Welcoming new Patron Jo Berry CBE
This is a blog by our CEO Sara Dowling.
I am delighted and honoured to announce that Jo Berry CBE – speaker, peacebuilder and founder of the charity Building Bridges for Peace has joined Why me? as our new Patron.
Jo brings with her a powerful story of empathy, connection, and transformation. Following the death of her father Sir Anthony Berry MP in the 1984 Brighton bombing, Jo embarked on a journey that led to a series of profound dialogues with Patrick Magee, the former IRA member who planted the bomb. Together, they have shared platforms around the world, demonstrating the power of restorative dialogues to heal the deepest harms.
Jo’s commitment to deep listening and understanding of those on all sides of conflict resonates deeply with our mission. At Why me? we want to see Restorative Justice at the heart of a compassionate, effective, and just criminal justice system. Jo’s own experience and advocacy exemplify the transformative potential of Restorative Justice, not only for individuals, but for communities and society as a whole.
You can find out more about her work at Building Bridges for Peace here.
As a Patron, Jo will help raise awareness of Restorative Justice and support our work to ensure that everyone affected by crime has access to Restorative Justice.
Jo has written a powerful piece to mark joining Why me? as a Patron and to mark 25 years of peacebuilding.
