Like everyone at the moment I’m working from home during this challenging time.
I wanted to take the opportunity to say a big shout out to all schools I have worked with over the last year delivering fun and very successful peer mediation training courses. Hoping that you are all safe and well. I was also wondering if young people have been using their mediation skills in resolving inevitable conflict arising during the lock-down. Let me know if you have any examples. It would be good to share.
This work is so rewarding, and I have witnessed many children grow in confidence by learning new skills and taking responsibility for supporting their peers through peer mediation taking place in the school .
I know that core subjects are a priority at the moment, however, I thought it would be useful to offer a reminder of what pupils have learned during my time with them.
Peer Mediation helps young people take action and resolve conflict themselves. It helps them be heard and tell their side of the story. It ends with when they agree on their own solutions. Mediation skills learned are life skills that can be used in other areas of their lives, helping raise their self-esteem and confidence together with helping to build, social and emotional well-being.
If you want to brush up on skills learned, then REMEMBER YOUNG TALK PEER MEDIATION APP. is accessible to all in Google Play or the App store. Some of the content includes the following:-
- Definition of Peer Mediation
- What are the benefits of peer mediation
- Qualities and Skills of a peer Mediator
- 5 Steps of peer mediation
- Welcome and Introduction – get people’s names and set ground rules for mediation. This supports peer mediators and helps those attending mediation to feel more confident about the process
- Getting the story – each person gets individual time to tell their side of the story – mediators listen
- Finding out a bit more – mediators use open questions to get more information, who? what? where? when? how?
- Exploring the options for agreement – again each person gets to speak and agreements can be reached. People then decided which option both agree to try
- Reaching Agreement – Mediators will clearly set out agreements to clarify what has been said
- Links to peer mediation YouTube videos produced by young people to use in training
- Link to Scottish Mediation/Peer Mediation web site
- Additional links and resources
PLEASE NOTE… I am happy to receive expressions of interests for training. I am prepared and hopeful that I can deliver programmes in the new 2020/2021 term.
Training courses include –
- 2-day peer mediation training course for pupils from P4/5 to S4/5 in school
- Half or full day refresher peer mediation training course can be negotiated directly
- 1 day Training 4 Trainers course for adults who want to develop peer mediation programmes either in school or community settings
In March this year the Peer Mediation Training 4 Trainers course took place and was attended by 12 adults who plan to develop their peer mediation skills and train young people themselves, in their own settings. This course aims to expand the number of adults trained in this field. Participants came from the expanse of the UK which included the Channel Islands, Shetland and everywhere in between. Participants also rated the course highly.
Quote …” It would be remiss of us not to mention the day we had with Sarah learning about how peer mediation is working and how you have created a movement across Scotland. It was a terrific day and we will return to Jersey full of energy and hope for what we are able to achieve” (Richard, The Resolution Centre, Jersey) March 2020
This course will run again during school term 2020/2021.
Please contact me by email if you need help using the app, or more information on training courses. Courses can be tailored to your needs.
Take care and be safe.
Sarah Welsh
Peer Mediation Coordinator/Trainer
Scottish mediation
0131 556 1221
sarah@scottishmediation.org.uk
APP – Young Talk Peer Mediation
@youngtalkmedi8 – twitter