This article is based on an interview with Shelley Deutsch, volunteer for Why me?. The article was originally published on Calm Mediation’s website, written by Beth Colson. Thank you to Calm for allowing us to share.
When Shelley first attended a conference on Restorative Justice two decades ago in Cardiff, she didn’t yet know it was about to shape the course of her life. By then, she had experience of working in the charity sector at Victim Support and on the public agency side at the Crown Prosecution Service, moving between the hard edges of the criminal justice system. But what she heard about restorative practice – about bringing victims and offenders together in dialogue – was something that really resonated with her.
Today, Shelley is one of the experienced practitioners at Calm Mediation, helping to guide people through a restorative process that meets their needs. Her world is not about dramatic courtroom showdowns or grand statements of forgiveness. It’s about small, painstaking conversations: about accountability and healing.
Training for a Tough Calling
Becoming an RJ practitioner isn’t just a matter of goodwill. Shelley’s journey into the field began with formal training: a four-day course split between morning theory sessions and afternoon roleplays that encouraged her to take on the role of both victim and offender. “You can’t fake empathy,” she says. “You have to feel your way through it.”
From there, she built on her casework experience to a level where she was ready to apply for registered practitioner status with the Restorative Justice Council. First Foundation level, then Intermediate – each stage requiring high quality case studies, supervision logs, and evidence of continuing professional development (CPD). She’s now working towards her Advanced accreditation, though, like many in her field, she finds the paperwork daunting. “It’s ironic,” she laughs, “you spend your days focused on dialogue and connection – and then you’re buried in forms at night.”
The Everyday Reality of RJ Work
Shelley’s cases are rarely straightforward. She has facilitated processes involving high levels of trauma including domestic abuse and identity-based violence. Having the skills and knowledge to recognise and manage risks are paramount to a safe and successful outcome for participants.
“Not every case ends with a handshake,” she admits. “Sometimes the breakthrough is just about supporting participants to engage in a dialogue.”
One of the unique challenges Shelley faces is navigating a professional world where CPD points are the currency of credibility. She carefully identifies accredited podcasts, webinars, and workshops, ensuring every hour logged enhances her skills, keeps her up to date with developments in the field and strengthens her standing as a practitioner. “It’s frustrating because so many brilliant, free sessions don’t count towards formal accreditation. You have to be strategic,” she says.
Why She Stays
Ask Shelley why she remains committed to restorative justice after all these years, and her answer is simple: because it works. She talks about victims who reclaim their voices after being silenced by crime. About young offenders who, through hearing the pain they’ve caused, glimpse the wreckage left behind them – and vow not to reoffend.
“There’s a kind of magic in it,” Shelley says. “You sit in a room where there’s been so much hurt – and somehow, out of that, people start to rebuild something.”
In a justice system that focuses on a punitive response, Shelley’s work offers a quieter, stubbornly hopeful alternative. One conversation at a time.
