We currently have a dedicated and enthusiastic team of 60 volunteers who work together in pairs helping neighbours to resolve their disputes. Most of these volunteers also work in pairs to mediate on cases involving families in conflict (our Time 2 Talk service).
Our volunteers are ordinary people who live or work in the Eastbourne, Wealden and Lewes areas. We recruit volunteers from all sections of the community, all walks of life and from any age 18 years and above. Some of our mediators are retired, others work full or part-time, but all have the desire to give something back to the community.
You do not have to have any special skills or experience to become a mediator. However, you do need to be able to listen, to respect our policy of confidentiality, to be non-judgemental, and to be committed to the principles of mediation.
After the initial training course, volunteers need to be prepared to make a commitment for at least one year, and each volunteer is likely to be called upon for an average of two visits per month. We visit our clients either during the day or in the evenings (but not at weekends). Many of our volunteers are able to offer more of their time, which is, of course, welcomed by Mediation+. Travel expenses are reimbursed.
Mediation+ provides a free mediation skills training course to prospective volunteers wishing to train as mediators. Our training course has been accredited by Mediation UK, the 'umbrella' organisation which oversees UK mediation services.
The initial training course requires attendance to four Saturdays (10am-4pm), plus a two hour evening session. To train as a 'Time 2 Talk' mediator (assisting families in conflict) requires a further 3 days training plus one evening session.
Once trained, mediators work with more experienced mediators, in order to develop their own expertise and confidence. Our volunteers are always required to complete a number of neighbour cases before moving on to mediate on Time 2 Talk cases. Mediators always work in pairs and receive telephone and face-to-face support from the office staff.
All our volunteers are expected to attend a minimum number of team-meetings/training evenings which are held regularly throughout the year. We also run monthly peer support meetings which give volunteers the opportunity to get together in a supportive environment to discuss best practice and any areas of concern. Mediation+ also arranges for guest speakers to attend training evenings to present on areas of interest and relevance to the service.
Mediation+ offers regular supervision to mediators in small groups or on a one-to-one basis.
For details of our forthcoming Mediation Training course in Autumn 2011, please email info@mediation-plus.org.uk or call 01323 442781.
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