Neighbourhood
Mediation
What is neighbourhood mediation?
Neighbourhood Mediation is a way to help neighbours resolve disputes. The process supports people in conflict to understand each other and find their own solutions. Neighbourhood mediators listen and facilitate safe conversations with people in the same community around a wide range of disputes including noise, parking, anti-social behaviour, gardens and the use of outside space.
Mediation is cost-effective and avoids long legal battles or formal procedures. Our mediators help you identify needs, clarify issues, and negotiate practical solutions. Mediation is voluntary, and the parties make the decisions.
The mediation process
Following a referral, one of our Neighbourhood Co-ordinators will have an initial telephone discussion with all those involved to see what has been happening and decide if mediation could be helpful.
If all parties agree to take part, our mediators arrange individual meetings so each party can have a confidential discussion about the issues.
Mediators then organise a joint meeting between everyone involved. This is to help parties communicate and draw up a non legally binding agreement which everyone voluntarily signs up to.
If neighbours feel unable to take part in a joint meeting, our mediators will listen to each party separately and convey the agreed information and proposals towards a solution between them.
Frequently asked questions
Where will my meetings take place?
We have offices in St Leonards-on-Sea and Hailsham where meetings take place.
We can also meet people online, in local community venues or at home if you would prefer.
Will my neighbour find out what I have said?
We will not share anything with your neighbour without your permission.
Mediation is a confidential process. The only time we may breach confidentiality is if we have a concern about your or someone else’s safety. In these circumstances we have a duty to follow our safeguarding procedures.
Can I bring someone to the meetings?
You can bring someone to support you in meetings if you need to, and we ask that you let us know who will be attending the meeting in advance.
If a joint meeting takes place, the mediators will ensure that the meeting feels balanced and may suggest you bring a supporter. If mediation is between two large households, or a couple of people are mediating with a single individual, the mediators may discuss nominating a representative to attend.
I do not want to come face to face with my neighbour. Will I have to?
There are types of mediation we can do without you coming face to face and we can talk to you about this during your individual meeting.
While face to face joint mediation is often most effective, we can offer shuttle mediation, where parties remain in separate spaces and the mediators pass between them.
What if my neighbour does not want to take part?
Mediation is voluntary, and in some cases, one party declines mediation.
There are other ways we can offer support if this happens, including one to one support.
How much will it cost?
We can provide some mediation for free where we have a contract or grant funding.
This depends on where you live, the nature of the dispute, any risks and other agencies involved. Our Neighbourhood Coordinators can talk to you about your situation and whether this is covered. They will also let you know if there are fees for self-funded mediation.
Fees, charges and referrals
There is no cost to parties if referrals come through agencies who have service level agreements with us but, like all small independent charities, we have to cover our costs for non-funded cases through contributions from the parties involved.
Get in touch
If you would like to contact Mediation Plus, please use this form.
You can also make online referrals, by visiting our project pages.
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