We Are The Midlands Mediation Network

The continuing economic downturn highlights considerable challenges for Mediation Services across the country. Over the last twelve months, many services have ceased to be and many others face uncertain futures.

The Midlands Mediation Network has its part to play in helping its members to overcome those challenges and continue to promote a wider understanding of the appropriate use of mediation and other related forms of conflict management and prevention and to raise awareness and provide a responsive, sustainable and accessible service for all.

The Network aims to support and promote education, training and research in skills and best practice and to organise standards of professional conduct and training and to be a centre of excellence for skilled professional mediators in the Midlands.

The Network has an annual programme of workshops seminars. The agenda and purpose of the meetings are as relevant as possible to the needs of the core membership and encourage effective development and sharing of information and best practice within all aspects of mediation across Central England.

Many Mediation and Conflict Resolution services are not large organisations and work with limited funding. The Midlands Mediation Network can give those organisations help, support and development opportunities.

I want to encourage all existing members to support the Network at Network Events. Currently there is no National body that is inclusive and represents all types of mediation. The MMN is an inclusive network; we are a member led regional organisation that has been established for many years and that is our strength.

We have a vibrant Management Group who plan the network day themes and is always looking for members to join the group. The Network runs four Network Days annually, with themed informative and educational workshops aimed at the continuing development of mediation and mediation practices.

Brief History

The Midlands Mediation Network is a well established Network for all disciplines of mediation and has operated in the East and West Midlands since 1997*. During that time the Network has worked with government and national bodies to promote mediation as a cost effective way of dealing with conflict. We have fed into surveys about what is happening on the front line and has offered support to mediation services through turbulent times when funding is not always forthcoming.

The Network has seen mediation through what can only be described as a ‘roller coaster’ time over the past fifteen years when is has been the best thing since sliced bread to lets concentrate on Anti Social Behaviour and not the relationship / communication between individuals back again to let us try mediation and getting individuals to take control of their lives. We are now seeing mediation being promoted by the Ministry of Justice to reduce the courts involvement in divorce and neighbour disputes.

We have always welcomed all disciplines and been open to helping mediators and mediation services develop their practice and even develop new and exciting ways of using mediation.

The Midlands Mediation Network encourages its members to be properly trained with a relevant or accredited training scheme. It promotes continuous updating of skills and practices and ongoing supervision and support for new and experienced mediators.

If you are interested in becoming a member please contact us for more information.