► Mediation Service

The advice team offers a mediation service to students if you find yourself unable to resolve a situation of conflict in your academic life.

Examples of where we can assist you include disputes with classmates, tutors, or staff, or situations occuring in Halls of Residence.

Benefits of mediation

It allows people to be heard. In many cases, a simple apology from either or both sides is all that is required to put the situation right.

It is an empowering process that encourages you to put forward your own suggestions and ideas.

It is less intimidating than legal procedures, and you can represent yourself rather than having someone speak for you.

It provides solutions that parties have decided on, giving you all a sense of ownership of any agreement. As a result, agreements reached in this way are much better than solutions handed down by courts or an arbitrator.

It can be organised quickly. When disagreements are not addressed, they can escalate. Mediation is easy to arrange and can be completed within weeks.

Talking through a situation with an independent mediator can help in a number of different ways.

It allows someone a chance to tell their side of the story - being listened to can make you feel feel supported.

It allows you to admit how upset you are - many people cope with conflict by pretending they do not care.

It makes you feel in charge again - ignoring situations or not addressing conflict can become very frightening. Talking to a mediator can be the first step on the ladder of dealing with their dillficulties.

It could help you decide on what course of action you want to take next, even if that is not mediation.

For further details or to arrange a mediation please contact Sam at the Students' Union on 0207 514 6270.