Mediation
When communication has broken down or a difficult issue is getting in the way, mediation can help people understand what is happening and explore what needs to change.
My approach is restorative where possible. As a restorative practitioner, I help people explore what matters to them, why it matters and what they need going forward, while making room to hear the other person’s perspective.
Mediation is not about deciding who is right or wrong. It provides a structured, supported conversation. As mediator, I help people slow things down, see the issues more clearly and explore practical ways forward. The participants decide whether they can reach agreement.
Talk about mediation
What to expect
Initial conversations
I first talk with the organisation or referring party to understand the situation, what they hope to achieve, and whether mediation is likely to be an appropriate process.
Pre-mediation meetings
I meet individually with each participant before the joint session to talk through:
- What has been happening, what matters to them and what they hope to achieve
- What to expect from mediation and how to get the most from the session
- Any support or practical needs
I also help people begin to reflect more broadly on the situation before coming together.
The mediation session
The participants come together, in person or online, for a structured conversation. I support people to get to the heart of what is happening: what matters most, why it matters and what they need to move forward.
I create space for each person to hear the other's perspective. Where helpful, I may slow the conversation down, ask questions, reflect back what I am hearing, or help someone express something in a way that can be more easily heard.
The aim is to build understanding and explore practical ways of working together.
Agreement and next steps
Where agreement is reached, I capture the practical actions in writing.
You can ask about mediation before a relationship breaks down completely
If difficult conversations keep going in circles, outside support may help you consider a different way forward. We can talk through the situation and whether mediation is suitable.
Talk about mediation