News

Reflection and recognition

Last week saw me meet up with several mediators from around Scotland; I was there to present a workshop on the mediator accreditation scheme, which is run by the Scottish Community Mediation Network.

One of the questions that I was asked was what are the benefits of becoming accredited? I based my answer on what other mediators have told me. I talked about the feeling of being assessed, and having someone external to your organisation assess you and acknowledge that you as a mediator are working to a high standard. I also talked about how the process itself allows mediators to step back and reflect on their practise as a whole; the lessons that they have learned and the skills that they have developed.

After that I asked those in the room what their thoughts were. Several mediators commented on how giving themselves space to reflect on practise highlighted for themselves how much they do that they take for granted; their work is so busy that they rarely, if ever, take time to reflect on how many skills they have used to help neighbours in conflict.

All those present were experienced mediators; between them will have helped hundreds of neighbours in sorting out conflict over the years. What emerged from that conversation was that not only was it good for their service to be able to say their mediators are accredited, but there was a personal journey of reflection and recognition for each mediator to take.

We agreed to meet up after the next Network meeting in Glasgow in May and I look forward to supporting them as they begin to put together their portfolio over the coming months.

If you are a working mediator in the field of community mediation and interested in learning more, please visit our webpage or contact us.