Council (approval reference RJCMH231122).


Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite. Ticket prices are variable (please pay as you are able):

£25 (e.g. employed professional/government/academic/large organisation)

£10 (e.g. employed by a small charity)

Free (e.g. student/volunteer/don’t have the resources to pay for a ticket)


Pete Wallis joined Oxfordshire Youth Justice Service in 2000, having previously worked as a teacher, residential care worker, drugs worker and with prisoners and the homeless. Pete is passionate about the benefits that the restorative approach offers. He has written or co-authored several books on the subject, including 'Understanding Restorative Justice', which explores the role of empathy in restorative processes. Pete is one of the founders and current Vice Chair of the charity SAFE! Support for young people affected by crime, and is a Trustee of The Mint House.

 

Jo Brown has a background in social work and teaching and first worked in restorative justice as part of a home office pilot in 1997. Jo has been a champion of restorative practice ever since, joining the Youth Justice Service as a Referral Panel Co-ordinator in 2006 and becoming Oxfordshire County Council Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator leading on the development of restorative practice in schools from 2008 – 2019 and gaining experience of restorative practice and training across schools, social care and HR. Jo has worked for The Mint House since 2019 and is their lead restorative trainer. Jo is a current trustee, and one of the founding trustees for the charity SAFE! Support for young people affected by crime.

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Nov
10
7:00 pm19:00

Restorative justice and online harm


Almost daily it seems we have painful reminders in the news about the range of online harms, the damage these cause, and the limitations of current responses centred on content moderation and traditional forms of justice.

Dr Amy Hasinoff (University of Colorado Denver) will be speaking on her research on restorative justice and online harm.

Dr. Hasinoff studies gender and sexuality in the context of new media. She uses media and cultural studies methodologies to investigate how we think about new media and how those ideas affect the way we develop, use, and regulate communication technologies. 

Her book, Sexting panic: Rethinking criminalization, privacy, and consent (University of Illinois Press, 2015) examines the construction of sexting as a social problem and the responses to it in mass media, law, and education. Sexting Panic won the 2016 National Communication Association Diamond Anniversary Book Award.

Dr. Hasinoff’s work also appears in Communication and Critical Cultural StudiesNew Media & SocietyCritical Studies in Media Communication, and Feminist Media Studies. She is currently working on projects on image-based sexual abuse and restorative and transformative justice.


This event will be held online via Zoom. Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite. Ticket prices are variable – please pay as you are able so that we have the resources to continue to hold these types of events:

£10 (e.g. employed professional/government/academic/large organisation)

£5 (e.g. employed by a small charity)

Free (e.g. student/volunteer/don’t have the resources to pay for a ticket)

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Jul
19
12:00 pm12:00

Art-making, gifting and solidarity in restorative justice processes

art making gifting and solidarity in restorative justice processes restorative practice dr clair aldington tuesday 19 july 2022 12-2pm BST online via Zoom

Continuing our exploration of restorative justice and the arts, Dr Clair Aldington will be sharing her research and experiences as an artist and practitioner incorporating art-making and gifting into restorative justice processes.

Clair is an artist, designer, and restorative practitioner and researcher. She was trained by Oxfordshire Youth Offending Service and Thames Valley Police as a Restorative Justice practitioner in 2002 and worked for six years with Oxfordshire Youth Offending Service. Clair also served as the Creative Arts Development Worker in Youth Justice with Oxfordshire and West Berkshire Youth Offending Services.

In 2007, she moved to Shetland, Scotland, and co-founded Space2face creative restorative practices organisation which became an independent charity in 2016. She is now their Director-Practitioner.

She has recently completed a PhD in Restorative Justice and Design which examined the role of art-making, gifting, and solidarity in restorative justice processes. As an artist she has undertaken workshops and residencies in schools, women’s refuges, an immigration removal centre and a prison. Her research and practice interests are in the role of making and gifting in times of transition, harm and conflict, particularly in the aftermath of crime.

We will end the event with an opportunity for questions and discussion.

This event will be held online via Zoom. Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite for this ‘Pay As You Feel’ event. Please pay as you are able to help us cover the costs of the event (suggested contribution £5), however a free ticket option is available if you prefer.

Please note that this event will not be recorded, so you will need to attend online at the advertised time in order to hear Clair’s presentation.

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Jun
30
7:30 pm19:30

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Charity Dress Rehearsal Performance

Wild Goose Theatre have kindly allowed us to sell tickets to their dress rehearsal of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and for the proceeds to go to The Mint House. Come along to enjoy this fun Shakespeare play and support The Mint House!

Please note this performance is being held at New Road Baptist Church.

