New notebooks for families of road death victims

Police and crime commissioner John Campion with RoadPeace, bereaved families and the notebooks

Families in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire who have lost a loved one on the roads have been part of a new scheme to see notebooks handed out to help with bereavement.

The notebooks, developed by charity RoadPeace and funded by West Mercia's Police and Crime Commissioner, will be given out by West Mercia Police's family liaison officers when a road death occurs.

They hope to allow families to record essential details like incident numbers and contacts to help them navigate what can be a confusing and overwhelming time.

The idea was brought to the charity's West Mercia group by Denice Bennell, from Worcester, whose son Nick died after being knocked off his motorcycle in 2021.

Mrs Bennell, along with other families from the region, including Dave and Sue Evans whose son Simon died in a crash in Shifnal alongside two friends in March, provided quotes that appear in the notebooks.

"Family members have so much information they have to take in following being given devastating news, it can be totally overwhelming. Having a place they can write down questions, thoughts and feelings is essential," said Lucy Harrison, RoadPeace's West Mercia coordinator.

"We are so grateful to Denice and all of the group members who provided quotes for inclusion in the notebooks - they have been through the worst, and just want to help others."

'Small but meaningful step'

The area's police and crime commissioner, John Campion, previously supported the charity's special dignity boxes, launched in March.

The boxes are a compassionate way of giving personal belongings back to a family following a fatal crash.

"I cannot imagine the pain that a family must go through when they are told a loved one is not coming home again," he said.

"That's why I am immensely proud to work so closely with RoadPeace to ensure policing is doing all it can to provide the best level of support and guidance to those going through the darkest time in their life.

"The notebooks, as well as the addition of special dignity boxes, are small but meaningful steps to provide clarity, compassion and support when it's needed most."