In general

A family mediator is an impartial and neutral third party helping people who are in dispute (or potentially in dispute) reach their own mutually accepted decisions that best meet their own needs and those of any children involved.

It works with principles of fairness and respect for all taking part and can be equally successful in both high and low conflict situations. Because it aims to reduce conflict and approaches dispute in a non-adversarial way both parties can feel satisfied with the outcome.

Family mediators are friendly and practical in their approach. They are realistic and have considerable experience of working in relationship breakdown, separation and divorce and understand the difficulties often encountered. They will not tell you what to do but guide the discussions constructively so that you both can achieve a way forward.

In separation and divorce

Mediation can be used at any stage of separation. For example
• to work out agreed plans for how to separate
• to deal better with difficult and/or conflicted situations following separation
• to achieve a fair and mutually acceptable settlement without incurring excessive legal costs.

Couples can be
• married or unmarried
• divorced or still married
• in same sex relationships
• living together or separated some years

It is particularly beneficial where there are children in the family to consider but we do mediate often between couples where there are no children.

All sorts of areas can be discussed and settled through mediation
• When/how/whether to separate or divorce
• How to tell the children
• Where the children will live
• Difficulties relating to contact
• Parenting differences or concerns regarding quality of care
• Making parenting plans for the future
• Parental communication and co-operation
• Parental responsibility
• Financial support
• What is going to happen to the family home
• Housing and accommodation
• Division of assets including any pensions
• Payment of debts

For further information e-mail: info@peterboroughfamilymediation.co.uk

Intergenerational mediation

• Grandparents can lose contact with grandchildren following parental separation and divorce. Mediation offers a way for parents and grandparents to meet in a neutral setting and explore the views and needs of all concerned leading to jointly agreed plans.
• Living in stepfamilies can make for particular stresses and strains all round at various times. Mediation can help family members explore some better understanding of different perspectives and draw up a practical and workable agreement to improve the life of all concerned.
• Relationships between generations can be difficult in all sorts of families and not necessarily connected with separation or divorce. Mediation can offer a way of reaching some acceptable resolution in family conflict and can include different family members and relationships. Exploring the different perspectives in the mediation setting can lead to more  understanding and jointly agreed plans for better future relationships.

For further information e-mail: margaret.lewis@peterboroughfamilymediation.co.uk

Counselling for children - Talktime

Talktime provides counselling for children and young people between the ages of 6 and 19 who are experiencing difficulties related to parental separation, divorce or conflict. The counselling is short-term, usually about 6 sessions, and delivered by professionally qualified counsellors experienced in working with children. It is a confidential Service and is usually accessed directly by parents/carers or young people but other agencies/professionals can approach on their behalf in the first instance.

Talktime also offers specialised support including groupwork to children who have been affected by domestic violence.

Talktime is currently only available in Peterborough.

For further information telephone 01733 568281 or e-mail talktime@peterboroughfamilymediation.co.uk

Information meetings

Appointments can be offered to people dealing with matters related to separation, divorce and family conflict and provide general information about help that may be available. The Service cannot give advice, particularly of a legal or financial nature, but can help explore possible ways forward. We keep an extensive range of leaflets and literature and details of other services which may be able to help even if we cannot. People at an early stage of decision-making have commented that having the time to discuss their problems confidentially with an independent outside party has helped them in deciding what to do for the best. These appointments are usually individual but can be joint if preferred.

For further information email: info@peterboroughfamilymediation.co.uk