Become a Supporter
Believe in the power of forgiveness? Your regular support helps The Forgiveness Project share powerful stories, foster understanding and build more compassionate, resilient communities.
Become a regular supporter today and help us continue this vital work.
Friend
Help make forgiveness accessible.
£5-£50/month
As a Friend, you help make the power of forgiveness accessible to people around the world.
Your support keeps our free online resources available to everyone, including our library of real-life stories, The F Word Podcast, educational resources and practical toolboxes.
Together, we can inspire understanding, empathy and new perspectives on forgiveness.
Guardian
Help create spaces for deeper understanding.
£200-£500/quarter
As a Guardian, you help create brave spaces where people can listen deeply, challenge assumptions and explore new ways of understanding one another.
Your support makes professionally facilitated gatherings possible, bringing our global community together to explore complex questions of forgiveness, justice and restoration.
Through storytelling, creative approaches and the circle process, you help nurture the empathy and understanding needed to build more compassionate, resilient communities.
Ambassador
Help sustain a more compassionate world.
£5000+/year
For 20 years, The Forgiveness Project has explored how forgiveness can transform the way we understand one another, respond to harm and imagine a different future. In today’s divided world, this work matters more than ever.
As an Ambassador, your extraordinary commitment helps sustain and strengthen our work, bringing our stories and approach to new audiences and deepening our impact around the world.
You become a vital partner in our vision: building more compassionate, resilient communities through the power of storytelling, empathy and forgiveness.
We’re keen to connect with people who share our vision. Please get in touch with our Director, Sandra Barefoot, to discuss becoming an Ambassador.
Become a Supporter
Believe in the power of forgiveness? Your regular support helps The Forgiveness Project share powerful stories, foster understanding and build more compassionate, resilient communities.
Become a regular supporter today and help us continue this vital work.
Friend
Help make forgiveness accessible.
£5-£50/month
As a Friend, you help make the power of forgiveness accessible to people around the world.
Your support keeps our free online resources available to everyone, including our library of real-life stories, The F Word Podcast, educational resources and practical toolboxes.
Together, we can inspire understanding, empathy and new perspectives on forgiveness.
Guardian
Help create spaces for deeper understanding.
£200-£500/quarter
As a Guardian, you help create brave spaces where people can listen deeply, challenge assumptions and explore new ways of understanding one another.
Your support makes professionally facilitated gatherings possible, bringing our global community together to explore complex questions of forgiveness, justice and restoration.
Through storytelling, creative approaches and the circle process, you help nurture the empathy and understanding needed to build more compassionate, resilient communities.
Ambassador
Help sustain a more compassionate world.
£5000+/year
For 20 years, The Forgiveness Project has explored how forgiveness can transform the way we understand one another, respond to harm and imagine a different future. In today’s divided world, this work matters more than ever.
As an Ambassador, your extraordinary commitment helps sustain and strengthen our work, bringing our stories and approach to new audiences and deepening our impact around the world.
You become a vital partner in our vision: building more compassionate, resilient communities through the power of storytelling, empathy and forgiveness.
We’re keen to connect with people who share our vision. Please get in touch with our Director, Sandra Barefoot, to discuss becoming an Ambassador.
Become a Supporter
Believe in the power of forgiveness? Your regular support helps The Forgiveness Project share powerful stories, foster understanding and build more compassionate, resilient communities.
Become a regular supporter today and help us continue this vital work.
Friend
Help make forgiveness accessible.
£5-£50/month
As a Friend, you help make the power of forgiveness accessible to people around the world.
Your support keeps our free online resources available to everyone, including our library of real-life stories, The F Word Podcast, educational resources and practical toolboxes.
Together, we can inspire understanding, empathy and new perspectives on forgiveness.
Guardian
Help create spaces for deeper understanding.
£200-£500/quarter
As a Guardian, you help create brave spaces where people can listen deeply, challenge assumptions and explore new ways of understanding one another.
Your support makes professionally facilitated gatherings possible, bringing our global community together to explore complex questions of forgiveness, justice and restoration.
Through storytelling, creative approaches and the circle process, you help nurture the empathy and understanding needed to build more compassionate, resilient communities.
