News & Events
Changes to how the Family Court works…
A new Practice Direction came into force on the 6th April 2011. With minor exceptions, the Pre-application Protocol requires all applicants wanting a court order in the family court to consider at a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) whether the dispute could be resolved through mediation.
The court will also expect people to have attended a MIAM and will want to know whether mediation has been considered. So, if you make an application to the court, you will have to file a completed Family Mediation Information and Assessment Form (Form FM1) together with your application. Unless you (or your solicitor) has claimed an exemption, the form must be signed by a certified mediator, confirming that you have attended a MIAM or that mediation is not suitable.
mediationplus will make no charge for any MIAM/Intake and Assessment meeting. Instead, where mediation does not go ahead and an FM1 form is required, a charge of £80 + VAT will be made for providing the form. However, if you are assessed as eligible for legally aided mediation, the charge for providing Form FM1 will be waived. The charge for providing the form will also be waived where mediation goes ahead but proves unsuccessful and an application to the Court is then required.
mediationplus is the only provider in the Swindon and north Wilts area able to provide legally aided (and therefore free) mediation to those who qualify.
Even More Important News:
mediationplus was the Lead Partner in a Swindon based Pilot to co-ordinate services for Separating and Separated Parents (CLASSP). Eighteen agencies took part. The CLASSP Pilot project came to an end on 31 March 2011. Since December 2009 when we started, we have provided services to over 600 families – adult, couples, family and child counselling; attendance at TAC meetings, 1:1 parenting support and parenting groups; advice about debt, benefits, housing, child care arrangements, divorce and legal issues; mediation for couples and for parents and teenagers.
Although we have been seeking other funding, at the present time we have no realistic prospect of being able to continue this level of service provision into 2011/12, and have therefore had to close down the CLASSP project. Many of the services that have been provided will continue to be available through other funding:
- The Citizens Advice Bureau will continue to offer free appointments and drop-in sessions to people needing advice and information
- The Law Centre will continue to offer free legal advice about debt, benefits, housing, immigration and employment issues to people eligible for Legal Aid
- mediationplus will continue to offer free counselling to children whose parents are separating or divorcing, and free mediation to teenagers and parents to help them resolve their differences.
- mediationplus will be able to offer some free sessions to divorcing or separating parents who are eligible for legal aid.
- Parenting programmes will still be available free through Relate and mediationplus for those parents ordered to attend them by the courts.
- On Trak will continue to provide free counselling to some young people.
However, the central co-ordinating role, the assessments and the intensive one-to-one support for parents provided by CLASSP ceased on 31 March. The funding we have been able to put into services to reduce waiting lists, increase capacity, enable them to develop new services or provide services free will end. This will mean that much of the counselling, mediation, legal advice and parenting courses that were provided free through CLASSP will now need to be paid for by the clients or from another source.
A Lottery application is being made that may mean we are able to reintroduce a reduced version of CLASSP in the future. For any general enquiries about CLASSP telephone 01793 527285.
New At-Court Mediation Service now available
Starting December 2010, mediationplus will be providing a free mediation service to the Swindon County Court on Family Court days. This is a six month pilot project and has been developed in close collaboration with the local Court Staff/CAFCASS team.
The scheme will operate in the following way. Where cases from the days list are identified by the District Judge and the Family Court Adviser as being potentially suitable for mediation, the parties will be offered the opportunity to meet with a mediator from mediationplus. The mediator will then see the parties on the same day on the Court premises. The mediation will last between 60 and 75 minutes, after which the parties will attend the hearing with the District Judge at which they will beable to report on the outcome of mediation. If matters have been resolved, the District Judge may then make a consent order or adjourn the case for further mediation should this be considered appropriate.
Contact us if you would like to know more at info@mediationplus.co.uk or on 01793 527285.
SUPERB FUNDRAISING EVENT
mediationplus held a hugely successful fundraising event last year. On Friday 29th October 2010 a wonderful dinner and an auction of promises was held for 110 people at Hartham Park, Corsham, in Wiltshire. The evening had entertainment and excellent food in a glorious setting.
The event raised over £6,500. In these times of recession this is a superb result. Fundraising events take time and energy to organise. The organisers were Maria Pitt, the wife of the Chair of the Trustees, Sir Mike Pitt, and Mike himself. The success of the evening was due to their skill, hard work and that of their supporters.
The evening was attended and supported by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sir John Bush, OBE JP and by Lady Hawley, both Patrons of mediationplus; the President, Hector McLean, CBE the majority of the Trustees, several Judges, many magistrates and the Chief Executive of Swindon Borough Council, Gavin Jones, to name but a few.
