At RJ4All, we like to be brave and innovative. Building on the idea of “restorative justice cities” we set off on an exciting journey to build the world’s first restorative justice postcode! This local initiative is linked with our global effort to boost restorative justice as a world social justice movement. To this end, we connected this programme with our International Restorative Justice Pledge.
A restorative justice postcode will more equally distribute power throughout the community and address harm through restorative justice practices. With an understanding of restorative justice principles, key stakeholders will collaborate to alleviate poverty, reduce crime, support young people, celebrate diversity, and repair harm.
Our vision
Building the world’s restorative justice postcode
At RJ4All, we believe that power abuse is the biggest silent driver of inequalities, human rights violations and community tensions. We also have evidence to believe that trust in public services is declining and that a new social contract between communities and governments is needed. We want to root out greed and disseminate power in a more equal way. We know that we can do this by starting locally from our own neighbourhood in South East London.
Using our post-code (SE16) and the values and principles of restorative justice, we set off on a journey to bring together those who hold local power and our local community to build the world’s first restorative post-code.
Narrated by RJ4All’s Founder and Director Dr. Theo Gavrielides, the video (5 minutes) articulates his vision of building the world’s first restorative justice postcode
What does the success look like?
On paper, this means that these key stakeholders have signed up to a Restorative Justice Postcode Memorandum of Understanding, and ensure that their day-to-day practices are guided by it.
In practice, this means that community members get to experience a more equal distribution of local power, while they start feeling that their voice is heard and included in decision-making processes that impact on them.
In the next five years, we envision a restorative justice postcode where we can achieve:
The Restorative Justice Postcode Research Project
At RJ4All, our commitment extends beyond our passion for our work – it encompasses how we conduct and evaluate it. Starting from January 1, 2023, once all our comprehensive services were established at the RJ4All Rotherhithe Community Centre, we initiated a concurrent research project spanning the next five years. This project aims to bolster our restorative justice postcode vision. The insights gained will pave the way for pioneering future restorative justice postcodes in London and globally, employing user-led and data-driven methodologies.
We employ a quantitative approach to assess our Centre’s impact, diligently logging each user’s details, including postcode and basic demographics. Qualitatively, we carry out post and pre-intervention interviews using The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scales – WEMWBS, focus groups, online and offline questionnaires and case studies.
The Restorative Justice Postcode Steering Group
The Steering Group’s primary function is to offer strategic support, guidance, and promotion to the SE16 Restorative Justice Postcode programme. Moreover, it will:
1. Help develop and implement the Restorative Justice Memorandum of Understanding,
2. Help develop and implement the project’s communication and dissemination strategy,
3. Help recruit the project’s wider network and stakeholders,
4. Provide critical and constructive feedback on (a) results and impact (b) project content and development,
5. Help with project sustainability.
Our impact
Quarterly impact report
Our quarterly impact report series offers a thorough insight into:
1. The Role and Contribution of RJ4All Steering Group: Highlights the vital contributions and activities of the RJ4All steering group, showcasing their pivotal role in guiding and shaping our initiatives.
2. Updates About Project Development and Adjustment: Provides crucial updates on the progress, evolution, and any adjustments made to ongoing projects. This section ensures transparency and keeps stakeholders informed about the dynamic nature of our work.
3. Feedbacks, Demands, and Hopes from Community Members: Presents valuable feedback received from community members, capturing their demands and hopes. This section serves as a direct channel for community input, ensuring our initiatives align with the needs and aspirations of those we serve.
These reports serve as invaluable resources for the RJ4All steering group, project development teams, and other stakeholders. By offering a comprehensive overview, they contribute to our mission of establishing the first Restorative Justice Postcode
Case Study
Read our brief case study about our vision and approaches to build the world’s first restorative justice postcode in SE16
Support our vision!
Subscribe to get more updates.