Meet the team
We are a small charity with national reach. Our passionate team of staff are dedicated to improving access to Restorative Justice for people affected by crime.
Sara Dowling
Sara is our CEO. She has over 30 years experience working in the charity sector and has a strong background in charity leadership, organisational development and income generation. She is responsible for the leadership and day-to-day management of Why me?. Working closely with the Board, Sara will support the development of our long term strategy and ensure Why me? is a sustainable and well run organisation.
Before joining Why me? Sara was Deputy CEO of RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, an organisation that supports victims of road crime. It was through this work that Sara observed first hand the failures of our Criminal Justice System to support victims, deliver meaningful justice and prevent suffering. Sara is passionate about the possibilities of Restorative Justice to transform lives.
Keeva Baxter
Keeva Baxter is our Communications and Campaigns Manager. She uses a variety of platforms, from social media, to our weekly newsletter, podcasts, videos, billboards and the website to promote access to Restorative Justice and the work of Why me?. She also looks after our group of Ambassadors, who have lived-experience of Restorative Justice after crime. Keeva manages Why me?’s events and forums, bringing together the Restorative Justice community to discuss key issues in the field. She is also currently leading our Damage and Repair project, which is archiving stories of Restorative Justice over 20 years and our project on the use of Restorative Justice for Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Keeva graduated from Sussex University with a degree in Law and went on to study a Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Masters degree. Through her studies she learnt about the power of Restorative Justice for people affected by crime and the importance of empathy and dialogue.
Rhiannon Vivian
Rhiannon is our Team Administrator, supporting the day to day processes of the charity.
Rhiannon has worn many hats over the years, from PA support, to national newspaper journalist, to copywriter, and even improv facilitator and performer. After many years working within marketing and advertising, Rhiannon felt drawn to the charity sector. She was particularly interested in Why me? and the remarkable power of Restorative Justice – impressed and fascinated by the way it can provably transform lives.
Anika Cosgrove
Anika is our Restorative Justice Programme Manager who supports the delivery of Restorative Justice through both the Interfaith and Alternative Provision projects. She is also responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships, promoting Restorative Justice advocacy and signposting.
She has over 15 years experience in Restorative Justice, multi-agency work, stakeholder engagement and criminal justice, always with the overarching aim of collaborative approaches. She has previously worked for Greater Manchester Probation Service, Youth Justice Service, third sector Restorative Justice Service and most recently a local authority role coordinating pathways for adults experiencing County Lines, Criminal and Sexual Exploitation and Serious Violence.
Having facilitated processes for many victims of crime, Anika has found the strength, courage and resilience of victims and survivors inspirational. Through facilitation, Anika has witnessed the powerful change for individuals in the process and feels it has had a profound effect on her own life and her character. She believes that Restorative Justice could support many more victims and survivors through trauma recovery, by giving them a voice which so often is silenced.
If you are interested in joining the Why me? team, check for vacancies on the Get Involved page.
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