Community Mediation Working Group – Supporting Continued Momentum
Community Mediation Working Group – Supporting Continued Momentum
The community mediation sector continues to respond to change with creativity, collaboration and practical problem-solving. This update from the CMC Community Mediation Working Group highlights key issues, initiatives and opportunities shaping the work ahead, from funding and advocacy to skills sharing and sector development.
REPORT BY ANNA ROBINSON AND VICTORIA HARRIS
The CMC Community Mediation Working Group met on 27 January to support continued momentum in the sector.
A discussion led by Chair Alice Matthews looked at the potential impact of upcoming changes on services, including Local Authority Reorganisation and the removal of the Office of Police and Crime Commissioners. Delegates shared experiences from their local areas. Whilst much is still unknown, the value of diversification of activities and funding to guard against possible loss of funding was highlighted. Others emphasised the potential benefits of reorganisation which may result in fewer but better funded contracts which would be easier to administer.
Promoting community mediation is a standing topic for the group. Having gone live with the digital map for community mediation services on the Civil Mediation Council (CMC) website, Alice Matthews from Mediation Plus gave an update on the map which now includes 31 services. During the meeting Tower Hamlets Mediation Project asked to be added to the map! This map is a key step in linking referrers and individuals experiencing conflict to their local community mediation service.
To support the sector the CMC are actively promoting the value of community mediation with local and national government. Our CEO Victoria Harris advised of a recent presentation to the DWP on the topic of ‘Reducing parental conflict’ where she encouraged an audience of 152 local authorities to fund and refer appropriate cases to their local community mediation service. Other initiatives included responding to the Government inquiry on Access to Justice and attending the recent briefing from the Independent Commission for Community and Cohesion. More engagement with the Commission is planned.
The group were treated to a skill share from Danni Drummond Brassington, a volunteer at Mediation Hertfordshire, on what community mediators need to know if faced with a boundary dispute, a common issue that can arise between neighbours. Thank you Danni, for sharing your expertise on this topic.
The upcoming National Mediation Awards were also discussed with delegates advised that they will have the opportunity to nominate for their ‘Community Mediator of the Year’ when nominations open in March. A fabulous opportunity to acknowledge the often pro-bono efforts of individuals who help others to resolve conflict.
Future initiatives to promote community mediation include raising awareness with Residential Managing Agents (thanks to Liz Kendall for this idea!) and creating resources to supply to those who can refer to community mediation services (thank you to Giselle Green for that one!).
Finally, the group discussed the excellent TV show involving Dave Walker MBE, Director of Mediation at Calm Mediation who showcased community mediation in the wild with Bear Grylls. Well done Dave and thank you from us all!
We are grateful to everyone who attends and contributes to this working group. If you want to get involved or learn more about the CMC Community Mediation Working Group, please contact Anna Robinson at projects@civilmediation.org.
