“On 11 October 2015, my beloved son Josh was killed in an unprovoked knife attack. He was just 21.
The shock and trauma that followed was profound. Our world was changed in a split-second and
every day my family lives with the pain of his sudden, futile death.
“The Josh Hanson Trust was initially founded to raise awareness of the profound impact of serious
violent crime and of the vital need for meaningful, professional victim care. It was also to bring my
son’s killer to justice, which we successfully achieved in 2019.
“Since then, through our expertise by experience, the trust has evolved…and so have I. Today our
work comes from a place of love, hope and compassion. We are totally committed to creating the
change needed to bring an end to tragic stories like Josh’s.
“The Josh Hanson Trust provides a range of inclusive therapeutic and support services to both
reduce violent crime and to support victims of violent crime.
By sharing experiences, building expertise and by working together, we are striving to build a kinder,
more compassionate society.”
Tracey Hanson
CEO, Josh Hanson Trust
Today on what would have been Josh’s 30th birthday, I find myself reflecting on the bittersweet tapestry of our lives. I reflect on the profound impact his life—and more importantly…
My beautiful son Josh was killed 8 years ago today in the early hours of the morning. As I write this post I am feeling every emotion that I felt…
Happy 29th Birthday Josh I would have been celebrating Josh’s 29th birthday with him today if his life had not been taken from him in an unprovoked, brutal, and violent…
In 2023/24, TJHT (The Josh Hanson Trust) educates children and young people about the risks and impact of violent crime through crime prevention and victim talks. These sessions provide primary and secondary-aged pupils with the tools they need to improve their personal safety, build resilience and to help them start addressing trauma. TJHT engages with children and young people at schools, colleges and pupil referral units.
TJHT supports bereaved families and victims, as they navigate the criminal justice system. Our Experts by Experience advocate on behalf of bereaved families and victims before, during and after a trial, providing one-to-one practical and emotional support. We also provide telephone and online support to victims of crime, who are referred to us via the police, youth offending teams and social media.
TJHT organises creative projects, such as art workshops, for bereaved people and victims of violent crime. Many attendees face mental health challenges, such as post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, isolation, trauma, and complicated grief. Through these shared creative experiences, attendees help build resilience, nurture compassion and self-worth.
In 2023/24, 95% of attendees said that they were better able to express their feelings, as a result of attending a course of Fine Line workshops.
Every year, TJHT delivers victim care training to statutory bodies, including the Metropolitan Police, local authorities etc. This vital training addresses how professionals can better support victims, so that they feel listened to, supported and safe during the criminal process.
TJHT campaigns for the victims of violent crime on a number of strategic government and community groups at a national, regional and local level. The charity lobbies the government and appears in the media in support of victims’ rights. Also, a research partnership with the Open University and Lancaster University supports our campaign for Josh’s Law, which would give victims the right to appeal lenient sentencing for perpetrators of violent crime.
TJHT is committed to building stronger, supportive communities to address social isolation, low self esteem and lack of opportunities. Our Change Makers Programme provides young people with the skills and confidence to amplify their voices. The aim is to develop a network of people of all ages and backgrounds, who can use their lived experience to create a fairer, safer and more compassionate society.
Every year, we organise a range of sport and team-building, fundraising events to give young people an opportunity to learn new skills, to develop their self-worth and confidence and to connect with others. To date, these have included tandem skydives, Tough Mudder challenges, an annual football tournament for the Josh Hanson Cup and a Cycle for Josh event.
