About Mediation Hertfordshire

The History of Mediation Hertfordshire
Vision and Strategic Aims
Biographies
Video

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The History of Mediation Hertfordshire

Mediation Hertfordshire grew from two projects:

Mediation St Albans and Mediation Dacorum

It also supports peer mediation projects in a number of Hertfordshire schools. Referrals from other areas of Hertfordshire are also accepted.

Mediation St Albans was launched in September 2003 and was funded by The Community Legal Service and St Albans City and District Council. It is now fully funded by St Albans District Council.

Mediation Dacorum is well known for its work dealing with neighbour disputes in Hemel Hempstead, Tring & Berkhamsted and the villages, having successfully helped hundreds of disputing neighbours over the last ten years.

The organisation grew from a recognised need by the Housing and Environmental Health Officers of Dacorum Borough Council, who were spending increasingly more time dealing with neighbourhood disputes. The advantages of an independent mediation service were explored and it was soon seen to be an effective and constructive alternative.

Interested parties from the Council, police, local housing associations and the voluntary sector legally established themselves as a voluntary organisation, with an independent Management Committee, staff and team of volunteer mediators.

Mediation Hertfordshire is the name now used to reflect the organisation’s aim to develop its services throughout the county. It is registered as a non-profit making company under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965. Mediation Hertfordshire has charitable objectives and is run by a democratically elected Board. Membership is open to all who support the organisation’s aims.

Vision and Strategic Aims

Vision

We aim to provide the highest quality mediation service to the community in the county of Hertfordshire. We want this service to be available to all residents of Hertfordshire, and to have the capacity to accept referrals wherever assistance is required.

We work to the following values:

• Not for profit, independent and with charitable objectives
• Being accountable to a representative Management Committee
• Joining the community in cooperative partnerships
• Focusing on community cohesion
• Developing the service to include other areas of mediation
• Exploring ways of improving community safety

Strategic Aims

Over the lifetime of the organisation’s Business Plan, 2005-2010, Mediation Hertfordshire has identified 6 key strategic aims.

• Develop existing practice
• Strengthen the organisation
• Develop the mediator team
• Expand the service offered
• Build Mediation Hertfordshire’s profile
• Achieve financial viability

Each of these aims has a set of objectives attached to it, with target dates for completion. A full copy of the Business Plan is available on request from the office.

Biographies

Maria Kraithman – Manager

Maria joined the service as Manager in May 2004. She had previously worked in the voluntary sector in a number of roles: administration, community development, youth work, volunteer coordinator and policy officer for a national organisation. Most recently, she managed a Family Mediation Service for 5 years and trained originally as a family mediator.

Jackie Minter – Casework Co-ordinator

Jackie became our Casework Co-ordinator in May 2005. She had previously worked in Banking and wanted to make a career change where she would continue to work with the public and use her communication skills. She and Sarah are the main point of contact for clients, referral agencies and volunteer mediators. Both work part time, on alternate days, to provide cover over the working week.

Sarah Mack – Caseworker

Sarah joined the service as caseworker in August 2009.

10th Anniversary Video

Click here to view our 10th anniversary video online or download the full quality version to watch offline.

A CLS quality assured service