Post Clapham riots local residents get serious about community cohesion (From Your Local Guardian)

Post Clapham riots local residents get serious about community cohesion

9:58am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Wandsworth

Post Clapham riots local residents get serious about community cohesion In the wake of the Clapham Riots 15 local residents are training to become volunteer community mediators with Wandsworth Mediation Service.

Whilst many of us in our local community spend time complaining about the problems that led to the summer riots, 15 local people have decided to do something positive to benefit their neighbourhoods. These residents will all go through an intensive 35 hour mediation course and other related training, before giving up their evenings and weekends to bring peace to the community of Wandsworth.

Community mediators are the unsung heroes who make community cohesion happen. Imagine the following scenarios: neighbours who have hurled abuse at each other for so long they have forgotten how it all started – together agree on practical steps to build better relations. A couple in the midst of an acrimonious break up – reach a reasonable settlement that takes into account the needs of all parties. Community mediators spend time listening to people in conflict, before bringing them together to find an agreed solution for the future. It is a tough ask but their success rates speak for themselves.

The mediators will all volunteer their time through local charity, Wandsworth Mediation Service. Set up in 2003 the service operates with around 15 volunteers and just 2 members of part-time staff. They merit their success to their volunteers who, they explain, champion the cause of mediation and willingly give up precious free time to serve their local community.

The staff also praise Wandsworth Council, who recently awarded their first ever grant to the charity to enable them to train up more volunteers. Service Manager Joanna Price explains; “Wandsworth Council has obviously realised how important a mediation service is to community cohesion and have therefore agreed to help fund the training for new volunteers. After years of working away at this, we are delighted to have their support”.

There were around 3,443 crimes across London linked to the summer rioting and in Clapham, residents were shocked to see local businesses and shops fall victim to looting and criminal damage. In the face of such adversity it is encouraging to see our local community give their time to see disputes resolved in our streets and neighbourhoods. If you would like to know more about community mediation, or to give your time, please visit www.wandsworthmediation.co.uk.

396 words For immediate release.

Based on information supplied by Joanna Price.