On the 31st March 2009 SAMM National became an independent organisation, the service level agreement we have held with Victim Support ceased from that date. The decision not to renew the service level agreement with V.S. was a mutual decision between SAMM and V.S. The SAMM National Office relocated to Birmingham and is housed at Tally Ho! Police Training Centre.  We will be working in close partnership with West Midlands Police. This will not alter the fact that we are A NATIONAL ORGANISATION and we will continue to be a NATIONAL ORGANISATION.

 

This is an excellent opportunity for SAMM to expand, and with the support from agencies such as the police, probation, V.S and the Office  of Criminal Justice Reform, we can improve our service to SAMM members, expand the training in order that we raise awareness to the effects of homicide, bring SAMM members together by holding seminars in different parts of the country.  Weekend retreats will be offered several times a year. Specific training and guidance will be given to SAMM volunteers who wish to become involved with starting a local group or a telephone  contact. We will update our computer system, which will give the office staff the ability to communicate with members more efficiently. The new SAMM National website will continue to give regular updates and information.

The SAMM organisation was set up for you, by two grieving mum's. It has come a long way since those early day's, and the people who paved the way, many of whom are still involved with victim care one way or another, should be proud of themselves. But for these people who knows where we may all be today, where else would we get the same level of understanding and support outside of SAMM.

 

Rest assured that the trustees and staff will continue to work on your behalf, and that the future of SAMM National, is without a doubt looking very strong indeed. We have some great partnerships and people who recognise the need for this organisation, people who are committed to SAMM and together we can take it forward.

 Kind regards,   Marie                 

 

 

We have a network of local SAMM groups/contacts around the country.  These are people who have been bereaved through murder or manslaughter so have a good idea how you may be feeling.  There is no need to explain.  They have been where you are now and they have survived! In some areas the local contact is via telephone support.  We can also arrange one to one visits if you would find this more acceptable.Sometimes when some one has had support from SAMM, they eventually get to a point where they feel that they want to give something back and help other bereaved families.  When this happens we invite them to a volunteer training/information day.  These training/information days are informal and friendly.  We explain about the structure of SAMM and how groups/contacts operate.  If at the end of the day the volunteer feels the support role is not for them then they can say so and maybe do something else for SAMM such as fundraising etc.

 

If the volunteer is keen to support people and they are suitable, then the Training & Development Officer will organise a meeting where the Police, Probation Service, Crown Prosecution Service, Victim Support, Witness Service, Cruse and many other agencies are invited to attend  and learn more about SAMM and how we operate.  The volunteer is then helped to find a venue to hold local SAMM meetings, usually once a month.  Ongoing support is provided to the volunteer via the Training & Development Officer, trustees and the office co-ordinator.

 

 

For many people life will never be the same as it was before they lost their loved one.  SAMM however can help to support you and help you through the bad times.  This support may be needed for only a few months or for many years.  As long as you need or want us we will be there. Extra support may be needed during the trial, after the verdict has been given, after sentence has been passed, later when there is an appeal or many years later when there is the possibility of a parole board hearing leading to the eventual release of the offender

 

 

 

If you yourself have not been bereaved through homicide, but you are supporting someone who has then please do contact us for help and advice.  You may like to become an associate member

 

 

 

We can provide ongoing support for those of you who are also witnesses in the trial.  We can refer people to the Witness Service for support in the court room.

 

 

 

For many people who live outside of London, having to find their way around such a big city can be really difficult.  We have a small team of volunteers who will meet these people and help them to travel across London to the Court of Appeal

  

 

• To promote for the benefit of the public any charitable purpose directed to assisting those who have lost through death resulting from murder, manslaughter or unlawful killing of their relative or friend and in particular to promote and protect good health, both mental and physical, relieve poverty and sickness and to advance education in matters of the nature of grieving and bereavement.

• To promote good health, both mental and physical, for those bereaved through homicide that they may eventually become strong enough to live positively in the future

• To promote and support research into the effects on society of homicide, in order that a caring approach is adopted while emphasising the families' needs for control, information and privacy

---