LORD LIEUTENANT CUTS THE CAKE (21 July 2010)
The agency’s new name mediationplus and new brand design was launched at the Annual General Meeting on 21st July 2010. The Lord Lieutenant, John Bush OBE JP attended the AGM, made presentations to staff and cut the cake with the new name mediationplus.
Over 45 people were at the AGM and the Chaiperson, Sir Mike Pitt was delighted to announce the name of the new President of mediationplus, Hector McLean. Hector had been the previous chair of the Trustees and his first official duty was to wheel the ceremonial cake forward.
Long service awards for 10 years service were made to Dave Clifford and Trudy Magness as Community Mediation volunteer mediators. The first Plus award was made to Sarah Hobson, a 5-18 Counselling Project counsellor for an exceptional contribution in 2009/10. Jan Weston received a CLASSP award for an outstanding contribution as a CLASSP advocate. (CLASSP stands for Co-ordinating Local Agencies for Separating and Separated Parents, and mediationplus is the lead partner for 18 organisations).
Later in the proceedings awards were made to the students who had designed the winning brands for mediationplus and for CLASSP – Rob Miszkowski and Jade-Ann Pawley. Their certificates were received by their College Tutor from Swindon College, Greg Rendell, who himself received an award.
QUEENS GARDEN PARTY (22 June 2010)
On behalf of Family Mediation (North Wiltshire), – and shortly before its name change – Wendy Hall, then Chief Executive, and Trevor Morkham, then Mediation Manager, attended the Queens Garden Party on 22nd June 2010. Wendy and Trevor were accompanied by their respective partners, Mark and Lin. All were impressed by the size of the garden, the dresses, the hats, the uniforms, the food, and the number of people – 8,000, all enjoying themselves on a beautifully warm summer’s day.
The Queen and members of the Royal Family were present during the afternoon and circulated amongst the guests. The organisation was honoured to have been invited.
OTHER RECENT FUNDING NEWS
Swindon Borough Council has awarded us a grant to support Connecting People, Connecting Places. The work of Community Mediation – promoting social cohesion by dealing with neighbour conflict has been recognised with £4000 for 2010/11.
We have a valuable grant from the Lloyds TSB foundation. We received the third and last payment of £10,000 in December 2010. This helps pay for our vital core costs – ie the part time costs of our Finance Manager, our Office Manager and Client Coordinators.
The Borough Lands Trust in Chippenham and Melksham Town Council support us so that we can see clients locally without them having to travel to Swindon.
richard angwin
Donations
We are always extremely grateful for any donations we receive – it all makes a difference. Please click on donate if you would like to donate.
Finally
We are very busy at present and seem to be an ever popular service – if you would like to to talk through your particular situation to see if we can help please contact us on 01793 527285.
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Previous Successful Fund Raising Events:
Saturday 10th October 2009
An enjoyable and successful fundraising event was held by the Broad Town Womens Institute. Richard Angwin, the BBC weatherman made a very entertaining and informative presentation about the history of weather and what its like to be in the media. An incredible £1200 was raised for the 5-18 Counselling Project to help children and their families.
Friday 6th March 2009
Rotary put on an exciting Question Time evening at Wragg Barn Golf Club in Highworth to raise funds for us.
The panel was an amazing list of people: Howard Taylor, GWR Radio Presenter, Eddie Shah, former national newspaper owner, Colonel Joseph Dill, USA Base Commander at RAF Fairford, Brian Moore, Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, and His Hon Judge Byron Carron.Tickets were £15, and included a Bangers and Mash supper. It was an extremely entertaining evening and £1000 was raised.
Monday 12th November 2008
Quiz Night at Moonrakers pub in Swindon
A great night was had by all. Nineteen teams attended and the quiz was won by the Rotary team. Over £1,000 was raised, no mean feat given that there was a credit crunch!
Monday 4th August 2008
The Bombay Lounge restaurant at Peatmore Village Centre in conjunction with the Link Magazine regularly offer charities the chance to raise money whilst enjoying a great curry. It was Family Mediation’s night on Monday 4th August 2008. It was an excellent and well attended evening, the food was great!
Tuesday 29th January 2008
Kit and the Widow at Swindon Arts Centre
This fantastic event raised almost £9,000! Thanks to Kit and the Widow for a superb evening. Thanks also to Lady Hawley and her Committee for all their hard work.
We are also very grateful to those organisations who support us…
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mediationplus formerly Family Mediation (North Wiltshire)
Registered Office: 34 Milton Road, Swindon SN1 5JA
Registered charity number: 1077743
A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales Number: 3771140
