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Public organisations across Wales have signed a new charter which commits them to responding to public tragedies with openness, transparency and accountability.
The Charter for Families Bereaved by Public Tragedy calls for a cultural shift in public bodies’ engagement with bereaved families, ensuring the lessons of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath are learned to prevent those affected by public tragedy in the future from having a similar experience.
Organisations across Wales, including Welsh Government, local authorities, police forces, the Welsh Ambulance Service and fire and rescue services, have all signed up to support bereaved families and the community in the aftermath of a major incident, with a clear commitment to people and to providing services that meet their needs before, during and after an event.
A launch event was held on 18 March in Merthyr Tydfil to mark the occasion.
The event saw the Bishop James Jones KBE, who wrote the charter as part of his report on lessons from the Hillsborough tragedy, joined by the bereaved and survivors of public tragedies, including Hillsborough, Grenfell Tower, Manchester Arena and Aberfan, which stands only a few miles from the launch venue.
“Today the nation of Wales is leading the way with more than 50 of its public bodies signing the charter. In doing so the culture of the organisations has begun to change and there is a renewed commitment to public service and to respecting the humanity of those we are called to serve.
“The charter represents a promise that after any future tragedy no one will be left to navigate their grief and survival alone. That no one will endure again the ‘patronising disposition of unaccountable power’.
“This is a pivotal moment in the life of the nation as we embrace the principles of the charter and pledge to respect the humanity of all its citizens which should be at the heart of all public service.”
Bishop James Jones KBE.
Gwent Police Chief Constable Mark Hobrough said: “By signing this charter, we promise to provide outstanding, caring services that meet the needs of the public in the initial aftermath of a tragedy and long into the future.
“In Gwent, our communities are at the heart of everything we do and we will embed this charter into our work to ensure we’re able to deliver inclusive, trusted and compassionate support for the public at all times.”
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