This month the community at Goldsmiths’ University of London welcomed a new wave of student Mediators! . Our Peer Mediation training team completed an intensive four-day program for a fresh cohort of Peer Mediators, equipping Goldsmiths’ students with the tools to successfully be able to resolve disputes for themselves and foster a positive campus environment.
Calm’s Peer trainers Mel Bruce, Alison Hewitt, and Kamlesh Singal led a rich and exciting learning experience. New students, initially curious, quickly became engrossed in the process, providing an eye- opening surprise at the depth and skill required for effective university peer mediation. They discovered that the training didn’t just teach conflict resolution theory, it unlocked a whole new perspective on how to handle disagreement.
‘I really loved the training, and I am looking forward to starting’- Trainee Peer Mediator
A core feature of the course was practical role-playing, where students applied their developing knowledge to realistic scenarios. This hands-on approach highlighted the mechanics of the mediation process, allowing them to truly understand the ‘how’ and ‘why’ it works.
Key takeaways included mastering the power of listening, which required students to consciously unlearn the impulse to interpret and, crucially, to avoid interrupting. They also focused on the power of accurate summarising for clarification and helping clients feel heard. The mediator’s ability to keep focus firmly on the future, guiding clients away from dwelling on past blame and toward constructive solutions was a real learning outcome. The power of working as a co-mediator and the importance of reading non-verbal cues (body language and expressions) also proved to be critical points of development. Our new Goldsmiths Peer Mediators are now ready to put their training into practice and apply these skills to cultivate a more collaborative and understanding student community.
Three Years of Training Students
Calm Mediation has been delivering peer mediation training at Goldsmiths for three years now. Our commitment is to ‘train and sustain,’ ensuring long-term success. Our trainers look forward to supporting the latest cohort of trained students on incoming cases. Through our regular, ongoing supervision sessions, we will ensure their skills remain effective and that peer mediation thrives at Goldsmiths.
Our project at Goldsmiths is just one example of how Calm Mediation works with universities and colleges across the country, providing bespoke training to embed essential student conflict resolution skills right into the heart of the educational environment.
More About Peer Mediation?
If your institution is looking to empower its students, reduce campus disputes, and build a more resilient community, we can help. We’d love to hear from you – you’ll find more information here.
