Positive Conflict Workshop by Hackney Mediation Service
This was a well thought out and executed workshop run by two peer researchers, Saleem and Iesha.
The purpose of the workshop was to share information about the research project which took place this summer. This peer led project wanted to find out where the youth in Hackney came across conflict and to raise awareness about the best ways to resolve it. Eventually Hackney aims to establish a peer mediation service for it's young people.
The young presenters introduced us to a good warm up game which I had not used before ( always useful). We were told about their training to become skilled researchers and were engaged in discussions and role play about the best ways to interview people. We were shown a clip from a DVD showing a focus group discussion.
They used Powerpoint to help deliver some of the information they had collected such as 49% of the people interviewed thought a good way to resolve conflict was to talk about it but only 21% actually did the last time they were in conflict. Email cityzengroup@hotmail.com for a full report.
Their final report recommended that a good peer mediation team should be set up in each school and links should be established and maintained with the mediation service, police and youth groups. The research project had been a good first step in getting things going. It was well planned and supported.
It had raised awareness among the public about conflict and mediation and also established a committed team of young people with the confidence to move things forward with the help of a few dedicated staff.
Good luck with this Hackney and thank you for an informative workshop. It made me think about my own plans to establish peer mediation in more secondary schools and the need to get on board from the outset a committed group of young people.