What is mediation?
Disputes between neighbours often arise and some can have
a dramatic effect on the quality of peoples’ lives. This often leads to distress and anger which can in turn make it
difficult for the people concerned to resolve the problem(s) themselves.
At worst, disputes
can escalate over and time and may lead to the involvement of the local council, police, solicitors, landlords and even the
courts.
Mediation is a way of helping people to resolve their disagreements with the assistance
of an independent third party - the mediator.
Our aim is to bring people together to talk
over their problems and difficulties and, by focusing on the future rather than dwelling on the past, find a solution that
is acceptable to everyone.
What happens in mediation?
The first point of contact is the Co-ordinator who will listen to the problem and decide if they think mediation
will help. In a typical mediation, arrangements will be made for two trained volunteer mediators to visit all parties in their
homes. During these visits the mediators will explain mediation fully and listen carefully and sensitively
to all of the concerns. They will not judge or give advice but will help the parties pinpoint the important problems and encourage
them to think about ways in which they can be resolved.
It may be that further visits are
required and in some cases the mediators may suggest a joint meeting with all those involved. If everyone is willing, a meeting
will be arranged at a neutral place where the mediators will encourage all the parties to find areas of common ground so that,
hopefully, they can reach some form of agreement which everyone is happy with.
