Sanctuary Shaftesbury has launched a unique new training scheme which will bring to an end disputes between residents living on an Exeter housing estate.
The idea behind the scheme is to allow residents to become peacemakers by helping them acquire the skills of mediators.
A mixed group of eight men and women from the Pennyfarthing estate in Rydon Lane signed up to take part in the training programme which was held over a series of three weekends at the Somerset Centre for Arts and Technology in Taunton.
Sue Banwell-Moore, who carries out work for Somerset Mediation, conducted the 40 hour course and was delighted by the residents’ response.
She said: “All of the residents who signed up were very enthusiastic throughout the training programme. It was a pleasure to work with them and I was very impressed by their variety of skills.
And the new mediators are not only helping to resolve neighbourhood conflict but have seen an improvement in the way they can communicate with their friends, family and work colleagues.
Householder Adrian Burbridge jumped at the opportunity to take part in the new programme. He said: “When I heard about the scheme I had no doubt I wanted to sign up and help people on the estate.”
“It was great to gain the qualification and I enjoy the fact my work can have a positive impact on others lives. We are seeing benefits with people approaching me with their problems and mediation work would make for a worthwhile and fulfilling career move.”
Sanctuary Shaftesbury’s Operations Director Jo Curry presented each of the eight residents with a certificate to say they had successfully passed the Level 3 OCN Qualification in Community Mediation Practice on completion of the course.
Jo added: “Mediation from the group will be of great benefit to residents because they can relate to their problems.”
“Issues can be quickly and peacefully resolved and so far we have a 100 per cent success rate for all cases.”
The mediators will be known as TIMS – the Independent Mediation Service and can be contacted in complete confidence on 01803 676555. Sanctuary is also looking to extend the scheme across the UK.
6 November 2007