Ambassador
Help sustain a more compassionate world.
£5000+/year
For 20 years, The Forgiveness Project has explored how forgiveness can transform the way we understand one another, respond to harm and imagine a different future. In today’s divided world, this work matters more than ever.
As an Ambassador, your extraordinary commitment helps sustain and strengthen our work, bringing our stories and approach to new audiences and deepening our impact around the world.
You become a vital partner in our vision: building more compassionate, resilient communities through the power of storytelling, empathy and forgiveness.
We’re keen to connect with people who share our vision. Please get in touch with our Director, Sandra Barefoot, to discuss becoming an Ambassador.
Stories have the power to transform
The Forgiveness Project provides opportunities and resources for people to explore the complexities of forgiveness.
Rooted in the belief that stories have the power to transform how we see ourselves and relate to others, we share restorative narratives*.
Through storytelling and creative methodologies, we collaborate with individuals who have experienced trauma and loss.
Our work is a process of exploration and inquiry, creating spaces where meaningful conversations can emerge and grow.
Stories have the power to transform
The Forgiveness Project provides opportunities and resources for people to explore the complexities of forgiveness.
Rooted in the belief that stories have the power to transform how we see ourselves and relate to others, we share restorative narratives*.
Through storytelling and creative methodologies, we collaborate with individuals who have experienced trauma and loss.
Our work is a process of exploration and inquiry, creating spaces where meaningful conversations can emerge and grow.
*Restorative narratives are real-life stories that show how people and communities are learning to rebuild and recover after experiencing difficult times.
Stories have the power to transform
The Forgiveness Project provides opportunities and resources for people to explore the benefits and complexities of forgiveness.
Rooted in the belief that stories have the power to transform how we see ourselves and relate to others, we share restorative narratives*.
Through storytelling and creative methodologies, we collaborate with individuals who have experienced trauma and loss.
Our work is a process of exploration and inquiry, creating spaces where meaningful conversations can emerge and grow.
*Restorative narratives are real-life stories that show how people and communities are learning to rebuild and recover after experiencing difficult times.
*Restorative narratives are real-life stories that show how people and communities are learning to rebuild and recover after experiencing difficult times.
Words from our community
“Such a thought-provoking and inspirational session. Beautiful connections and sharing. Leaving with so many nuggets of wisdom, ideas and energy.”
“It felt like a safe space held with much awareness and it almost felt therapeutic to listen to shared experiences and views on forgiveness that resonated with me so much.”
“There is a connection in sharing such stories that creates a bond and deep empathy for those going through such heart-wrenching struggles.”
“Thank you so much for the meeting today. […] I really have had a seismic shift in perspective which is allowing me to approach my pain in a totally new way.”
Stories
Stories
Our real-life stories of forgiveness come from 30+ countries and explore a wide range of themes including self-forgiveness, restorative justice, and political forgiveness.
“There are many, many stories (and fine photographs) on The Forgiveness Project website and dipping into them on a grey, cold, rainy day was like walking into a room where all the lights blazed and a fire welcomed. I felt immeasurably better. Proud to be human.” – Bel Mooney
Exhibition
Exhibition
The exhibition launched to wide media acclaim at the Oxo Tower Gallery, London, in January 2004. During the two week exhibition six thousand people visited it. Support has been given by internationally-renowned human rights activists, peace makers, religious figures and opinion formers.
The F Word exhibition has been displayed in more than 500 venues across 13 countries to an audience of over 60,000 people since being launched in London, UK. The exhibition was described by the charity’s founding patron, Anita Roddick (Founder, The Body Shop), as “truly an education of the human spirit”.
“I have seen the exhibition twice myself now and for me it is the most moving and helpful experience of my life – it helped me cope with my own experience when all other methods had not succeeded.” — Visitor to The F Word exhibition, UK
Books
Books
The Forgiveness Project: Stories for a Vengeful Age
Written by Marina Cantacuzino. Forewords by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Alexander McCall Smith.
Examining themes of forgiveness, reconciliation and conflict transformation, this book brings together the personal testimonies of both survivors and perpetrators of crime and violence and asks the question whether forgiveness may have more currency than revenge in an age, which seems locked into the cycle of conflict.
