Support After Murder And Manslaughter
Charity 1000598
Overview
Summary
Support After Murder And Manslaughter appears to occupy a distinctive national role as a survivor-informed support organisation for people bereaved through homicide. Its model combines peer support, volunteer development, professional training and research-informed advocacy. Rather than limiting support to immediate relatives or recent bereavements, it appears designed around the long duration and wider social effects of traumatic loss. Its research activity may also allow lived experience to influence how wider systems understand and respond to homicide bereavement.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Edgbaston
Confidence: high
SAMM identifies Tally Ho, Pershore Road, Edgbaston as its current office base, and Birmingham City Council records place Tally Ho, B5 7RN in Edgbaston ward.
- SAMM, Privacy Policy (updated December 2024) ([samm.org.uk](https://samm.org.uk/privacy-policy-2/?utm_source=openai))
Lists the 'SAMM Office' at L&DC, Tally Ho, Pershore Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. - SAMM, Life Sentence: The Experiences and Support Needs of Those Bereaved by Murder and Manslaughter ([samm.org.uk](https://samm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Life-Sentence-The-Experiences-and-Support-Needs-of-Those-Bereaved__-by-Murder-and-Manslaughter.pdf?utm_source=openai))
States that SAMM moved to the West Midlands Police Training Centre at Tally Ho, Edgbaston, 'where we remain to date'. - Birmingham City Council, Gambling Act 2005 Public Register Permits ([birmingham.gov.uk](https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/3828/public_register_-_gambling_act_2005_permits.pdf?utm_source=openai))
Records Tally Ho Sports & Conference Centre, Pershore Road, B5 7RN, under ward 'EDGBASTON'.
Remaining uncertainties
- The available evidence establishes an office base at Tally Ho in Edgbaston, but does not show that routine in-person peer-support sessions, training or events are currently delivered there.
- SAMM's website describes support across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while the Charity Commission record lists England and Wales and Northern Ireland. This does not affect the conclusion that its operational footprint is national, but leaves the present extent of activity in Scotland unclear.
- No current evidence identifies additional Birmingham service locations, neighbourhood-based delivery areas, or Birmingham partnerships that materially extend direct service delivery.
Additional evidence needed
- A current annual report, service-delivery report or events programme identifying where in-person support, training and empowerment events are delivered.
- Confirmation from SAMM of whether Tally Ho is used only as an administrative office or also as a regular venue for member-facing services.
- Current information on any formal Birmingham delivery partnerships, referral arrangements or commissioned activity.
Areas of work
- Education/training
- General Charitable Purposes
- The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
- Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
- Other Defined Groups
- People Of A Particular Ethnic Or Racial Origin
- People With Disabilities
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Acts As An Umbrella Or Resource Body
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Services
- Sponsors Or Undertakes Research
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Peer experience appears to be the organisation's central capability
SAMM appears to treat lived experience of homicide bereavement not only as a basis for mutual support, but as a trained capability underpinning its service model.
Why it matters
This suggests SAMM's distinctive role may lie in offering forms of understanding and trust that professional services alone may struggle to provide, while creating a route for bereaved people to support others.
Show evidence
“Its support services were designed by bereaved people for bereaved people.”
Source:Organisation“All volunteers receive bespoke training and have been bereaved through homicide themselves.”
Source:Organisation“It provides training for bereaved volunteers to become peer supporters.”
Source:Organisation
Its definition of who is affected is unusually broad and long-term
SAMM appears to recognise homicide bereavement as affecting wider networks and potentially remaining significant long after the death, rather than as a time-limited crisis affecting only next of kin.
Why it matters
This helps explain why a national membership and peer-support model may be needed alongside conventional victim-support pathways, and raises questions about whether other local services accommodate wider family and friends.
Show evidence
“There is no time limit on becoming a member.”
Source:Organisation“It supports close relatives, wider family members and bereaved friends.”
Source:Organisation“Its services cover England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
Source:Organisation
Research may be used as a bridge between bereaved people and institutions
SAMM appears to extend beyond direct support by collecting and commissioning evidence on bereaved people's needs, potentially positioning it as an advocate for changes in professional and policy responses.
Why it matters
This indicates that its influence may include shaping how homicide bereavement is understood outside the charity, not only supporting individual members.
Show evidence
“In 2011, 417 members responded to a questionnaire on the needs of people bereaved by homicide.”
Source:Organisation“National Lottery funding supported a repeat survey and a report produced with Birmingham City University and the University of Nottingham.”
Source:Organisation“The updated review was launched in the House of Commons on 28 June 2023.”
Source:Organisation
- The scale, frequency and geographic distribution of support activities are not provided.
- There is no evidence about referral routes, partnerships or how SAMM relates to statutory victim-support services.
- The evidence does not show whether research findings have changed policy, practice or member outcomes.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports or impact data showing member numbers, service use, outcomes and volunteer capacity.
- Evidence of referral relationships, local delivery partners and the practical use of its research in policy or professional practice.