Development of the project

RoadPeace West Midlands are part of RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims. Each group member has been bereaved through a road traffic collision and wants to ensure that others who sadly experience such a loss receive compassion, support and justice.

The group meet each month online on zoom, and at least once per quarter in-person at St. Martin in the Bull Ring. Existing primarily for support, the group offers a safe space for people to talk openly about their grief and the rollercoaster of emotions a road death and having to navigate the criminal justice system brings.

However, the group also take action – organising activities and campaigning to raise awareness of the devasting impact of road death and to try to spare future families the heartache they have experienced. Group members have successfully campaigned on the issue of second post-mortems, and are currently campaigning for legislative change regarding ‘hit-and-run’ collisions. They also organise an annual Service of Remembrance, wrote an anthology and organise an annual ‘walk-and-talk’.

The group received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2023 – the highest award a volunteer group can receive in the UK and the equivalent of an MBE.

RoadPeace West Midlands have been supported by members from RoadPeace West Mercia and RoadPeace Siblings with this project.

If you would like to know more about RoadPeace West Midlands, or if you are bereaved and would like to attend a support meeting please email the coordinator, Lucy (lucy.harrison@roadpeace.org).

Lucy Harrison

Lucy’s brother, Peter, was killed by a driver doing 93mph on the Hagley Road West, in November 2014. The driver fled the scene, swapping seats with his girlfriend, before calling the police. He eventually pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, receiving 4.5 years in prison and a driving ban of 5 years.

Lucy coordinates RoadPeace West Midlands, West Mercia and Siblings on a voluntary basis, and works for RoadPeace as the West Mercia Project Outreach Coordinator.

Lucy is passionate about ensuring grieving families are given the support and information they desperately need, improving the justice system and enabling and empowering victims.

Lucy said: “The collaborative efforts from all parties in making this project happen have been amazing and emotional. All too often it can feel like nobody is listening to crash victims and it would be easy to lose hope – but by coming together in this way we are showing there is a community that cares and that will keep pushing for change”.

Abbie Brooks

Abbie’s sister, Molly, died following a road traffic collision in November 2022. The driver of the car that Molly was a passenger in was under the influence, unlicensed and uninsured. He later pled guilty and was sentenced to eleven years in prison.

Abbie is a member of the RoadPeace Siblings Group and has recently started work for RoadPeace as the Resilience Building Programme Coordinator. 

Abbie is passionate about raising awareness of sibling loss, and has supported Lucy with this project.

Abbie said: “Driving is often viewed as a right of passage and not the privilege it is. The attitude and complacency surrounding road traffic collisions needs to be highlighted, and coming together as a united team with all members in the project has helped us do that. Change needs to happen and this community will keep striving until it does.”

The Birmingham Youth Offending Service (YOS) works with children, young people, their families and victims across the city to support their need to live a safe, positive life with an aspirational future.

Part of their work with young people is working with charities and the local community to understand the impact their actions have had and try to make things better for the people affected, and to take part in positive work in the community.

What is Restorative Justice?

Under the Victims Code of Practice, Victims of Crime have the Right to be given information on Restorative Justice.

Restorative Justice empowers everyone affected by crime to communicate in order to move forwards. Restorative Justice gives people who have been harmed the chance to talk about the impact of the incident and seek answers in a face-to-face meeting, via video, or through letters.

Restorative Justice allows victims to have their voices heard; to detail the impact the crime had on them, and to seek answers to questions they have. It also helps the person responsible for the harm to understand the impact of their actions, and can encourage and inspire them to change their behaviour.

Know your rights as a victim – Victim and Witness Information

The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales and supporting public information materials - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What is Birmingham Youth Offending Service’s (BYOS) Restorative Justice Offer?

BYOS are committed to working restoratively with the person harmed, children, their parents, carers, families and our communities.

Restorative Support Specialists take into consideration the needs and wishes of all those affected by criminal, anti-social or unacceptable behaviour. They will aim to provide a safe environment in which to restore the balance in the community and repair the harm that has been caused by inappropriate actions or behaviour of the children we work with. We will identify restorative justice as a response to a wrongdoing and focus on restoration for the harm that has been caused, holding the harmer accountable for their behaviour and restoring community cohesion.

Reparation is a practical way to make amends for the harm caused by the offending behaviour, either by directly repairing the harm, or indirectly through constructive work to help the local community.  It is designed to help children understand the consequences of offending and to take responsibility for their behaviour. The victim is consulted about what could be done either for them (direct reparation) or what they feel may assist in the community (indirect reparation). All reparation work is supervised at all times by staff from BYOS.

Mainly community based work, such as helping a local charity, repair furniture or clean buildings. It can include general maintenance, cleaning or clearing work at local community centres, care homes, or on council land. It can also include creating / making things to sell with the money made going to a charity of the victim’s choice. This type of reparation gives back to the local community. Victims can be consulted in terms of what community reparation is available and share their views on what they feel would be a good way for the young person to repair the harm.

Birmingham Cathedral is beautiful historic building surrounded by the largest green space in the city centre. Inside, visitors can enjoy a peaceful, reflective space and gaze upon some of the world's finest stained-glass windows, designed by Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones. The cathedral is open daily and holds services throughout the week. Cathedral Square is used by over 20,000 people every day and is surrounded by tall railings on all sides.

