Welsh public organisations pledge new approach focused on the bereaved and survivors of public tragedies
Organisations across Wales have signed a 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 who are affected by public tragedy in the future from having the same experience.
Organisations across Wales – including Welsh Government, local authorities, police forces, Welsh Ambulance Service, fire and rescue services, and the Mining Remediation Authority – 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 will be held in Merthyr Tydfil today (Tuesday 18 March 2025), attended by Bishop James Jones KBE, who wrote the charter as part of his report on lessons from the Hillsborough tragedy.
He will be 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.
Bishop Jones said:
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Dawn Docx, chair of the Joint Emergency Services Group in Wales, said:
South Wales Police Deputy Chief Constable Mark Travis added:
Julia Draycon, Environment Director at the Mining Remediation Authority, said: