Welcome to the opportunity to contribute to a special collection of 100 restorative stories from across Portsmouth.
This exciting initiative forms part of the city’s 100-year celebration and is being led by Portsmouth Mediation Service, which is also celebrating its 30th anniversary.
We are inviting stories and images from anyone with an inspiring example of relational and restorative practice—whether from your workplace, home, or community.
This unique project has grown out of the Relational & Restorative Practice Community of Inquiry, supported by Portsmouth City Council, the University of Portsmouth, and members of the voluntary and community sector.
Initially, the stories and images will be displayed on this page. However, in the coming weeks and months, we hope to bring these powerful, vision-inspiring stories to life in new and creative ways—potentially showcasing them on buildings and walls across Portsmouth. We are also exploring other innovative formats, such as “liquid books.”
How It Works
- Click the link: Submit Your Restorative Story. Here, you can share your story and upload a photograph or your organisation’s logo.
- You will receive confirmation once your story has been successfully submitted. It will then be reviewed.
- Once approved, your story will be published. If any amendments are needed, we will contact you as soon as possible
We are confident that there are many positive and heartwarming stories of people across Portsmouth helping to build peace and prosperity through restorative practice. By sharing what is transforming our own families and communities, we hope to inspire others to follow.
Latest Stories
- Rebuilding More Than an Extension
By Jo Freemantle , Portsmouth Mediation Service. A young family commissioned a local building company to complete an extension to their home. As the project progressed, delays and communication difficulties led to frustration on both sides. The homeowners felt stressed living in a building site with young children and worried about when the work would…
Read more - A Conversation that Changed Everything
By Katie Porter, Portsmouth Mediation Service . My work as an Assessment Officer with Portsmouth Mediation Service is aimed at helping neighbours who get caught up in conflict and disagreements to repair the harm and restore their relationships. It is extremely uplifting for me when I can help neighbours in difficult, challenging situations to better…
Read more - A moment with Mum
By Sharon Court, Portsmouth City Council. I was in Tesco several months ago and as I turned into one of the chilled aisles, I saw a Mum and her young child on the floor by one of the fridges. Mum was on her knees and her child was standing up, so they were both at…
Read more - Coming Full Circle
By Sue Knight, The Aftershock Project. Growing up, I did not have the language for much of what I was witnessing around me. I grew up in an Armed Forces family. My father served as a bomb disposal operator in Northern Ireland, my mother served, and later my brother also deployed overseas. Like many military…
Read more - From Migration to Connection Through Art and Movement
By Sally Zurita, Bailando with Sally. As a Bolivian woman who migrated to the UK, I experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to rebuild identity, connection, and emotional wellbeing in a new environment. Throughout my life, dance and art became more than creative expression — they became tools for healing, resilience, and belonging. What…
Read more - Portsmouth Terraced
By Nadiya, Portsmouth Mediation Service. The terraced house had once been a family home before being divided into two rented flats. Poor soundproofing meant the building carried noise constantly. Every footstep upstairs echoed below, while conversations downstairs travelled clearly through the ceilings and walls.Upstairs lived a domestic abuse survivor and family member who had rented…
Read more