Tickets are £5 and available on Eventbrite:

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Jun
14
9:30 am09:30

Communicating Restorative Justice and Practice 2022 (One Day Conference)

How can we be better at explaining restorative justice and practice to people and sharing the impact it can make?

This one day online conference will explore a variety of ways to communicate benefits and experiences of restorative practice and restorative justice in different contexts. It will be of interest to anyone who is involved in talking about restorative practice with others, whether you are a restorative practitioner, involved in running a restorative practice organisation, working within education or criminal justice, or a communications professional.

Our topics and speakers will include:

  • Reframing restorative justice - Lucy Jaffe (Why Me?)

  • Overcoming barriers and gatekeepers to restorative justice - Professor Joanna Shapland (University of Sheffield)

  • Communicating restorative justice to victims of crime - Dr Rebecca Banwell-Moore (University of Nottingham)

  • Communicating restorative practice in the context of neurodiversity - Tom Procter-Legg/Charlotte Roberts (Iffley Academy)

  • Communicating restorative justice through film and the arts - Deborah Mitchell (RJ Working)

  • Introducing children to restorative practice through stories - Dr Lindsey Pointer (Vermont Law School)

We will also end the day with a panel discussion and ensure there is plenty of time for questions and discussion during the sessions. Our panel speakers will include:

  • Esther Wanjie-Nyeko (CEO of Belong) - chairing panel

  • Hardyal Dhindsa (RJC Trustee, Labour Councillor, and former Police and Crime Commissioner)

  • Clifford Grimason (Restorative Justice Manager, HMPPS)

  • Wesley Grinham (Mentor and groupwork facilitator for vulnerable young people, with lived experience of the criminal justice system and restorative justice)

  • Lindsey Pointer (Vermont Law School)

Tickets are £35 (full price) or £30 (early bird price, if booked more than a month before the event) and can be booked on Eventbrite.

The conference sessions will be recorded, but recordings will only be made available to those who have booked a place at the conference.

The conference schedule can be downloaded here: Communicating Restorative Justice and Practice Schedule

Speakers

Lucy Jaffe is the Director of Why me? and has built the organisation up over the last 11 years to become an influential national voice for Restorative Justice in UK and Europe.

Joanna Shapland is the Edward Bramley Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Sheffield. She has researched restorative justice in England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Belgium and Scotland and is the Chair of the Restorative Justice Forum (Scotland). Currently she is looking at experienced facilitators' views of mitigation and risk whilst doing restorative justice, for the Scottish Government. She is also the Executive Editor of the International Review of Victimology.

Rebecca Banwell-Moore is a Research Fellow on the UKRI funded 'Prison Regulation for Safer Societies: Participatory, Effective, Efficient?' study at the School of Sociology and Social Policy , University of Nottingham. Her area of expertise is restorative justice. Her particular focus is on victim participation in restorative justice and the role of criminal justice stakeholders.

Tom Procter-Legg and Charlotte Roberts are the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher of Iffley Academy in Oxford, a school for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and one of the first schools in the UK to adopt restorative approaches.

Deborah Mitchell is the CEO of RJ Working, an organisation promoting and implementing restorative approaches across Cornwall, particularly with young people and through creative programmes.

Lindsey Pointer is an Assistant Professor at Vermont Law School and collaboratively leads the National Center on Restorative Justice. Lindsey has worked as a restorative justice facilitator, community program manager, educator, and researcher. She is the author of three books on restorative justice: The Little Book of Restorative Teaching Tools (Good Books, 2020), The Restorative Justice Ritual (Routledge, 2021), a children's picture book, Wally and Freya (Good Books, 2022).

Panelists

Esther Wanjie-Nyeko (Panel Chair) is the CEO of Belong and a senior restorative justice practitioner with two decades of experience working with people who have offended and/or been a victim of crime.

Hardyal Dhindsa is a Derby City Labour Councillor of 27 years and former Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner. He commissioned a Restorative Justice Service for Derbyshire and has 30 years experience in the criminal justice system.

Clifford Grimason is the Restorative Justice Manager for Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS).

Wesley Grinham is a mentor and groupwork facilitator for vulnerable young people, with lived experience of the criminal justice system and restorative justice.

Lindsey Pointer is an Assistant Professor at Vermont Law School and collaboratively leads the National Center on Restorative Justice. Lindsey has worked as a restorative justice facilitator, community program manager, educator, and researcher. She is the author of three books on restorative justice: The Little Book of Restorative Teaching Tools (Good Books, 2020), The Restorative Justice Ritual (Routledge, 2021), a children's picture book, Wally and Freya (Good Books, 2022).


