Young Talk is a pilot project developed by Scottish Mediation to support and empower young people in Scotland to deal positively with conflict in a variety of settings, and to develop important life and social skills, through peer mediation. Membership to Young Talk is free and comes with a variety of membership benefits – we want to be as accessible and useful to those practising peer mediation, or those interested in peer mediation, as possible.
Over recent years a number of schools and organisations across Scotland have introduced peer mediation programmes, however at present there is no mechanism for sharing good practice or for young people to continue their learning and development in mediation. Like any skill, mediation needs to be practised and developed – and in the case of peer mediation it needs to be done in a way that meets young people’s needs and abilities. Young Talk sets out to fill the gap in existing learning, training, and CPD provision for peer mediators, and to allow young people to develop their conflict resolution and communication skills through meeting and connecting with other peer mediators from across Scotland.
The project, developed by Scottish Mediation was launched in June 2015 and is funded by Young Start (The Big Lottery). We successfully achieved a further two years funding from Young Start which employed a Peer Mediation Network Coordinator by Scottish Mediation to support all aspects of the project and its development.
The target areas for the period 2017-19 are West Lothian and Greater Dundee schools. Individuals and organisations outside the target areas are also welcome to join the peer mediation network. In this current period of funding we will continue to aim for the long term sustainability of Young Talk as a peer mediation network across Scotland.
If your school/organisation has had peer mediation training and you are not part of Young Talk– please get in touch with the coordinator, Sarah Welsh at sarah@scottishmediation.org.uk.
Young Talk:
- Supports the use of mediation by children and young people in schools, organisations and other relevant settings
- Provides development opportunities in conflict resolution skills for young people practising peer mediation
- Provides opportunities and forums for young people and others involved in peer mediation to meet, connect and share ideas
- Supports the establishment and maintenance of sustainable peer mediation services, as well as development of best practice, in schools and organisations.
- Promotes and supports research on peer mediation, as well as recognition and validation of the benefits of peer mediation practices
