Getting people to talk to each other again

Volunteering

All Smile’s mediators are volunteers who have completed our College of Mediators accredited mediation skills training course – the equivalent of NVQ Level 3 standard. Smile is committed to maintaining professional excellence in the services that our mediators provide and this is underpinned by a support structure which provides mediators with regular opportunities for support and supervision, new and refresher training and personal development. Smile currently has an active ‘pool’ of over 40 fully-trained mediators.

We also have opportunities for office based volunteers and have helped some of our volunteers go on to find employment, having provided the opportunity for them to gain new skills and confidence whilst volunteering for Smile.

“Thank you all for making my volunteer experience so enjoyable.  Without Smile’s volunteer programme I would never have gained the skills and knowledge which have given me not just confidence, but the practical experience which will continue to serve me in my future endeavours”

Internship project: Smile is working with UCLan to offer three volunteer roles during the summer holidays with a view to a full-time paid trainee position following two successful periods of volunteering. This opportunity is being offered in partnership with Freshfields and Coldwell.

Huge thank you to the Big Lottery Fund who have ensured continuous, advanced training, for our current mediators through our “Develop, Deliver, Discover – creative ways to resolve conflict” project!

www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/