A new support organisation has been launched to help families affected by road deaths and serious collisions.
Road to Change CIC, established this year, offers peer support, advocacy for compassionate treatment in the justice system, and spaces for remembrance for those impacted by road harm.
The organisation was formed following the closure of the national charity RoadPeace and is committed to ensuring that no family has to face the trauma of road death or serious injury alone.
Lucy Harrison, a director of Road to Change whose brother Peter Price was killed by a speeding driver, said: "The closure of the other charity was very sudden and unexpected. We were told it was shutting on the day it shut.
"I was involved with our West Midlands and West Mercia groups, and I remember thinking, am I supposed to just abandon all these bereaved families?
"I knew we had to keep going somehow."
Ms Harrison, from Redditch, met informally with HCC Solicitors and CFG Law, who offered support in setting up the CIC.
She said: "We then got the families from the groups involved to help come up with a name and a logo.
"I wanted everyone to feel part of it."
The organisation has also received backing from Transport for the West Midlands, the PCC, and other partners.
Joanna Mervyn, from HCC Solicitors, whose role covers charities and partnerships, said being involved in Road to Change CIC was an opportunity to bring key organisations together for meaningful change.
She said: "Being involved with Road for Change sat nicely with the work we do.
"I met Lucy about eight months ago and I'd heard a lot about the great work she does with families.
"I knew I wanted to personally be involved in the mission to see an end to the devastation caused by preventable road deaths."
Ms Mervyn serves as a director alongside Ms Harrison, Rob Myer of HCC Solicitors, and Steve Maloret and Emma Dugdale of CFG Law.
Road for Change CIC has since worked in partnership with Birmingham Children's Trust, CFG Law and HCC Solicitors to create the Road to Change Remembrance Garden at Pype Hayes Park in Birmingham.
The garden, which has been designed as a calm and comforting space for those bereaved or seriously injured through road collisions, offers a place for reflection and remembrance.
The space has been shaped by a unique collaboration between families affected by road harm and young people involved in driving-related offences through the Birmingham Children's Trust Youth Justice Service.
Ms Harrison said: "The garden started at RoadPeace, so when they closed, it was a bit of a panic, but we managed to bring everyone together to make sure it still happened.
"It was only delayed in opening by a month and I think it's turned out better than it would have been. It is such a special space."
Steve Maloret said: "It is impossible not to be impressed with Lucy and her will and determination. CFG had been involved with RoadPeace previously, so when it closed, it was not an option to let the progress made and the West Midlands group go.
"The links with the Youth Justice System is so invaluable. We often hear about the statistics on road deaths, but there is something quite powerful in being able to put faces and names to those affected by road deaths.
"It is so important to highlight the real impact it has on families and that their loved ones were more than a statistic."
Families came together in July to mark the opening of the garden, which features a post box for families to send messages to their loved ones and mosaic butterflies.
Ms Mervyn said: "It was lovely to see it all come together. At the opening, members of the public stopped to ask about Road for Change CIC and the garden, so although it was a very sad and emotional day, it was also positive in terms of raising more awareness for the organisation.
"There were a few tears, but it was also so special to come together to remember those who have died. The butterflies also looked amazing."
Ms Harrison said: "We had a lot of messages afterwards to say how much it had meant to people to have that space. The members of the group have had their family members' names inscribed in the garden, but we will be extending this offer to others in the future."
Although in its early stages, the organisation will also be continuing its campaign work to improve road safety and justice outcomes for families.
Ms Harrison said: "We've only been running for a few months, so we're focussing on the support aspect at the moment, but when we're properly up and running, we will be continuing with our campaign work.
"Justice is such a wide issue, from how loved ones are treated, including their possessions, to how families can feel able to share their stories in a society that struggles to accept bereavement.
"When the first pedestrian was killed in 1896, the coroner said they hoped a tragedy like that would never happen again.
"There are now more cars on our road than ever before - what do the next 10 or 20 years look like? We have to do something.
"I just want to thank everyone who has stuck by us since January. We couldn't do this without the families and their continued support."
Information in the garden connects visitors directly to support and the work of both Road to Change C.I.C. and Birmingham Children’s Trust.
You can also find out more by emailing support@roadtochange.co.uk
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