Community Mediation Working Group – Skills, Digital Tools and Growing Impact
Community Mediation Working Group – Skills, Digital Tools and Growing Impact
The CMC Community Mediation Working Group met recently to share insight and explore how community mediation can have greater impact. Highlights included a skill-share on overcoming resistance to mediation and updates on the CMC Community Mediation Digital Map.
REPORT BY VICTORIA HARRIS
The recent Civil Mediation Council Community Working Group meeting brought together practitioners, leaders and new members from across the sector to share insight, strengthen connections and explore how community mediation can have even greater impact for individuals and communities.
A particular highlight was a powerful skill-share from Graham Norris of Devon Mediation Service on overcoming resistance to mediation. The discussion explored how fear, stress and misunderstanding often sit behind reluctance to engage and how conflict coaching and pre-mediation support can help people move towards constructive dialogue.
There was also exciting progress on the CMC’s Community Mediation Digital Map, which now features more than 30 services, helping communities more easily access local mediation support. Plans are underway to improve visibility, accessibility and wider public engagement — with growing external interest in the model from organisations including Mediators Beyond Borders Europe.
The group also heard updates on:
• New funding proposals to improve accessibility and awareness of community mediation
• Engagement with the Independent Commission for Community and Cohesion and the role mediation can play in strengthening communities
• Plans for the CMC Conference 2026 and community mediation breakout session
• The return of the National Mediation Awards this December, celebrating excellence, innovation and inclusion across the sector
A huge thank you to everyone contributing their expertise, energy and commitment to community mediation. The collaboration, creativity and shared purpose in this group continues to support the strength and resilience of the sector.
