Family Mediation Week is an opportunity to raise awareness of family mediation and of the benefits it can bring to separating families. During the week a number of events will be running, including a series of presentations that are FREE to the general public. These sessions, listed below, cover a range of helpful topics and are accessible via Zoom. Please click on the topic to link to the booking page.

• Mon 27th 9.15am – 10.15am Family Mediation Week 2025 – launch

• Mon 27th 12 – 1pm The benefits of attending a (MIAM)

• Tues 28th 12 – 1pm Is it possible to mediate with a Narcissist?

• Weds 29th 12 – 1pm What is child-inclusive mediation?

• Thursday 30th 12 – 1pm The flexibility and power of Media

Relate Mid & East Surrey are pleased to have been offering Mediation sessions for many years as we know this is a positive option for many separating couples. Our website here (link here) gives further information on the Mediation process, including the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme and shuttle sessions. You can also read more in our article here

Meet our Mediator – Alison Chisolm, FMCA Mediator & Child-Inclusive Mediator

With a varied career spanning over two decades, Alison has a wealth of experience in mediation, counselling, and psychotherapy. Trained as an integrative counsellor and Gestalt psychotherapist, and as a Family Mediation Council Accredited and Child Inclusive family mediator, Alison has been in private practice for several years, providing these services in Surrey.  Her therapeutic foundation has enabled Alison to bring a deep understanding of the human experience and the complexities of emotional well-being to her mediation work.

Alison has spent a decade as a staff counsellor and mediator for a large local authority. During this time, she honed a diverse skill set, working with individuals and teams to resolve workplace conflicts, and helping individuals experiencing a wide range of work related and personal issues.

Alison expanded her mediation focus into family mediation, training with National Family Mediation to became an accredited mediator with the Family Mediation Council (FMC) in 2014. She has worked for a number of mediation services across Surrey and Berkshire offering guidance to families navigating divorce, separation, and child arrangement matters.

Now Alison is enjoying her collaboration with the team at Relate Mid & East Surrey and is available for in-person or Zoom appointments.

Mediation: A Pathway to Resolution and Harmony

Life can be full of unexpected twists, and relationships are no exception. Whether it’s a marriage breaking down, family disputes, or the need to reassess arrangements for children, navigating these situations can be emotionally and practically challenging. Mediation offers a solution: a calm, structured, and impartial process to help individuals resolve conflicts and move forward with clarity and confidence.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a process in which an independent, professionally trained mediator helps people resolve disputes. It’s a collaborative approach designed to find solutions that work for everyone involved. Unlike court proceedings, mediation empowers individuals to make their own decisions rather than having outcomes imposed upon them by a judge.

At its core, mediation is about fostering communication, understanding different perspectives, and finding common ground. It’s particularly helpful for families navigating separation, enabling them to address parenting arrangements, property division, financial matters, and more. Mediation is not just about resolving immediate conflicts; it’s about setting the stage for healthier interactions in the future.

The Mediation Process: How Does It Work?

1. The First Step: MIAM The journey begins with a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). This is a one-on-one meeting where each party separately meets with the mediator to discuss their concerns, goals, and expectations. The mediator will explain how the process works and assess whether mediation is suitable for your circumstances. Attending a MIAM is mandatory before taking disputes to court, reflecting the preference for non-court resolutions.
2. Joint Mediation Sessions If both parties agree to proceed, joint sessions are arranged. These sessions are held in a neutral, safe environment, giving everyone a chance to be heard and work towards practical solutions. The mediator’s role is to guide discussions, facilitate understanding, and help explore options. For those uncomfortable being in the same room, shuttle mediation can be arranged, where the mediator moves between separate spaces for each party.
3. Child Inclusive Mediation In cases involving children, their voices can also be included through Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM). Children meet privately with the mediator to express their feelings, worries, and hopes for the future. Their input ensures that decisions take their well-being and wishes into account.
4. Final Agreements Once agreements are reached, the mediator will document them in a memorandum of understanding. This document can be used to create legally binding arrangements, such as child arrangement orders or consent orders, with the help of solicitors.

Why Choose Mediation?

Mediation has a number of significant benefits:

• Cost-Effective: Mediation is typically far less expensive than court proceedings.
• Quicker Resolutions: Agreements can often be reached in just a few sessions, compared to the lengthy timelines of court cases.
• Less Stressful: Mediation focuses on collaboration, reducing conflict and emotional strain.
• Child-Focused: The process ensures that children’s interests are prioritised, fostering healthier family dynamics.
• Empowering: Individuals stay in control of the outcomes rather than leaving decisions to a judge.

How Mediation Supports Families

Mediation is particularly powerful for families experiencing separation or divorce. It provides a platform to:

• Agree on parenting arrangements, ensuring children maintain positive relationships with both parents.
• Resolve financial matters, including child maintenance, property division, and pensions.
• Reassess and adjust arrangements as circumstances change over time.

Grandparents and other relatives can also benefit from mediation to restore contact with children when relationships have become strained.

Making Mediation Accessible

At RMES, we’re committed to making mediation accessible to everyone. Our sliding fee scale ensures affordability, and the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme provides financial support for parents mediating child arrangements. We’re here to help you find solutions quickly, with most mediations completed within 2-3 months.

Looking Ahead: Family Mediation Week

Family Mediation Week, held annually in January, is an excellent opportunity to learn more about how mediation can help. This week highlights the benefits of mediation and provides resources, webinars, and information for families and professionals. Whether you’re starting the mediation process or simply exploring your options, this is a great time to take the first step. Find out more, including free seminars here: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/family-mediation-week-2025-timetable/

Get in Touch

Mediation can be the key to unlocking a more harmonious and stable future. If you’re ready to explore this path, contact us to schedule your initial MIAM or to learn more about how we can support you. Together, we can find solutions that work for everyone involved.