SACRO Highland Community Mediation: Talking it over
last updated
02/06/2009 10:01
Over the last few years, the Scottish Executive and housing providers in the Highlands, (including Housing Associations such as Albyn, and The Highland Council) have recognised the severe impact that neighbour disputes and anti-social behaviour can have on people’s everyday lives. A recent initiative launched to help people to deal with these problems is Highland Community Mediation, which helps people to talk problems over and to find common ground so that neighbours can show each other mutual respect.
What is mediation?
Community Mediation is available free of charge throughout the Highlands regardless of whether the people involved rent or own their house. Mediation is voluntary, confidential and impartial. The service concentrates on practical solutions and aims to help parties involved to reach an agreement that everyone can live with.
Highland Community Mediation is provided on behalf of The Highland Council by SACRO, an independent community safety organisation. Other organisations, including Albyn, are also closely involved in supporting the service, and sit on a steering group to monitor how it works. SACRO employ trained mediators who listen impartially to all sides, help to find shared aims between those involved, and help parties to find their own solutions. Problems most commonly discussed include rubbish, fences, noise nuisance and pets, for example.
How does it work?
- Not all neighbour disputes are suitable for mediation, but for many cases mediation can be the best option. Some problems can be solved much more easily if those involved tackle them at an early stage and mediation can help to do this.
- The agreement is yours – the mediators just help you reach it
- Mediation concentrates on issues that affect you and your home and is concerned with practical solutions for the future that everyone can live with.
- More than 90% of mediation meetings end in agreement between neighbours.
Further contact:
If you would like to know more about Highland Community Mediation you can get a leaflet from our Invergordon office, or speak to any of our Housing Management staff. Alternatively you can contact SACRO directly on 01463 716325 or email info@highland.sacro.org.uk