As an organisation that hope to be one of value and linking all the families who have suffered at the hand of Youth Violence in this country our manifesto for change will be an evolving piece but in essence we have 5 key objectives;

• To provide vital support for ALL the families who have suffered loss through Youth Violence.
• To provide a central online memorial for each of our lost children
• To support the many varied campaigns and projects of each of the associated families
• To provide a central voice for the Press in relation to Youth Violence in this country.

Support for the Victim’s Family & Friends

One of the most important aspects of ‘Families Utd’ will be for us all to help each other; usually the best person to understand the pain is someone who has experienced the same. This would best be done on a local basis around the country, so for small groups who do not live to far apart can meet on regular occasions in a social setting, perhaps each others homes. This will also provide the opportunity to share any other help that individuals may have received.

The completion of any legal process resulting from the crime, whether successful or not, provides a problem for the police and judiciary. As a result of the process relationships are formed, usually unintentionally, as the trauma of the loss naturally means strangers, the police etc, become needed and relied upon and an important part of a lot of the families lives. This needs to end at some stage and it can prove difficult, what is needed is an “exit strategy” – this is where Families Utd could be very effective, especially if relationships could have been begun during the legal process

Speaking with one voice to make change

Though independence between campaigns needs to be maintained, there is plenty of common ground, where collectively Families Utd can make a difference and promote with a united voice. One way to look at it is as a hub in the middle with all the individual families as the spokes.

Keeping the Memory of the Victims Alive

At the heart of all of this are the loved children who have been killed – much loved children who’s families want to remember. With the advent of the web – some families have their own websites and campaigns, but other don’t know where to start. We want to provide an online memorial for all the victims – quickly, efficiently allowing anyone to show their support for the family concerned.

Supporting Existing Campaigns/Sites

It is imperative that any projects or schemes that any family has instigated in memory of their loved one continues to do so. Families Utd will only work if individual families keep fully independent; Families Utd is NOT seeking to take over in any way. We are an allience of independents that have their own views, thoughts and opinion, following the loss of their loved ones.
Families Utd exists solely to help families push their agenda’s forward, as often they are people well placed to get into the detail of the issue and so their voice needs to continue to be heard, and where possible amplified.

The Press

One of the best routes to affect change is to support the media and press to get the message out there – to make it easy for them to seek out and get relevant comment as they need it. Press or media that need a view of any incidents can call directly to the administrator of the blog , who can pass on the request to whom ever it is intended.