The session recordings, presentation slides, delegate list, and other follow-up resources can be found at this link (password protected - only for access by conference delegates):

If you need the password, please email joy@minthouseoxford.co.uk

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Jun
9
12:00 pm12:00

Restorative policing


Dr Kerry Clamp (University of Nottingham) and A/PS Russ Massie (Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit) will share insights on restorative policing from their research and professional experience.

Kerry will discuss some of her academic research on the topic and Russ will talk about work within the Thames Valley to use restorative approaches.

Dr Kerry Clamp is an Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Nottingham, UK. Her research focuses on the application of restorative justice within transitional settings, policing and the community. She has always had a strong interest in practice and a desire to reduce the boundaries between academia, practice and policymaking. She was Editor of the Newsletter for the European Forum for Restorative Justice and Chair of the Editorial Committee (2011-2018) and Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Restorative Justice Council (2018-2021). She currently sits on the International Advisory Board for The International Journal of Restorative Justice. Her latest monograph Restorative Policing in Practice: A Potential Cultural Revolution is due to be published in 2023 by Routledge and will draw on lessons learned from empirical research conducted over the last 5 years on frontline practice.

A/PS Russ Massie joined the Metropolitan Police in 2006 and in 2013 joined Thames Valley Police (TVP), targeting Organised Crime and County Lines gangs before becoming the Safer Schools Officer for Oxford. In 2020 Russ joined the Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit (TVVRU) and is the TVVRU and TVP Tactical Lead for Child Centred Policing. Russ is passionate about addressing disproportionality in the criminal justice system, particularly through appropriate and fair responses to offending in schools. As TVP’s Schools Policing Coordinator, Russ is responsible for schools policing across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, leading the force’s Safer Schools Officers and developing content for both colleagues and educators to help keep children safe and increase trust and legitimacy in the police. Russ regularly delivers training and CPD to schools and educators and advises other police forces on best practice for schools policing. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Sheffield.

We will end the event with an opportunity for questions and discussion.

Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite for this ‘Pay As You Feel’ event. Please pay as you are able to help us cover the costs of the event (suggested contribution £5), however a free ticket option is available if you prefer:

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May
12
11:30 am11:30

Delivering restorative justice for Learning Disability and Autism hate crime

delivering restorative justice for learning disability hate crime mint house logo and why me? logo

Mark Smith (Why Me?) will share the journey of a Why Me? project to develop understanding and delivery of restorative justice in cases of Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) hate crime.

People with Learning Disabilities and Autism (LDA) are often victims of hate crime such as verbal abuse, assault, criminal damage, and robbery, yet many do not report it. The Why Me? Project 'Access to Justice: Delivering Restorative Justice for Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) hate crime’ looked at ways in which restorative justice could be used to address harm and be made more widely available in these cases.

Why Me? worked in partnership with Barnet Mencap and Lambeth Disability Hate Crime Partnership to deliver the project, including the development of a referral pipeline. They also worked with students from Middlesex University and actors from the Learning Disability Community to produce videos illustrating examples of how restorative justice could benefit victims of Learning Disability and Autism hate crime. Mark Smith will share the process and outcomes of the project and what they have learned from it.

Mark Smith is a Restorative Justice Coordinator at Why Me? and was project lead for the Delivering Restorative Justice for Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) hate crime project. He was a police officer in the Metropolitan Police for over 31 years, 22 of those working as a Detective. Mark spent 10 years on a murder investigation team in the East End of London where he understood how victims were treated in the judicial process. Having retired from the police, he worked for the Probation Service for almost 3 years and was introduced to restorative justice by a relative who worked on a restorative justice project in Manchester. As well as working for Why me? Mark volunteers as a facilitator for Essex Restorative Justice & Mediation Service and is an accredited practitioner with the Restorative Justice Council. 

We will end the event with an opportunity for questions and discussion.

 

Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite for this ‘Pay As You Feel’ event. Please pay as you are able to help us cover the costs of the event (suggested contribution £5), however a free ticket option is available if you prefer:

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Apr
27
11:00 am11:00

Finding a place for restorative justice in forensic mental health


Dr Estelle Moore & Dr Gerard Drennan will reflect on the work being done in forensic mental health services to introduce restorative justice practices - the opportunities, the challenges, and the practicalities.

Dr Estelle Moore is a clinical and forensic psychologist, who has worked in the NHS for 30 years. Her current roles include operating as Professional Lead for Psychological Services at West London NHS Trust and as Head of Psychological Services at Broadmoor Hospital. She is also the Chair of the London region’s Psychological Professions Network (PPN). Estelle’s clinical and research interests are in the treatment of post-traumatic stress in the context of complex needs, trauma-informed care, workplace resilience and restorative justice.  She is a trained Restorative Justice Practitioner and works with staff teams to increase restorative principles and practices within high and medium secure forensic settings and to use resolution for conflict within the workplace.

