- More than 200 post-crash care professionals attended this year’s conference, held in Manchester
- The event was hosted by Ruth Purdie OBE, CEO of UKROEd
- Brake CEO Ross Moorlock reveals the charity will provide specialist support to more than 2,000 road victim families this year
- Keynote speakers were George Henry, Transport Scotland, Joy Allen, Durham PCC, CC Jo Shiner, Sussex Police, and Katy Bourne, Sussex PCC
Brake’s popular one-day conference was once again a sell-out, with more than 200 tickets provided free of charge to police and other post-crash care professionals from across the country, thanks to the event’s sponsors, Brake’s legal panel for England and Wales: Alderstone Solicitors, Hodge Jones & Allen, Horwich Cohen Coghlan (HCC) Solicitors, Hugh James, Irwin Mitchell, JMW Solicitors and Slater and Gordon Lawyers UK.
Delegates heard from a range of expert speakers and panellists to learn more about the specific needs of road victims and what excellence in post-crash care looks like, through a thought-provoking and informative programme, hosted by Ruth Purdie OBE, CEO of UKROEd.
Host Ruth Purdie OBE, UKROEd, addresses the audience
Brake CEO Ross Moorlock began the day by addressing the audience with a call to action. He highlighted the importance of specialist support for road victims, and working together in partnership to achieve this for families. He acknowledged the shared expertise brought together in one room and challenged attendees to keep learning, share best practice, challenge themselves and support each other, adding: "This is how change happens.”
Moorlock also spoke about Brake’s new National Centre of Excellence for Post-Crash Support, which provides training, resources and a responsive crisis consultancy service for all professionals who support road victims, from front-line emergency responders and family liaison officers (FLOs), to educators and employers. He revealed that there are more than 900 bereaved or injured road victim families receiving specialist support from Brake’s National Road Victim Service today, with more than 2,000 families expected to get practical and emotional support from the service this year.
Keynote speakers Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham, and George Henry, Head of Road Policy and Safety at Transport Scotland (pictured above with Ross Moorlock and Ruth Purdie OBE), spoke about the real families behind the statistics and the need for action. Allen gave a stirring presentation about turning pain into purpose, learning from the lived experience of road victims to shape how families are supported in future. She spoke about ongoing campaign work to end road death and injury and the vital importance of post-crash care. George Henry shared the framework to 2030 for road safety in Scotland, outlining ambitious targets to reduce road death and support road victims in line with the Safe System approach to road safety. Henry acknowledged the challenges of the pandemic and budget cuts that have affected many of the forces within the audience.
Road safety is not just policy; it’s a matter of life and death. The impact of a crash is not immediate, it’s generational.
Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham
This was followed by a very emotional and inspiring panel session, as Brake caseworker Sarah Harrison sat down with Violet Atkinson, whose son Steven was killed by a speeding driver when he was just 12 years old. Violet spoke openly about the circumstances of the crash and shared her views on how she felt afterwards and the support she received from Brake and her local police service. Harrison acknowledged the importance of having difficult conversations, and the opportunity to learn from those who have been bereaved about what they need and want after the death of their loved one.
Bereaved road victim Violet Atkinson spoke to Brake caseworker Sarah Harrison about her experience following the death of her son Steven
Detective Inspector Fraser Spence, Police Scotland, shared a valuable insight into the incredible complexity and demands of a very unusual case involving the tragic death of a cyclist in rural Scotland. DI Spence highlighted the many roles involved in the police investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the death.
At the conference, guests also heard from panel sessions including Specialist support for road victims featuring Ruth Purdie OBE, George Henry, Joy Allen, Ross Moorlock and Reverend Matthew Hopley, National Police Chaplain.
The afternoon keynote speakers were Chief Constable Jo Shiner, Sussex Police, NPCC lead for Roads Policing and Katy Bourne, Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex who spoke together via video presentation. Shiner acknowledged the recent provisional data from the Department for Transport that shows another 1600 people lost their lives on our roads last year. She called it “unacceptable” and “a national tragedy”.
Both speakers heralded the road victim care that Brake provides, with Shiner kindly commenting: “I cannot tell you how much I support the work of Brake, it really is incredible. Without that care, without that listening, without that support, those families would be in a far worse place.”
Stacey Ellott, Sergeant at Sussex Police then spoke with Brake’s Independent Road Victim Advocate for Sussex, Paddy Kelly about the work they are doing together in this region to provide specialist support for road victims, giving practical examples of the positive impact this partnership has on local families.
Delegates also heard from psychotherapist Hannah Bailey, founder of Blue Light Wellbeing. Bailey explained how the brain changes after trauma, particularly for processing and retaining information, key for any families facing complex legal processes after a crash.
Road deaths are sudden, violent and traumatic. The ripple effects are enormous. We are here today for those left behind. When care is done well – when it’s specialist, timely, human, and trauma-informed – it doesn’t just support. It saves.
