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The Sacro Podcast

Sacro is a Scottish community justice organisation which works to deliver life-changing services that empower people, give hope and protection, and help to build safe communities by reducing conflict and offending. In this podcast, we explore some of the ways we use our 50+ years of experience, best practice and evidence-based services to achieve our goals.

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  1. 23

    Restorative Justice: A Sheriff's View

    As it’s Restorative Justice Week, we sat down with retired sheriff and Sacro Board Member, David Mackie.Through his work as a Sheriff, David developed a belief in the power of redemption and applied compassion and understanding of both the victims and perpetrators of crime to his personal judicial practice. So what are his views and experiences of restorative justice?David was in private practice as a Solicitor and an Advocate for 25 years before being appointed a Sheriff in 2001. For 15 years until his retirement from the Bench in 2019, he sat as the resident Sheriff in Alloa Sheriff Court. David is a Board member at Sacro and several other charities and has been advising the government on the reform of the Children’s Hearings System as chair of the working group.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  2. 22

    Peer Mediation in Scotland (Part Two)

    For this two-part podcast, Robert chats with Richard Hendry, an experienced practitioner and trainer of peer mediation in Scotland. Having worked in education for over 20 years, Richard worked with Sacro in the 1990s to help develop peer mediation and restorative practices within the organisation.Over the years he has helped many schools develop this approach to conflict resolution. Nowadays Richard works as a freelance consultant, supporting schools with peer mediation training.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  3. 21

    Peer Mediation in Scotland (Part One)

    For this two-part podcast, Robert chats with Richard Hendry, an experienced practitioner and trainer of peer mediation in Scotland. Having worked in education for over 20 years, Richard worked with Sacro in the 1990s to help develop peer mediation and restorative practices within the organisation.Over the years he has helped many schools develop this approach to conflict resolution. Nowadays Richard works as a freelance consultant, supporting schools with peer mediation training.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  4. 20

    Community Safety Support in Fife

    Mediation is a flexible and effective way of finding solutions to all sorts of conflicts and disagreements. Unlike many other ways of dealing with conflict, mediation is quick, private, often free, and helps find solutions everyone can live with. In this episode our mediation co-ordinator, Robert, talks to Ann, about her experiences as a mediator with Sacro’s Community Safety Support Service in Fife. Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  5. 19

    What I Learned About Mediation

    In this episode, we are joined by Caitlin Tiffany, a recent participant on one of our mediation courses. Here, she talks about her experience of the course, what she has learned from it and how she expects to apply these skills in the future. Caitlin is talking to Robert, one of the mediation trainers with Sacro’s Scottish Community Mediation centre.To find out more about Sacro's mediation services and courses, visit scmc.sacro.org.ukFind out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  6. 18

    Scottish Community Mediation Centre and the Pandemic

    In this short series of four episodes, we are looking at the work of The Scottish Community Mediation Centre. Managed by Sacro, the Centre works to support the development of mediation services across Scotland by providing training and consultancy services in community mediation, restorative skills, and conflict resolution.The Centre has been helping others to resolve conflict for over 25 years now and we felt now would be a good time to reflect on the development of mediation over that period.For the series, we are joined by Ian McDonough, a recognised authority on conflict resolution, and the man tasked with setting up the centre and managing it through its early development. Ian continues to deliver training through the centre and for this, our final episode in the series, looks at the Centre's response to the Covid pandemic and the changes to delivery forced by the situation.For more information on mediation, visit the Centre's website. scmc.sacro.org.ukFind out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  7. 17

    The Scottish Community Mediation Centre's Mediation Course

    In this short series of four episodes, we are looking at the work of The Scottish Community Mediation Centre. Managed by Sacro, the Centre works to support the development of mediation services across Scotland by providing training and consultancy services in community mediation, restorative skills, and conflict resolution.The Centre has been helping others to resolve conflict for over 25 years now and we felt now would be a good time to reflect on the development of mediation over that period.For the series, we are joined by Ian McDonough, a recognised authority on conflict resolution, and the man tasked with setting up the centre and managing it through its early development. Ian continues to deliver training through the centre and for this, our third episode of four, looks at the Centre's Mediation course.For more information on mediation, visit the Centre's website. scmc.sacro.org.ukFind out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  8. 16

    Handling Conflict Constructively

    For the next few episodes, we are looking at the work of The Scottish Community Mediation Centre. Managed by Sacro, the Centre works to support the development of mediation services across Scotland by providing training and consultancy services in community mediation, restorative skills, and conflict resolution.The Centre has been helping others to resolve conflict for over 25 years now and we felt now would be a good time to reflect on the development of mediation over that period.For this series, we are joined by Ian McDonough, a recognised authority on conflict resolution, and the man tasked with setting up the centre and managing it through its early development. Ian continues to deliver training through the centre and for this episode, looks at the Centre's Handling Conflict Constructively course.For more information on mediation, visit the Centre's website. scmc.sacro.org.ukFind out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  9. 15

    The Origins of Sacro's Mediation Services

    For the next few episodes, we are looking at the work of The Scottish Community Mediation Centre. Managed by Sacro, the Centre works to support the development of mediation services across Scotland by providing training and consultancy services in community mediation, restorative skills, and conflict resolution.The Centre has been helping others to resolve conflict for over 25 years now and we felt now would be a good time to reflect on the development of mediation over that period.For this series, we are joined by Ian McDonough, a recognised authority on conflict resolution, and the man tasked with setting up the centre and managing it through its early development. Ian continues to deliver training through the centre and for this episode, looks at the origins of mediation in Scotland and reflects on the establishment of the Scottish Community Mediation Centre.For more information on mediation, visit the Centre's website. scmc.sacro.org.ukFind out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  10. 14

    Shining On: The Volunteer's Role

    The Shine Women's Mentoring Service supports women across Scotland to make real and positive changes to their lives following involvement with the justice system.In this episode, we're looking at the Shining On service with mentor, Corina and volunteer, Tammy. Shining On is an extension to Shine which is delivered by volunteers and provides practical and emotional support to women after their involvement with Shine.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  11. 13

    Managing Shine across Scotland

    The Shine Women's Mentoring Service supports women across Scotland in making real and positive changes to their lives following involvement with the justice system.In this episode, we're talking about the overall management of Shine with its National Partnership manager, Haydn Pasi.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  12. 12

    Evaluating the Impact of Shine

    As part of its ten-year anniversary, Shine commissioned an independent research company to undertake an extensive evaluation into the performance, impact, outcomes and future development of the service.In preparing their report, The Lines Between interviewed women directly supported by the service as well as mentors and stakeholders from other voluntary and statutory organisations engaging with Shine.In this episode, we speak to Mike Nicholson, Senior Researcher with The Lines Between, to hear about some of the findings and observations resulting from their evaluation.You can also read the report in full on our website at shinementoring.org.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  13. 11

    Karen's story

    The Shine women’s mentoring service supports women across Scotland in making real and positive changes to their lives following involvement with the justice system.Although she received a custodial sentence, Karen was released following a long period of remand and was supported by Shine on her release. In this episode, Karen reflects on her experience, fears and hopes as she chats with Maureen who supported her through the experience.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  14. 10

    The Work of a Prison-based Champion

    In this episode of the Shine Podcast, Robert speaks with Sammy, one of Shine's Prison-based Champions and hears how the role helps prepare women for release from prison, and the support that follows.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  15. 9

    Layla's Story

    The Shine women’s mentoring service supports women across Scotland in making real and positive changes to their lives following involvement with the justice system.In this episode, we hear from Layla and her journey with Shine. Here, she chats with her mentor Abi about the support she received when facing a court appearance – and possible prison sentence – to looking forward to rehab, a new home, and new opportunities.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  16. 8

    Restorative Justice Week 2022

    Welcome to this special podcast to recognise International Restorative Justice Week 2022. For this edition, we speak to Gemma Fraser, Head of Restorative Justice and Recovery at Community Justice Scotland.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  17. 7

    Ten Years of Shine

    The Shine women’s mentoring service supports women across Scotland in making real and positive changes to their lives following involvement with the justice system.In this episode, Adele Hill, Co-Chief Executive of Access to Industry – one of the partner organisations delivering the Shine service – gives her observations of how Shine has developed over its 10 years. Involved at the very beginning of the project, Adele has first-hand experience of the impact Shine has made in supporting women in Scotland.Some terms and acronyms are used during the podcast. To help the listener, these references are:PSP: Public/Social Partnership. A strategic partnership between public and voluntary sector organisations; used as the model for delivery of Shine.CMS: Case Management System. Digital service used to record individual’s details and record progress through the service.TSO: Throughcare Support Officer. A (usually) prison service employee tasked with assisting people transition from life in prison, back to the community.Outcomes Star: An analytics tool used to assess service impact on a number of defined areas where women may need support and improvement to live more stable, independent lives.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  18. 6

    Managing Shine

    The Shine women’s mentoring service supports women across Scotland in making real and positive changes to their lives following involvement with the justice system.In this episode, Shine’s Partnership Manager, Rhona Innes tells us about her role, how the service adapted during the pandemic and what has been learned over Shine’s ten years of operation.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  19. 5

    Shining On

    Shine Women’s Mentoring Service supports women to make real and positive changes in their lives, following involvement in the justice system.In this episode, we speak with Shine’s National Volunteer Co-ordinator, Carlene about their new shining on service and how it augments the existing support provided to women Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  20. 4

    Charlene's Story

    Charlene is just one of the women suported by the Shine Women's Mentoring Service. In this episode she talks about how Shine has helped bring stability to a life of imprisonment, homelessness, addiction and loss.Shine is available all across Scotland and provides mentoring support to  women involved in the criminal justice system. Shine mentors support women to overcome the issues they face in returning to their community and changing their lives for the better.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  21. 3

    Yvonne's Story

    Yvonne is just one of the women suported by the Shine Women's Mentoring Service. In this episode she talks about her struggle to get help, when faced with a court appearance that came out of the blue..Shine is available all across Scotland and provides mentoring support to  women involved in the criminal justice system. Shine mentors support women to overcome the issues they face in returning to their community and changing their lives for the better.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

  22. 2

    Juliette's Story

    Juliette is one of the women suported by the Shine Women's Mentoring Service. In this episode she discusses her experiences of addiction, facing prison and her plans for the future.Shine is available all across Scotland and provides mentoring support to  women involved in the criminal justice system. Shine mentors support women to overcome the issues they face in returning to their community and changing their lives for the better.Find out more about Sacro at sacro.org.uk. 

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Sacro is a Scottish community justice organisation which works to deliver life-changing services that empower people, give hope and protection, and help to build safe communities by reducing conflict and offending. In this podcast, we explore some of the ways we use our 50+ years of experience, best practice and evidence-based services to achieve our goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Sacro Podcast have?

The Sacro Podcast currently has 22 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Sacro Podcast about?

Sacro is a Scottish community justice organisation which works to deliver life-changing services that empower people, give hope and protection, and help to build safe communities by reducing conflict and offending. In this podcast, we explore some of the ways we use our 50+ years of experience,...

How often does The Sacro Podcast release new episodes?

The Sacro Podcast has 22 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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You can listen to The Sacro Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Sacro Podcast?

The Sacro Podcast is created and hosted by Sacro.
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