Dr Gerard Drennan is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist in the NHS, and holds the post of Head of Psychology & Psychotherapy in the Behavioural & Developmental Psychiatry Operations Directorate of the South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.  Over the past decade Gerard has led projects to introduce restorative justice practice into mental health services, and has published book chapters and journal articles on how mental health services can do more to recognise and address harm in the recovery journeys of all who are affected by trauma and adversity. Gerard became the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Restorative Justice Council in June 2021.

The event will be hosted by Dr Kathryn Rowsell, a forensic psychologist with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, and a Trustee of The Mint House. Prior to retraining as a Forensic Psychologist, Kathryn worked in youth justice and charitable settings for nineteen years supporting both young people who had caused harm to others and individuals and group affected by crime. An advocate for young people called as witnesses in England and Wales, Kathryn’s Doctoral research focused on the experiences of young people in the Court room. Since qualifying, Kathryn has gained employment in medium secure forensic services and is involved in the development of a trauma informed strategy for her trust. 

We will end the event with an opportunity for questions and discussion.

 

Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite for this ‘Pay As You Feel’ event. Please pay as you are able to help us cover the costs of the event (suggested contribution £5), however a free ticket option is available if you prefer:

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Mar
3
7:30 pm19:30

Using the arts to engage with restorative justice


using the arts to engage with restorative justice

The arts can be a powerful way to engage with difficult concepts and experiences. Drama and theatre can help us to imagine the perspectives of other people and explore emotions which we may struggle to face in our personal reality.

At this event, we will look at how drama and theatre in different forms can be used to help others, and ourselves, reflect on and understand restorative justice more deeply.

Miranda Warner will speak on her experience of using drama and applied theatre workshops to help men in prison engage with restorative justice themes such as exploring emotions, empathy, apology, forgiveness, and understanding perspectives of others. Miranda Warner has an MA in Applied Theatre; Drama and the Criminal Justice System and is Restorative Justice Facilitator for Restorative Justice Nelson in New Zealand.

Rebecca Abrams will share her process and experience of writing a play about restorative justice titled The Meeting Room, which explores ideas of how people can encounter shifting spaces in their minds, hearts, and relationships as they consider different ways of thinking and feeling about the past. Rebecca Abrams is an award-winning writer and journalist and teaches creative writing at Oxford University. 

We will end the event with an opportunity for questions and discussion.

 

Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite for this ‘Pay As You Feel’ event. Please pay as you are able to help us cover the costs of the event (suggested contribution £5), however a free ticket option is available if you prefer: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/using-the-arts-to-engage-with-restorative-justice-tickets-260211759377

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Nov
16
5:00 pm17:00

Mindfulness, Deep Listening, and Stories: The Spiritual (not religious) Core of Restorative Justice


At this network event, Dr Mark Umbreit will explore the roots and influence of spirituality in restorative justice.

Dr Mark Umbreit is a Professor and founding Director of the Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota, School of Social Work. Mark serves on the faculty of the Center for Spirituality & Healing in the Academic Health Center at the University of Minnesota, teaching courses on Peacebuilding Through Mindfulness Practice, and Forgiveness & Healing. He also serves as a Visiting Professor at the Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee teaching a course on Peacemaking and Spirituality. As as an experienced restorative practitioner, he has facilitated peace-building circles and restorative dialogues, including restorative work in faith communities.

This Mint House network event is FREE of charge but booking is essential!

Book now on Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-spiritual-not-religious-core-of-restorative-justice-tickets-186621338447

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Oct
13
1:00 pm13:00

What contribution can restorative practices make to the climate crisis?


Climate Crisis Network Event flyer.png

Dr Ben Almassi (Associate Professor of Philosophy, Governors State University) will be speaking on the relevance of restorative approaches to the climate crisis.

Dr Almassi is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Governors State University, on the far south side of Chicago, where he teaches a variety of courses in practical ethics, political theory, and critical thinking, and is co-director of GSU's new Certificate in Restorative Justice.  He is the author of Reparative Environmental Justice in a World of Wounds, published in December 2020 with Lexington Books.

We will dedicate a large portion of the event to questions and discussion.

This Mint House Network event is FREE of charge and will be held over Zoom.

Booking essential! Book now on Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-contribution-can-restorative-practices-make-to-the-climate-crisis-tickets-168407456235

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