To, not, for or with?: how a restorative approach might inform safeguarding practice (CPD workshop)
Dec
10
10:00 am10:00

To, not, for or with?: how a restorative approach might inform safeguarding practice (CPD workshop)

This practical 2.5 hour workshop shares best practice in a restorative approach to the handling of a safeguarding disclosure.

When a child or adult discloses a safeguarding concern, a golden opportunity can easily be missed if the response is insensitive. We will co-design the best approach to handling safeguarding disclosures, drawing on restorative tools and practice using real life scenarios. We will consider how best to speak about confidentiality and reflect on culturally sensitive practice in a safeguarding context. The format of the workshop will be very interactive and involve circle discussions, breakout room group work, and opportunities for skills practice.

The workshop will be facilitated by Colette Selwood and Pete Wallis, both highly experienced restorative practitioners and trainers in both child and adult contexts, with specialties in youth justice. Colette has also been one of the trainers for Oxfordshire Children Safeguarding Board for several years.

This event has been CPD approved by the Restorative Justice Council. Attendees who participate in the full 2.5 hours of the workshop will receive a certificate for 2.5 CPD hours.

Registration is now open!

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Jan
12
1:30 pm13:30

Campaigning without polarisation: how can I contribute to a better world without further fracturing society?

We are partnering with the Sheila McKechnie Foundation to host this event exploring the use of restorative approaches in campaigning. The event will cover how restorative approaches could be relevant in campaigning and include time for discussion in breakout rooms on what this might look like in practice.

More information and booking coming soon!

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Creating 'a place to go to': using art and design in restorative justice (CPD workshop)
Nov
26
10:00 am10:00

Creating 'a place to go to': using art and design in restorative justice (CPD workshop)

This practical 2.5 hour CPD workshop will provide an exploratory space in which practitioners can learn and practice a variety of creative exercises to be integrated into their own restorative practice.

Practitioners will be invited to participate in and learn creative exercises with the intention that these can later be introduced into restorative processes with clients. The creative exercises will be interspersed with brief visual presentations which will contain the theory and research behind using art and design based approaches within restorative practice. In particular, participants will learn how creative approaches have the potential to enhance dialogues as well as healing.

You don’t need to have any prior experience or knowledge of art and design or of using art materials in order to take part - just enthusiasm and curiosity! 

The workshop will be facilitated by Dr Clair Aldington, a freelance researcher, practitioner and co-founder and Director-Practitioner of Space2face restorative practices and arts charity in Shetland, Scotland. Clair has over 20 years of experience in working in the field of restorative practices, with a focus on using art and design in restorative processes. She has pioneered the use of art and design as an intrinsic part of restorative processes and has authored several academic articles and book chapters on her practice and research.

This event has been CPD approved by the Restorative Justice Council. Attendees who participate in the full 2.5 hours of the workshop will receive a certificate for 2.5 CPD hours.

Registration is now open!

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Conversation not confrontation: strengthening relationships and navigating conflict in churches
Nov
12
12:00 pm12:00

Conversation not confrontation: strengthening relationships and navigating conflict in churches

Revd Jo Williams (Co-Director of Reconciliation, The Blackley Centre), will share with us practical examples of how to have good conversations both inside church congregations and in outward looking work within our local communities. She will equip us with ideas of how to have conversations in restorative ways which will strengthen relationships while addressing issues that occur. She will also point us towards the theory and theology of restorative practice and how this is relevant to those in church ministry.

This event marks the launch of the newly established Churches Restorative Practice Network, which seeks to draw together church leaders and members in the UK who are interested in developing the use of restorative approaches in churches and equipping and supporting church leaders to build the skills needed to bring about healing and reconciliation in their congregations.

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Police and community listening circles
Jul
16
12:00 pm12:00

Police and community listening circles

Sargeant Sandra Smith and Samantha Alexander (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire Women of Colour in Policing Movement) will share their success in running listening circles with police and marginalised groups, specifically women and girls from minority groups who have been affected by male violence against women and girls.

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Relational and Restorative Organisations (Online Conference)
Jun
18
10:00 am10:00

Relational and Restorative Organisations (Online Conference)

Join us at this one day online conference as we explore what it means to be a relational and restorative organisation and practical ways to embed restorative approaches in our culture and ways of working. We will think about what this means for us as individuals and how we can influence our organisations to be more relational.

The format will be varied and interactive, including presentations, breakout room discussions, conversations with experts, and opportunities to reflect on and share learning.

This conference has CPD Approval from the Restorative Justice Council.

Conference registration now open! Early Bird ticket deadline has been extended to the 4th of June!

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Becoming a Trauma-informed Restorative Educator
May
7
12:00 pm12:00

Becoming a Trauma-informed Restorative Educator

Margaret Thorsborne and Joe Brummer will discuss how individual educators can bring trauma informed restorative practice into their day-to-day work.

Margaret and Joe will share theory and research from their book Becoming a Trauma-informed Restorative Educator: Practical Skills to Change Culture and Behaviour, including insights from neuroscience and theories about shame.

Event registration is 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.

Event registration now open!

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Building Bridges: interactive knowledge sharing event on embedding restorative practice
Mar
26
12:00 pm12:00

Building Bridges: interactive knowledge sharing event on embedding restorative practice

Join us to discuss the topics covered in our Reflection Aids for Restorative Leaders as we share with each other what we have learned so far about embedding restorative practice and think about what’s next. The knowledge sharing event will be interactive and give you an opportunity to not only engage with the themes in the reflection aids but also build bridges with others by sharing your thoughts, experiences, and learning, and listen to others.

This is a free event but booking is essential!

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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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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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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:

Book Now
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