You Are Not Alone

SAMM provides a wide range of peer support services to people bereaved by murder and manslaughter. There is no time limit on becoming a member. Our services are open to everyone regardless of how long ago they were bereaved

We support close relatives as well as wider family members. Even if a loss has affected a bereaved friend, we will support them. As a national charity our support services cover England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We are independent and therefore not affiliated to any other charity where the SAMM name has been used. 

Our unique support services have been designed by the bereaved for the bereaved to meet a persons’ emotional support needs. All volunteers receive bespoke training and have been bereaved through homicide themselves. They have a unique understanding of what it’s like to be traumatically bereaved.

we are here to support you

Membership

Become a SAMM member and receive our quarterly newsletter, along with details of SAMM’s events, and more. It’s free to join and you will have access to our peer support services along with details of future events and activities.

Continue reading “Membership” →

Research

In 2011 the Right Honorable Louise Casey, Baroness Casey of Blackstock DBE CB worked in partnership with SAMM to ask our members about their needs after the experience of having a loved one die through homicide. Four hundred and seventeen members responded, and their questionnaire formed the findings of a review undertaken by Louise regarding the ‘Needs of those Bereaved by Homicide”.

Read the full report here.

We were recently awarded National Lottery funding and with the support of Dame Casey we were able to repeat the survey from the original review. We approached Birmingham City University and Nottingham University to and asked them to report on the findings.

Dr Laura Hammon, Reader of Investigative Psychology and Dr Lauren Bradford, Assistant Professor of Criminology at the University of Nottingham co-produced the report.

The updated review was launched in the House of Commons on Wednesday 28th June 2023. The full updated report can be viewed by clicking the link below.

Life Sentence: The experiences and support needs of those bereaved by murder and manslaughter.

Training

We provide training for bereaved volunteers to become peer supporters. We also offer a separate package for professionals whose work brings them into contact with traumatically bereaved people. 

Continue reading “Training” →

Victims Code of Practice 2020

Show your support for SAMM

SAMM as a charity could not survive without your kind and generous donations.

Thank you! We appreciate your support!

 

Donate Now

£10

Helps provide art therapy materials for children and adults.

£20

Helps provide an individual support session for a bereaved person.

£30

Helps provide a place at our invaluable Empowerment Weekend.

Gift Aid

If you are a UK taxpayer your donation could be worth up to £12.50 at no extra cost to you.

This Is Our Hope For You

That the turmoil within you is still and you find calm,
That the anxiety within you is quietened and that you find peace,
That the anguish within you be healed and you find joy,
That the gentle listening and understanding of those around you may comfort you in your hour of need,
And that the pain deep within your broken heart may ease,
That your trust in life one day be restored,
That you find strength to help you through your darkest days,
And that your hope for the future is returned, to remember that you are not alone,
Those you have loved and lost walk beside you every foot of the way.

Covid-19 update

We continue to monitor public health advice and government guidelines in relation to our services. We are aware that the bereaved may need support more than ever during this difficult time.

We continue to provide support in ways that provide the least amount of risk to our members. This means our support will remain online and remote for now. As soon as we are able to resume our normal services we will update you here.