Exciting Intergenerational Research Project: Exploring the Impact of Time2Talk and How Families Can Get Involved

“Mediation was amazing. We understand each other better now and we’re not arguing as much.” 

At Mediation Plus, we hear feedback like this time and time again from families who have taken part in our intergenerational mediation service, Time2Talk. These words are more than just testimonials, they’re powerful reminders of the real, lasting impact that mediation can have on family relationships.  

Time2Talk is designed to support families navigating communication challenges, relationship breakdown and disagreements that can impact every aspect of family life. The service offers a safe, structured space for everyone to be heard and to work toward mutual understanding using the core mediation principles of impartiality, confidentiality and voluntary participation.  

We know that mediation between young people and their parents or carers can really make a difference and we want to build a greater understanding of how and why it works, and how we can make it even better. That’s why we’re thrilled to be part of a new and exciting research project that aims to explore these questions in depth. 

A Research Partnership with Real-World Impact 

We’re proud to share that Mary Locke, one of our volunteer mediators and a Trustee at Mediation Plus, is leading this research as part of her PhD at the University of Strathclyde. Mary brings a wealth of experience in mediation and a deep commitment to supporting families in conflict. Her research is focused on understanding the lived experiences of families who participate in Time2Talk, with the goal of identifying what makes the process effective, and where it can be improved. 

This academic research is grounded in real-life practice, with the potential to influence how mediation services are delivered, both here at Mediation Plus and across the wider field of community and intergenerational mediation. 

What the Research Involves 

Mary’s study takes a qualitative approach, meaning it’s all about listening to people’s stories and experiences in their own words. The research involves: 

• Recording real-life mediation sessions (with full consent from all participants) 

• Interviewing family members and mediators after the mediation process has concluded 

By capturing these insights, the research aims to build a richer picture of what happens during mediation, what helps, what hinders, and what families take away from the experience. 

Why This Matters 

Intergenerational conflict is a growing concern in many communities. Young people today face a unique set of pressures, from social media and academic stress to mental health challenges. At the same time, parents and carers are often juggling work, financial pressures, issues with housing and their own emotional wellbeing. It’s no surprise that tensions can arise. 

Mediation offers a constructive alternative to ongoing conflict. It can help families move from blame to understanding, and from frustration to empathy. But to ensure that services like Time2Talk are as effective and inclusive as possible, we need to listen carefully to the voices of those who use them. 

This research will help us do just that. It will provide evidence-based insights that could in future shape training for mediators, may help service design improvements, demonstrate the efficacy of mediation and ultimately lead to better outcomes for families. 

How Families Can Get Involved 

If you’re just starting the Time2Talk process, you may be invited to take part in the research. Participation is entirely voluntary, and your decision to take part, or not, will have no impact on the mediation service you receive. 

All information gathered during the process will be anonymised, with any names of people and places removed.  

If you do choose to participate, you’ll be helping to shape the future of intergenerational mediation, not just at Mediation Plus, but potentially across the UK. Your experiences could help other families find their way through conflict and build stronger, more resilient relationships. 

You can find out more about what’s involved by reading the Participant Information Sheet or by contacting Mary directly at mary.locke@strath.ac.uk. 

Looking Ahead 

At Mediation Plus, we’re committed to learning, growing, and improving. This research project is a key part of that journey. It reflects our belief that the best services are those that are informed by the people who use them, and that listening is at the heart of both good mediation and good research. 

We’re very grateful to the families and mediators who are contributing to this important study. We look forward to sharing the findings in the future and using them to strengthen Time2Talk and other services we offer. 

In the meantime, if you or someone you know could benefit from intergenerational mediation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.