Sutton Night Watch Team Qualify as Restorative Justice Facilitators

We’re proud to share that several members of the Sutton Night Watch team have officially qualified as Restorative Justice facilitators. This is an important milestone for us, not only as individuals, but as a team committed to compassion, understanding and positive change within our community.

The training, delivered through the Chris Donovan Trust, equips facilitators with the skills needed to bring together victims and offenders in a safe, structured setting. Restorative Justice provides a powerful opportunity for open dialogue, accountability, and, where possible, healing. It’s a process that puts human connection at its heart, something we value deeply at Sutton Night Watch.

Over several weeks, our team members undertook intensive learning, real-world case exploration, and role-play scenarios to understand how best to support people on both sides of harm. Now qualified, we are better prepared to create space for difficult but transformative conversations between those who have caused harm and those affected by it.

Our thanks go to Ray and Vi Donovan, founders of the Chris Donovan Trust, for leading such a moving and impactful course. Their own story, and their dedication to turning personal tragedy into meaningful action, set the tone for the training and inspired everyone involved. If you’re not familiar with their work, we encourage you to visit their website and learn more about the incredible journey they’ve been on: chrisdonovantrust.org.

As a homelessness charity, we see the effects of trauma, marginalisation, and exclusion every day. The principles of Restorative Justice align closely with our values, recognising people’s humanity, holding space for change, and giving voice to those who often go unheard. This training strengthens our approach and gives us another way to support our service users, many of whom are seeking closure, understanding, or simply a chance to be listened to without judgement.

We’re excited to see how this qualification will shape our work moving forward. Whether it’s helping to mediate conflict, offering new pathways for growth, or simply understanding the wider impact of harm, our team is now better equipped to support our community with empathy and care.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible, and especially to Ray and Vi for their commitment to helping others move forward with dignity and hope.