Community Mediation

Our Specially trained mediators
help neighbours resolve their conflicts.


Community Mediation is:
  • Impartial
  • Confidential
  • Independant

What is Community Mediation?

Community Mediation is a service for neighbours where there is a dispute or conflict between the neighbours. Mediation resolves the tension and resentment that can build up.

What type of neighbour dispute do we deal with?

We deal with all the usual types of non-legal and non-violent disputes that tend to crop up between neighbours, such as:

  • Noise
  • Vehicle Parking
  • Children & Young Peoples Behaviour
  • Anti Social Behaviour
  • Gardens/Fences
Or if your neighbour has already complained to you about a problem, but you feel that the complaint is not fair.

What is Mediation?

Mediation brings the people in dispute to a meeting where they can discuss the issues, and explain to each other how the dispute is affecting them. The aim of the meeting is to reach an agreement on how to resolve the dispute in a way that satisfies both parties.Mediators do not provide the answers but help the people themselves to solve the problems. The mediators set up and run the meeting and help the parties reach agreement.

In the vast majority of cases mediation will resolve at least part, if not all, of the dispute and therby ease the tension that previously existed between the two parties.

How does the mediation process work?

Trained mediators work in pairs. Initially they visit each of the individual parties at home to hear the various points of view, and how the dispute is affecting those involved. After, if both parties agree to it, the mediators will set up an arrange the first meeting, which is usually held at a neutral venue. The mediators remain impartial throughout the process. Their role is to ensure that both parties have a 'fair say', and to help the parties to listen to each other and talk to each other in a positive and constructive manner that will lead to agreements.

When should I seek mediation?

If you haven't been able to sort out the problem by speaking to your neighbour at the start of the dispute.

And

You would like to attempt a non-legal and peaceful solution to the dispute, thereby easing the tension that exists with your neighbour.

Rather than

Contacting the police, legal adviser, housing department, housing association or the local authority.

We reduce or remove
emotional conflict
bar

Problems with Neighbours

Mr Alexander had complained to the Housing Officer about noise, loud parties and constant door slamming by Miss Baxter and her children. Community Mediation wrote to both parties and, with their agreement, mediators then visited each party for an individual and confidential meeting. At the meetings, it transpired that both parties were more concerned about the atmosphere of intimidation between them than the noise itself.

A round table meeting was arranged for both parties, facilitated by the two mediators. At this meeting both parties were able to express their worries. They both agreed that the walls between their houses were thin and that they would try and keep noise levels down, although normal day-to-day noise would be acceptable. They also agreed to stop all intimidation between them and in future to "agree to disagree" about who was responsible for intimidating who in the past.

At the end of mediation both parties felt able to deal with any future concerns between themselves.
bar
Family Mediation (North Wiltshire)
Registered Office: 34 Milton Road, Swindon SN1 5JA
Registered charity number: 1077743
A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales Number: 3771140

HOME - FAMILY MEDIATION - 5 TO 18 COUNSELLING - RE-CONNECT - IN-SIGHT - COMMUNITY MEDIATION - NEWS & EVENTS - CONTACT US - DONATE - USEFUL LINKS