“There have been few more appropriate and vital moments for this fascinating book to emerge than now as we bear witness to so many acts requiring forgiveness – the complexity of the practice of forgiveness, its meanings, its measure as a force for change are all here – and most of all, its power to prevent the repetition of the worst in our human behaviour and the possibility of finding freedom from hatred.” – Emma Thompson, Actress and Screenwriter
Forgiveness Is Really Strange
Written by Masi Noor and Marina Cantacuzino. Art by Sophie Standing.
This graphic novel, based on science and real-life stories, illustrates the complexity of forgiveness and what it can mean to different people and its potential for positive change. It explores the key aspects of forgiveness and the impact it can have on the mind and psyche.
“This little, powerful book challenges readers to think unconventionally and arrive at a rich understanding of the fruits of forgiveness.” – Amazon Review
Forgiveness: An Exploration
Written by Marina Cantacuzino.
Founder of the Forgiveness Project, Marina Cantacuzino, explores what forgiveness is and what it most definitely isn’t, how it can be an important element in breaking the cycle of suffering, and ultimately how it might help transform fractured relationships and mend broken hearts.
“An important and valuable contribution to our understanding of this very difficult subject. A book for our times.” – Amazon Review
Learning Hub
Learning Hub
Resources for young people
The Forgiveness Project believes that resilience, compassion and understanding are key to developing a sense of our shared humanity. Therefore, we have developed two sets of educational resources to support schools and educators in empowering children and young people to explore forgiveness, justice, empathy, and compassion through the sharing of real-life stories.
Philosophy for Children
Philosophy for Children is a series of four resources for use within Philosophy for Children (P4C) enquiries, or as stand alone activities within lessons or tutor time.
Each resource includes a preparation activity, film link to a real life story of forgiveness, a concept mind map and example philosophical questions.
Stories of Forgiveness
A series of nine lessons exploring three topics: Forgiveness and Justice, Why do people forgive? and Forgiving the Unforgivable.
Each lesson includes a lesson plan, PowerPoint presentation with a film link to a real life story of forgiveness and a student booklet.
Resources for adults
Online training – Developing a Shame Informed approach
This training provides a grounding in Shame Resilience Theory and its application in facilitating a Shame Informed approach, including the use of specific creative techniques to support shame to be expressed safely.
Online workshop – Self-forgiveness: Making meaning as a foundation for change
Through guided reflection and creative writing prompts, this online workshop invites you to listen deeply, make meaning from the past, and begin your journey toward self-forgiveness.
Stories
Stories
Our real-life stories of forgiveness come from 30+ countries and explore a wide range of themes including self-forgiveness, restorative justice, and political forgiveness.
“There are many, many stories (and fine photographs) on The Forgiveness Project website and dipping into them on a grey, cold, rainy day was like walking into a room where all the lights blazed and a fire welcomed. I felt immeasurably better. Proud to be human.” – Bel Mooney
Exhibition
Exhibition
The F Word: Stories of Forgiveness exhibition is a thought-provoking collection of arresting images and personal narratives exploring forgiveness in the face of atrocity. Drawing together voices from South Africa, America, Israel, Palestine, Australia, Northern Ireland and England, the exhibition examines forgiveness as a healing process, a path out of victimhood and, ultimately, a journey of hope.
The exhibition launched to wide media acclaim at the Oxo Tower Gallery, London, in January 2004. During the two week exhibition six thousand people visited it. Support has been given by internationally-renowned human rights activists, peace makers, religious figures and opinion formers.
The F Word exhibition has been displayed in more than 500 venues across 13 countries to an audience of over 60,000 people since being launched in London, UK. The exhibition was described by the charity’s founding patron, Anita Roddick (Founder, The Body Shop), as “truly an education of the human spirit”.
“I have seen the exhibition twice myself now and for me it is the most moving and helpful experience of my life – it helped me cope with my own experience when all other methods had not succeeded.” — Visitor to The F Word exhibition, UK
Books
Books
The Forgiveness Project: Stories for a Vengeful Age
Written by Marina Cantacuzino. Forewords by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Alexander McCall Smith.