Ross Moorlock, CEO, Brake
A second afternoon panel covered cultural differences in investigative needs and featured Sumaiyah Moolla from Transport for London, Natalie Horner KPM, Detective Constable at Durham Constabulary, Christopher Long, HM Senior Coroner in Lancashire and Blackburn, Mussa Meman, Sergeant and Nikki Nabi, Police Constable from Lancashire Constabulary. Together they discussed the importance of supporting ethnic minority communities and cultural sensitivity in death, including examples from coronial investigations in Muslim faith bereavements. Nikki Nabi and Mussa Meman challenged police colleagues to consider what more they can all do to increase the cultural competency of their own teams.
This was followed by Danielle Doyle, Chief Inspector for South Wales Police who spoke about critical conversations and the importance of debriefing. Throughout the day there were many calls for support and training for the officers and professionals on the frontlines of supporting victims and the procedures needed to do so effectively.
The day closed with a thought from Rev. Matthew Hopley, and a summary statement from Ruth Purdie.
Reflecting on the events of the day, Brake CEO Ross Moorlock commented: “Once again, I am in awe of the fantastic speakers and panellists at this year’s conference, who so generously shared their expertise with us all. It is always inspiring to see the difficult conversations flow, inspiring action in the face of stagnant road casualty figures and funding and resource challenges.
The clear message from today has been that the right support, at the right time, can change the course of someone’s life. I’m proud that Brake is working alongside the police, legal teams and other post-crash care professionals to make that a reality. A huge thank you to everyone who attended this year’s After the Crash conference, and to all our speakers, exhibitors and our event sponsors.”
After the Crash 2025 was organised by Brake and sponsored by Alderstone Solicitors, Hodge Jones & Allen, Horwich Cohen Cohen Coghlan (HCC) Solicitors, Hugh James, Irwin Mitchell, JMW Solicitors and Slater and Gordon Lawyers UK.
About Alderstone Solicitors
Alderstone Solicitors is an established and dedicated group of solicitors who specialise in helping people impacted by serious injury, medical negligence, industrial disease, and asbestos-related diseases. We have decades of experience in supporting people from across England and Wales through some of the most difficult periods of their lives. Alderstone Solicitors is authorised and regulate by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 8000785).
About Hodge Jones & Allen
We understand that a serious or fatal injury can be life-changing for the injured party and devastating for bereaved families. It can be difficult to know where to turn for help. Our experienced specialists will ensure early access to top-tier rehabilitation care and personal support throughout the claims process. We ‘fight for what’s right’ and always place our clients at the heart of everything we do.
We feel privileged to be part of our client’s journey and will dedicate our time to helping you to get the justice you deserve and make the most of your life.
About Horwich Cohen Coghlan (HCC) Solicitors
HCC Solicitors is an award-winning law firm that takes a ‘family first’ approach to supporting those who have lost loved ones in a road collision. We work proactively for justice – and the truth for our clients. We understand that every fatality has a devastating impact on family life. Our experienced team ensures that families are fully supported in every way during what we know is a traumatic time. We also represent families at Inquests across the UK. We have longstanding relationships with multiple professionals and agencies, including the police and the HSE, who may be involved in the investigation.
About Hugh James
Hugh James is a top 100 UK law firm, providing expert legal services to a wide range of business and individual clients. Established over 60 years ago, it has grown to become a full-service firm. Headquartered in Cardiff, it has expanded its presence across the UK, including offices in London, Manchester, Southampton, and Plymouth.
Hugh James’ award-winning claimant teams support bereaved families and seriously injured people following road collisions and incidents at work, both in the UK and abroad, helping them recover compensation for what has happened and representing them at inquests and in the civil courts. Their English and Welsh-speaking lawyers also advise victims of violent crime, people who have suffered abuse, or those injured through medical negligence. The firm works closely with emergency services professionals such as police family liaison officers, and with its charity partners, to ensure everyone receives the specialist advice they deserve.
About Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell Solicitors are one of the UK’s most respected and successful law firms, with an independent recognised personal injury team. We help support our clients with their claims after a road traffic collision as well as their families to help them access the best possible medical care, rehabilitation and financial support reaching an outcome that can make a real difference to their lives. Each year our personal injury lawyers also help bereaved families, who rely on us to fight fearlessly to protect their best interests and to try and gain justice for them in the most difficult of situations.
About JMW Solicitors
JMW is an award-winning law firm that prides itself in providing outstanding client care and acting as a steady hand during one of the most challenging times of your life. Whilst we can't turn the clock back and undo the harm that has been caused, our dedicated personal injury team will ensure you and your family have everything you need after a road crash, from the best possible medical care and rehabilitation to specialist housing, care and financial security.
About Slater and Gordon Lawyers UK
At Slater and Gordon, we are dedicated to supporting individuals affected by serious injuries, especially those resulting in life-altering consequences or tragic fatalities from road traffic collisions. The impact of experiencing a serious injury from a road traffic collisions, is often wide-ranging and it is common for people to require extensive support, care and rehabilitation. With many of our solicitors recognised for excellence, our empathetic approach is tailored to meet the needs of our clients, addressing not only their legal matters but also ensuring they have access to essential care and resources for their long-term recovery.
We are more than lawyers, we are your support network in helping you navigate the legal system, ensuring that every stage of your journey from injury to recovery is handled with care and professionalism, empowering you to rebuild your life with dignity and strength.