Reflecting on a busy year at Why me?
This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Officer, Isabelle Gius, who is leaving the Why me? team this January.
It is with mixed emotions that I am saying goodbye to Why me? after an exciting year as Communications and Campaigns Officer. It feels like forever ago – and yet no time at all – that I was writing my introductory blog about the shared principles of RJ and harm reduction and feeling nervous to introduce myself to the Why me? community! Nearly a year later, it is time for me to move on, and I am reflecting on the most impactful moments over the course of my role.
I joined the Why me? team as part of the Rank Foundation’s Time to Shine Programme. Time to Shine is a 12-month leadership programme for people who are just starting their career in the charity sector, enabling them to develop skills and confidence through a combination of personal and professional development activities, residential events, and small-group action learning meetings.
With a background in journalism, harm reduction, and gender studies, I spent my first weeks at Why me? getting up to speed with the basics of Restorative Justice and trying to understand the many different actors and institutions that make up the UK’s criminal justice system. The more I learned about RJ, the more excited I became about its many applications – from institutional harm, to addressing the root causes of homophobia, to building stronger communities.
I was lucky enough to be involved in a variety of creative, meaningful projects at Why me?, beginning with our billboard campaign in April. Four designs appeared on hundreds of billboards across the UK, including billboards in central London, directly across the street from police headquarters, and even outside my bedroom window! An RJ campaign of this scale was completely unprecedented, and I was proud to be a part of the team that amplified this crucial message to previously unknown audiences.
Another highlight was conceptualising and hosting Series 2 of the Restorative Talks podcast. It was an honour to work with three Why me? Ambassadors – Andy, Sheldon, and Will – and be trusted to share their stories. Building relationships with lived experience ambassadors has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my role, and our two-day recording session in West London was a real highlight. I am so pleased with how the episodes have turned out, and I cannot wait for them to be released in late January. Watch this space for more details!
Of course, I can’t forget our short film – What would you say? – which has already been viewed over 6,000 times on Youtube and Instagram. Watching the talented cast and crew create the film, I was struck by the sheer amount of time, effort, and moving parts that were required. The final product is a testament to the life-changing power of RJ, and I hope that people continue to watch and share into 2025 and beyond.
I really believe that Restorative Justice is the future, and I am confident that Why me? will be at the forefront of this vital work, campaigning to embed RJ at all levels of our justice system and our society. Even and especially in the face of polarisation, violence, and inequality, dialogue and connection is a powerful thing. Thank you to the Why me? Team and the Rank Foundation for your support over this whirlwind year.
Why me?’s CEO, Sara Dowling, says “From all of us at Why me?, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to Isabelle for everything she contributed this year, as well as thanking her for being a brilliant team member. We are delighted with what we were able to achieve with Isabelle’s input, and the benefits of her time here will be felt for years to come. We wish her all the best as she embarks on the next steps of her leadership journey!”
