Volunteering

No specific qualifications are required to become a mediator. Mediators need to be good listeners and able to empathise with people in difficult situations. It is very important to be non-judgemental and able to relate to people of all backgrounds and life experiences.

All our volunteers have a qualification in Mediation. Most of our volunteers attend one of our training courses, and complete the NOCN Programme in Community Mediation Skills. It consists of a 6 day training course, followed by a period of assessed case work. During this period you will take on a minimum of 5 cases, supported by a qualified, experienced mediator, as well as having supervisions and support sessions, and completing work which enables you to reflect upon your practice. There is no time limit for completing this course, although it usually takes people approximately 6 months.

Some of our mediators have trained elsewhere, or have a comparable qualification in other branches of mediation. If you have worked as a mediator elsewhere and are interested in joining Vale Community Mediation Service, please contact us to discuss your situation.

Once you have completed your training, you will join our mediator team. Mediation is a very flexible form of volunteering. For each case you take on, you will agree a mutually convenient time to meet with the clients involved. This means that it is possible to organise your volunteering around other commitments in your life

We usually charge for our training courses. People who wish to volunteer with us can attend the training programme for free, although we do ask volunteers to commit to working with us for at least 40 hours once they have completed the course.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mediator, please contact us