Ashford Mediation Service steps up conflict resolution support aimed at young people and families

The Ashford Mediation Service (AMS) has been awarded a grant by the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner’s Fund to increase the targeting of its services to young people and also families living in deprived communities in the borough.

Launching the latest phase of its Keep Ashford Talking campaign, AMS says that as life returns to a ‘new normal’ after the pandemic, tensions within families and between neighbours have become much more prevalent.

Chair of Trustees Sue Pitt said: “As a service, we are seeing far more issues between parents on child contact; neighbourhood disputes have increased, and intergenerational conflict has become more intense.”

A registered charity, the Ashford Mediation Service was incorporated in 1997 with a goal to help prevent the escalation of conflict in Ashford and by doing so, reduces the need for further intervention by Kent Police, social services and other resource-stretched agencies.

Tackling conflict at an early stage can also help to prevent the breakdown in relationships and to reduce issues with mental health and wellbeing, homelessness, and crime. 

Free at the point of access to residents of Ashford Borough Council, AMS helps to facilitate the resolution of conflict between neighbours over noise, boundary and anti-social behavioural issues, intergenerational conflict, child arrangements, workplace disputes and disputes between youth.

Acknowledging that you need help and taking the first step to finding it is often the hardest part, and AMS is there to support you.

Target audiences

Using funds provided by the Kent PCC, the latest phase of the Keep Ashford Talking project will focus on two specific audiences – ‘disaffected’ young people within a school or community setting, and also families who live in the more deprived neighbourhoods of Ashford.

The aim is to create awareness that AMS is freely available to all to address anti- social behaviour, noise nuisance, boundary issues, parking issues and intergenerational issues.

Disaffected youth

AMS has identified that although many notable programmes exist for young people in the community, the missing link is providing them with the skill set and capability to know how to mediate and negotiate themselves.

Sue Pitt said: “We propose a pilot project within several local schools and youth community groups. We will provide youth mediation training and make full use of videos for social media platforms for young people. Our aim is to equip staff, mentors and young people with basic mediation and negotiation skills which can be used should they find themselves in a dispute or in conflict.

“We have identified potential partner schools and youth groups with which we can collaborate. We will measure the impact of this programme through the numbers we are able to contact and influence and will amend our approach for a full roll-out.” 

Families in deprived communities

AMS understands from Kent Police, social services and Ashford Borough Council’s Housing service that there are a disproportionate number of anti-social behaviour incidents, conflicts, and disputes in specific areas of the town.

AMS project aims to work closely with community leaders to support individuals in resolving their differences before they escalate and require further intervention by the police.

Sue Pitt added: “By raising awareness of the fact that free mediation services are accessible we hope to actively engage members of the community to choose mediation services as a tool to avoid and resolve escalating conflict.

“We will do this through a local press campaign, with local shopkeepers, with household leaflets, and church and community leaders. We will also work with local service teams such as our Council housing officer colleagues in the area.”

About Ashford Mediation Service

• The Ashford Meditation Service works with a range of partners including Ashford Borough Council, Kent Police, Relate, Citizen’s Advice, Victim Support, Restorative Justice, Ashford Volunteer Centre and many more local organisations, all designed to work with individuals and community groups to create a more harmonious living environment for all who work and live in the borough and beyond.

For more information visit Ashford Mediation online or contact them directly at info@ashfordmediation.co.uk