Resilience forum to adopt Hillsborough Charter

Members of Surrey Local Resilience Forum signed the Hillsborough Charter for bereaved families

A charter which supports those who suffer unimaginable loss has been backed by a multi-agency group in Surrey.

The county's Local Resilience Forum (LRF) has officially adopted the Hillsborough Charter for bereaved families.

It is believed Surrey is the first LRF to have adopted the charter, a county council spokesperson said.

Chris Moon, Surrey LRF manager, said they want to ensure that "every resident can have confidence that we will do everything in our power to support them, not just during emergencies, but in the painful aftermath”.

He said: "Our adoption of the Hillsborough Charter demonstrates our commitment to supporting bereaved families with care, compassion, and respect."

The Hillsborough Charter was developed in response to the experiences of the families affected by the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 football fans lost their lives due to overcrowding at a stadium in Sheffield.

The charter was adopted by Surrey Fire & Rescue Service in 2023 and also by Surrey County Council in July.

Surrey’s LRF is a multi-agency partnership made up of representatives from local public services, including emergency services, local authorities and the NHS.

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