Calm Mediation regularly runs one-day Neighbour Conversion courses designed specifically for accredited Mediators who want to deepen their skills, learn and about Calm’s unique processes and work as a volunteer across London. This intensive course equips participants with the practical knowledge and techniques needed to support Calm Mediation’s mission to resolve disputes and strengthen communities. By the end of the day, trainees are ready to volunteer with the charity, applying their newly acquired skills to help people in need of peaceful conflict resolution.
The course attracts individuals from a variety backgrounds, all with the shared goal of using mediation to make a positive impact. Through training, participants learn how Calm’s mediation methods can address conflicts in diverse settings – but particularly in housing disputes.
Calm’s trainers regularly faciliate the course throughout the year. In February four particiapants who attending the most course held at Linklaters, shared details about why they signed up to train with Calm for this part of their mediation journey
Antoni Swidlicki: A Career Shift Toward Meaningful Work
Antoni came to the course with a year of experience in marketing but said he had found himself feeling dissatisfied with his working life. He said something didn’t fit and decided to embark on what he feels is a more meaningful career. With a workplace mediation qualification already in hand, Antoni is also training as a therapist, having realised that his passion lies in helping others.
Currently volunteering with the Samaritans, Antoni is excited about the prospect of volunteering with Calm Mediation. He sees mediation as an opportunity to support individuals in resolving disputes in a constructive and peaceful manner, providing a positive outlet for his desire to make a difference in people’s lives.
Adelina Mulargia: Empowering Others Through Mediation
Adelina’s diverse career has led her from hospitality and immigration to frontline support work with Victim Support, where she assists victims of domestic violence and antisocial behaviour. With a Master’s degree in Human Rights from University College London, Adelina has a deep passion for helping vulnerable individuals find peaceful resolutions to their challenges.
She is particularly interested in using mediation to support both workplace and community environments, believing that mediation can help foster understanding and collaboration in diverse settings. Her goal is to use the skills gained through the course to enhance her support work and empower those she helps to navigate conflict with confidence.
Francesca Filippini: Combining Law and Mediation for Dispute Resolution
Francesca, a housing solicitor at LawStop, has long been involved in legal work but felt drawn to exploring alternative methods for resolving disputes. After working with victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster, she recognised the power of mediation as a tool for resolving conflicts without the need for prolonged litigation.
Her prior training in Civil and Commercial Mediation has deepened her interest in this approach. Francesca sees volunteering with Calm Mediation as an opportunity to enhance her professional practice, bringing mediation techniques into her housing law work to better serve clients and build stronger relationships in the process.
Rachel Akinyele: Bridging Psychology and Mediation
Rachel is in her third year of studying Psychology at Goldsmiths University. Having already participated in a Peer Mediation program run by Calm Mediation, she felt motivated to deepen her knowledge and skills by attending the Neighbour Conversion Course.
Rachel is interested in using mediation to help people, particularly children, resolve conflicts and improve their relationships. She believes that it is an essential tool for creating positive change, and after graduating, she plans to pursue a career where she can use these core skills.
Building a Stronger Mediation Community
The one-day Neighbour Conversion Course is more than just a training event for Calm Mediation. It is an opportunity to build a network of dedicated volunteers who are committed to resolving disputes in a way that fosters cooperation and understanding. Participants like Antoni, Francesca, Adelina, and Rachel are now part of a growing community of mediators, each with their own unique goals and aspirations for making a difference.
Calm Mediation remains steadfast in its commitment to providing high-quality training that empowers individuals to use mediation as a tool for peace. By expanding its network of trained mediators, the charity continues to make a lasting impact on communities and individuals in need of support.
For more information about our training programs or to learn how to get involved, visit calmmediation.org.
