A brand-new Peer Mediation standalone website is currently under construction and will be launched soon.
Register your interest using the contact form to be notified of the new website launch entering Peer Mediation in the comments/questions box and I will let you know as soon as it is up online.
Please note, at present, there is no training or social interactions due to the government’s COVID-19 restrictions, however, training, etc. will resume when these restrictions are lifted.
In the meantime, here is some basic information on what Peer Mediation is, how it works and what the benefits are.
What is Peer Mediation?
Peer mediation involves two trained mediators assisting pupils and youngsters in conflict through a series of steps so that they can find their own way of resolving their problems.
Peer mediation sessions are always co-mediated, meaning the two pupils or youngsters will sit down together to mediate a conflict between two peers who are having a conflict or disagreement.
Difficulties and disagreements, from spreading rumours to fights in the playground, are faced, and brought out into the open. Through acknowledgement and careful exploration comes shared understanding which usually leads to a negotiated, constructive, non-violent way of managing the conflict.
It builds important life and social skills and helps develop vital life and social skills that make communication with people around us, including family and friends, better and healthier.
You could argue that anyone needs a degree in mediation to be able to manage stressful situations with family and friends, especially in these times of coming out of lockdown.
The knowledge, tools, and skills to become peer mediators is given through the process of Peer Mediation Training.
Not surprisingly, peer mediators often say that they take their skills with them and use them in their families and with their friends outside of school, mediating successfully between siblings, siblings and parents, or friends who have fallen out.
Conflict is something that happens between people all throughout life, at all ages, and therefore mediation skills and knowledge will always be useful and beneficial.
Peer mediation helps young people develop…
- New skills
- Teamwork
- A different way of thinking
- Negotiation skills
- Emotional intelligence
- Problem-solving skills
- A recognition that they are taken seriously, resulting in increased confidence and self-esteem.