The cathedral is committed to the Church of England's ambitions of becoming Net Zero Carbon by 2030. Their team of clergy, staff, volunteers and worshippers are working together to ensure the building and surrounding grounds are maintained in a sustainable manner. This will ensure visitors and the wider community can be served for many more years to come. Work is also ongoing to promote and embed a sustainable culture – encouraging people to consider the challenges arising from the impact of climate change in their everyday lifestyle choices.

The cathedral reached out to the RoadPeace West Midlands group about a project to raise awareness of the need to reduce road danger across the city.

Andy Delmege

Andy is Canon Missioner at Birmingham Cathedral, helping the cathedral in its role of reaching out into the region to help build a better Birmingham.  This includes chairing the cathedral's Eco Church Group.

Andy first contacted RoadPeace West Midlands about the project, alongside close supporter and friend of the group, The Reverend Jeremy Allcock from St Martin in the Bull Ring.

Andy said: "As a person of faith I am deeply disturbed by the number of people killed and injured in our city in road traffic collisions.  It has been a pleasure to work closely with RoadPeace and the Youth Offending Service to highlight the consequences of this, and to seek a city where all can travel safely. Our central location attracts visitors from all over our busy city and the wider region, who travel to us by various means. We want to promote sustainable travel choices, but also support efforts to ensure the safety of all road users – particularly those choosing to walk or cycle in the city. By supporting the work of RoadPeace and their partners, we hope to raise awareness of the effect of unnecessary tragedies and play a role in promoting a safe and sustainable future for all.”

St. Martin in the Bull Ring is the historic parish church of Birmingham and has been in its present location since at the least the 12^th century when Birmingham was little more than a village. It remains a vibrant worshipping community at the heart of the city centre with a growing congregation of Christian disciples from a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, and languages. St. Martin’s aspire to be a church which is ‘wholehearted in welcome, generous in hospitality, genuine in friendship, compassionate in support’ and this includes providing a base and a home to a number of wonderful charities and community groups who provide invaluable support in a whole variety of ways to people across Birmingham and the West Midlands. This includes RoadPeace West Midlands.

Our doors are open to anyone and people in their thousands visit St. Martin’s every week – some out of curiosity, some to admire the building, some to learn about the history; others to seek support, find a listening ear, experience kindness; many to light candles, say a prayer and experience peace in the midst of a busy city centre. All are welcome.

Revd Jeremy Allcock

Revd Jeremy Allcock, Rector St. Martin in the Bull Ring, said: “It is an honour and a privilege for St. Martin in the Bull Ring to be home to RoadPeace West Midlands. They are an extraordinary organisation, consisting of wonderful, courageous, and caring people who together provide something invaluable to those who have lost loved ones in road traffic collisions. What they do is amazing, who they are is even more remarkable. For me personally, the members of the group have opened my eyes, changed my thinking, and become friends. I pray that RoadPeace will continue to be a blessing to all those who lose a loved one in the bitterest of circumstances, and collectively use their voice to seek greater justice for the grieving families, and to challenge us all about how we use our roads.”

Juliette Farrell

Juliette Farrell, Hospitality Manager, said: “We are glad that St. Martin’s is not just a place where the group meets – it has become a home, a safe space, a partnership and a friendship. It is also a place where annually we gather to commemorate World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Everyone at St. Martin’s is so proud they have received the Kings Award for Voluntary Service – a well-deserved recognition for this special group of people.”

CFG offer specialist legal services to families who have sadly been bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes. But their experience covers so much more than law. They also have clinically trained colleagues who can help by providing full wraparound support, including emotional and psychological support, as well as financial help. They have worked closely with RoadPeace West Midlands for a number of years, supporting the group with numerous projects and helping their members. They are also on the legal panel for RoadPeace.

Michelle Cresswell

Michelle is a Partner and catastrophic injury solicitor at CFG and has worked since 2007 supporting clients and families who have been seriously injured or bereaved as a result of road traffic collisions.

Michelle is compassionate and caring, and fights for justice for people who have been affected by road crashes.

Michelle said: "I have seen the devastating impact road traffic deaths can have on families and have seen the fantastic work RoadPeace do to support and bring together those affected. As Lucy Harrison, the RoadPeace West Midlands Coordinator once explained it is a group none of them wanted to be a part of but one they couldn’t be without and this has stuck with me. I have been privileged to be able to meet members of this group on remembrance days and group walks and to listen to their stories of loss but also their stories of life, hearing about the lives of their loved ones which is so important and should never be forgotten."

Emma Dugdale

In her role at CFG, Emma has worked extensively with the RoadPeace West Midlands group and has been involved in several key projects with the group, including helping to create their remembrance anthology, sharing stories of those affected by road crashes.

Emma said: "It's such a privilege to work so closely with the group and to share their stories. The group and its members never fail to amaze me with their resilience and drive for change. It means a great deal to be able to work alongside them, and all the other people involved, to bring this project to life and to fight for the changes that are so desperately needed on our roads." 

Joinex is a family owned company who specialise in bespoke services within trades such as manufacturing, glass works, acrylic, plastic fabrication and graphic print production. Joinex created and kindly donated the lettering and large doves for this project.