We were getting out and about in the community during Restorative Justice Week 19th-26th November. Restorative Gloucestershire Team were out with Community Engagement Vehicle CEV and Police Community Support Team, meeting and chatting with the over 50 members of the public in Cheltenham High Street raising awareness of Restorative Gloucestershire and the work we do. Meeting and talking with people enables them to ask questions, for people to open up and reflect on how they can interact with others to build relationships within their communities. Some of the restorative conversations were quite emotional for people; when thinking about an incident such as a burglary or neighbour dispute, reflecting on how it affected them and their families. Explaining that they can voluntarily take part in a Restorative Intervention to repair the harm that has been caused, as long as the other party is willing, is something that these people are now aware they have the opportunity to participate in.
The Restorative Gloucestershire Team will continue to bring awareness of Restorative Practice to the communities of Gloucestershire.