Examining themes of forgiveness, reconciliation and conflict transformation, this book brings together the personal testimonies of both survivors and perpetrators of crime and violence and asks the question whether forgiveness may have more currency than revenge in an age, which seems locked into the cycle of conflict.
“There have been few more appropriate and vital moments for this fascinating book to emerge than now as we bear witness to so many acts requiring forgiveness – the complexity of the practice of forgiveness, its meanings, its measure as a force for change are all here – and most of all, its power to prevent the repetition of the worst in our human behaviour and the possibility of finding freedom from hatred.” – Emma Thompson, Actress and Screenwriter
Forgiveness Is Really Strange
Written by Masi Noor and Marina Cantacuzino. Art by Sophie Standing.
This graphic novel, based on science and real-life stories, illustrates the complexity of forgiveness and what it can mean to different people and its potential for positive change. It explores the key aspects of forgiveness and the impact it can have on the mind and psyche.
“This little, powerful book challenges readers to think unconventionally and arrive at a rich understanding of the fruits of forgiveness.” – Amazon Review
Forgiveness: An Exploration
Written by Marina Cantacuzino.
Founder of the Forgiveness Project, Marina Cantacuzino, explores what forgiveness is and what it most definitely isn’t, how it can be an important element in breaking the cycle of suffering, and ultimately how it might help transform fractured relationships and mend broken hearts.
“An important and valuable contribution to our understanding of this very difficult subject. A book for our times.” – Amazon Review
Learning Hub
Learning Hub
Resources for young people
The Forgiveness Project believes that resilience, compassion and understanding are key to developing a sense of our shared humanity. Therefore, we have developed two sets of educational resources to support schools and educators in empowering children and young people to explore forgiveness, justice, empathy, and compassion through the sharing of real-life stories.
Philosophy for Children
Philosophy for Children is a series of four resources for use within Philosophy for Children (P4C) enquiries, or as stand alone activities within lessons or tutor time.
Each resource includes a preparation activity, film link to a real life story of forgiveness, a concept mind map and example philosophical questions.
Stories of Forgiveness
A series of nine lessons exploring three topics: Forgiveness and Justice, Why do people forgive? and Forgiving the Unforgivable.
Each lesson includes a lesson plan, PowerPoint presentation with a film link to a real life story of forgiveness and a student booklet.
Resources for adults
Developing a Shame Informed approach
This training provides a grounding in Shame Resilience Theory and its application in facilitating a Shame Informed approach, including the use of specific creative techniques to support shame to be expressed safely.
Self-forgiveness: Making meaning as a foundation for change
Through guided reflection and creative writing prompts, this online workshop invites you to listen deeply, make meaning from the past, and begin your journey toward self-forgiveness.
Prison Programme
Prison Programme
We have 16 years of experience in delivering RESTORE within the Criminal Justice System, reaching 3,300 participants inclusive of 185 prison officers.
“For most prisoners, time inside is simply an experience to be endured. So there is something extraordinary about a course, which sets out to ask prisoners to examine the most profound and difficult issues imaginable. In my view, RESTORE can start a process of personal reflection without which rehabilitation and restoration are impossible.” – Peter Dawson, Governor, HMP High Down (2007 – 2013)
Podcast
Podcast
Some have forgiven those who’ve harmed them, others are grappling with forgiving themselves. Not everyone has made complete peace with their past and for some forgiveness is neither desired nor appropriate.
But all those featured on the show display a strength that has grown out of vulnerability and they all bear witness to the human search for meaning.
“This is an outstanding podcast series. Profoundly human, courageous, and hopeful. Each story is compelling and unique. But the story tellers share a kind of grace and dignity, each explaining how coming to forgiveness, including of oneself, heals deep wounds. Moving, inspiring and full of lessons for us all.” – Apple Podcast Review
Events
Events
The Forgiveness Project provides opportunities and resources for people to explore the complexities of forgiveness. Through storytelling and creative methodologies, we collaborate with individuals who have experienced harm and loss. Our work is a process of exploration and inquiry, creating spaces where meaningful conversations can emerge and grow.
These include our annual lecture and panel discussions on forgiveness, as well as virtual events featuring our storytellers, experts and thought leaders.
