Volunteer News with Rose Austen
| Published: 6th May 2008 20:37 |
Disagreements with neighbours? Conflict between teenagers and parents?
It is often very difficult to resolve these kinds of problems from within the situation without risking making them worse. Ideally the best way is for people to sort these problems out between themselves, but this is not always possible without outside help.
Mediation is a way of helping people to discuss problems and reach a solution acceptable to everyone involved through listening, supporting and guiding each party towards resolving their problems. Hastings and Rother Mediation Service is a highly regarded local organisation providing specially trained volunteer Mediators from the local community. The service is free, impartial, independent and confidential.
If you feel that you would like to help your community, and local families by becoming a volunteer Mediator, then Hastings and Rother Mediation Service will be commencing their next Community Mediation training course in October 2008. You don't need any formal qualifications to apply. The personal qualities required are to be a good listener; the ability to remain impartial and to be able to keep any information you hear confidential. A friendly personality is an advantage, as is an ability to work as part of a team.
The initial training course is 30 hours spread over 5 weeks (one day a week). After this Mediators usually spend 2 - 4 hours a week on cases. There are regular support meetings and volunteer expenses are reimbursed.
Mediators always work in pairs with back up from the managers. All visits are within the Hastings and Rother Boundaries. Access to a car is ideal although Mediators without a car can still be accepted.
If you want to find out more then contact Nicola Hawkins, Manager, Hastings & Rother Mediation Service, 2nd Floor, 3 Cambridge Gardens, Hastings TN34 1EH. Tel: 01424 446808, Email: hrmediation@aol.com Website: www.hrmediation.org
If you are interested in volunteering and want to find out more, contact me at the Volunteer Centre on 01424 446060/444010 or email: rose@hvauk.org. You can also find voluntary opportunities by visiting www.do-it.org.uk or on H.V.A.'s own website www.hastingsvoluntaryaction.org/volunteering
