Family mediation week is taking place from 23rd - 27th January. It’s being organised by the FMA (Family Mediators Association) but anyone can get involved and take part. The idea of the event is for family mediators to work together in order to amplify the message about what family mediation is, and how it can help when a couple separate. This message will be promoted online, in the media and locally across communities.

There will be a different focus each day to try to use the week to show the breadth of what mediation can offer but also so that there is new content each day. On the Monday the focus will be on resolving conflict and will feature a YouGov poll which highlights the lack of awareness amongst the general public of family mediation as an option. On Tuesday the focus will be on financial sense. This will feature a video of a mediation client talking about their experience of mediation. On Wednesday the focus will be on children’s voices and will feature a video of a child’s poem. The Thursday will focus on parenting together and will include the Ministry of Justice’s materials. Lastly on Friday the focus will be on mediation works and it will feature a short whiteboard video. The Ministry of Justice will run its own campaign in January which will focus on mediation, parenting plans and SPIPs courses.

The date has been chosen as it is after Resolution’s DR week and after the so called “Black Monday”. The idea is that all mediators can have a voice during other media focuses but that mediation week will enable practitioners to work together to get the message across during that week. Working together will enable that message to reach more people.

Louisa Witney