Keynote speakers from past annual lectures include Desmond Tutu, Anglican Archbishop and Theologian, Karen Armstrong, Author and Commentator, Simon Baron-Cohen, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the University of Cambridge, Richard Holloway FRSE, Writer, Broadcaster and Cleric, Dr Gwen Adshead, Forensic Psychotherapist, and Lemn Sissay OBE FRSL, Author and Broadcaster.
“Thank you each and everyone. I feel soothed and also strong after our discussion!” – Carrie Supple, Forgiveness Café Participant
Toolboxes
Toolboxes
The Forgiveness Toolbox
The Forgiveness Toolbox is a skills-based toolbox that enables individuals and groups to transform the impact of harm and violence and nurture peaceful co-existence.
This toolbox is a collaboration between Dr Masi Noor, Social Psychologist at Keele University, England, and Marina Cantacuzino, Founder and Co-Lead of The Forgiveness Project.
The toolbox presents 7 skills including:
- Building bridges born out of suffering: the skill of relating to another person’s pain
- Resisting conformity: the skill of finding your own path
- Recovering from resentment: the skill of letting go of anger and bitterness
Community Tool Box: Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Can forgiveness be granted to those who have committed terrorist acts? Can one forgive in the absence of apology or remorse? Can there be reconciliation following mass murder? These are some of the questions the Forgiveness and Reconciliation section of the Community Tool Box addresses.
This resource has grown out of the work of The Forgiveness Project and has been developed with support from the Charter for Compassion and in collaboration with The University of Kansas.
Prison Programme
Prison Programme
We have 16 years of experience in delivering RESTORE within the Criminal Justice System, reaching 3,300 participants inclusive of 185 prison officers.
“For most prisoners, time inside is simply an experience to be endured. So there is something extraordinary about a course, which sets out to ask prisoners to examine the most profound and difficult issues imaginable. In my view, RESTORE can start a process of personal reflection without which rehabilitation and restoration are impossible.” – Peter Dawson, Governor, HMP High Down (2007 – 2013)
Podcast
Podcast
Some have forgiven those who’ve harmed them, others are grappling with forgiving themselves. Not everyone has made complete peace with their past and for some forgiveness is neither desired nor appropriate.
But all those featured on the show display a strength that has grown out of vulnerability and they all bear witness to the human search for meaning.
“This is an outstanding podcast series. Profoundly human, courageous, and hopeful. Each story is compelling and unique. But the story tellers share a kind of grace and dignity, each explaining how coming to forgiveness, including of oneself, heals deep wounds. Moving, inspiring and full of lessons for us all.” – Apple Podcast Review
Events
Events
These include our annual lecture and panel discussions on forgiveness, as well as virtual events featuring our storytellers, experts and thought leaders.
Keynote speakers from past annual lectures include Desmond Tutu, Anglican Archbishop and Theologian, Karen Armstrong, Author and Commentator, Simon Baron-Cohen, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the University of Cambridge, Richard Holloway FRSE, Writer, Broadcaster and Cleric, Dr Gwen Adshead, Forensic Psychotherapist, and Lemn Sissay OBE FRSL, Author and Broadcaster.
“Thank you each and everyone. I feel soothed and also strong after our discussion!” – Carrie Supple, Forgiveness Café Participant
Toolboxes
Toolboxes
The Forgiveness Toolbox
The Forgiveness Toolbox is a skills-based toolbox that enables individuals and groups to transform the impact of harm and violence and nurture peaceful co-existence.
This toolbox is a collaboration between Dr Masi Noor, Social Psychologist at Keele University, England, and Marina Cantacuzino, Founder and Co-Lead of The Forgiveness Project.
The toolbox presents 7 skills including:
- Building bridges born out of suffering: the skill of relating to another person’s pain
- Resisting conformity: the skill of finding your own path
- Recovering from resentment: the skill of letting go of anger and bitterness
Community Tool Box: Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Can forgiveness be granted to those who have committed terrorist acts? Can one forgive in the absence of apology or remorse? Can there be reconciliation following mass murder? These are some of the questions the Forgiveness and Reconciliation section of the Community Tool Box addresses.
This resource has grown out of the work of The Forgiveness Project and has been developed with support from the Charter for Compassion and in collaboration with The University of Kansas.