Community Mediation Working Group – An Action-packed Meeting

When the Community Mediation Working Group met on 30 May, its ability to provide a platform for the sector was clear when topics as diverse as organisational resilience, fundraising, social prescribing and standards, as well as a project to raise public awareness of community mediation services, were discussed and shared.

Alice Matthews, Chief Executive at Mediation Plus spoke of changes to the community mediation landscape in Sussex, sharing lessons learned from the changes which see Mediation Plus supporting more residents in the County.  Her presentation produced a discussion about the importance of succession planning in operational teams as well as youth engagement on Trustee Boards.

The importance of fund raising to generate unrestricted funds and the value of bringing together staff, volunteers, trustees and other stakeholders to unite for such an initiative was clearly described by Ed Procter, Chief Exec at CALM mediation.  Ed explained how CALM had organised and marketed a ‘connected communities’ walk along the Thames to raise money to support CALMs activities in the months ahead as well as fostering social connection for those who support the organisation.

Those who follow the activities of this group will know, the ambition for community mediation to better support the primary care system that provides care for individuals who are experiencing health issues arising from conflict. Tracey Adamson and Freddie de Luca from Concord Conflict Solutions inspired the group with their enterprise in meeting with local social prescribers to showcase the benefits of referring patients to conflict resolution services.

Having a manageable but meaningful standard for community mediation that demonstrates the quality service provision that exists in the sector was a priority set by the group back in March 2023.  Following an extensive consultation, a standard has been created that reflects the unique nature of a sector that is predominantly powered by volunteers and which acknowledges the diversity of talent and experience of mediators in the community sector.  This organisational membership available from 1 June 2024 will, amongst a number of benefits, provide a quality mark to reassure funders and make clear the significant steps that community mediation providers take to look after vulnerable clients. For more information, please contact the CMC Secretariat.

Bringing the meeting to a conclusion was an update on a CMC project to raise public awareness of local community mediation services via a digital map to be disseminated to MPs, primary care settings and citizens advice hubs.

Future events were also confirmed to include an exclusive webinar for Community and Peer Mediation Working Group members by Professor Elizabeth Stokoe on the topic of ‘mediation and impartiality’.  Members were also encouraged to nominate their mediation heroes for this year’s National Mediation Awards which are taking place in December: Who is your Community Mediator of the Year…?

To join the CMC Community Mediation Working Group and attend the next session on 3 October 2024 please contact Victoria Harris.