Lytham Festival Focus Group Feedback

“I think the meetings were chaired and facilitated very well. It’s a difficult task as the group can be very emotive. Thanks for providing your professional service for the focus groups. We will certainly look your way should the need arise in the future!”

– Ian Williamson – Head of Environmental and Housing Services, Fylde Borough Council

“All great from my perspective and great work in an emptive arena. All feedback from the group was positive. Thanks for coordinating the sessions and it was a delight to work with you.”

– Tim Dixon – Tourism and Cultural Services Managerm Fylde Borough Council

Training Feedback

“The training was interactive and kept me engaged. The trainers were lovely and really helpful, they made you feel comfortable and at ease. I felt like I had known them for ages.”

AS – Participant – EFL Programme

Training Feedback

“Looking at the ripple effect was really useful for me. The impact of what has been done and how we consider this. I thought when we put ourselves in the middle and looked at the consequences of our actions, I thought this was very impactful.”

PM – Participant – EFL Pilot

Smile Volunteer Mediator

 “I love your organisation, you know I do! Everyone is friendly and welcoming. I love the amount of training you offer and the variety of topics this is on. One thing I am really impressed by with SMILE is the fact that as a part time volunteer I feel I am part of the organisation. That’s not easy to achieve for organisations and you should be really proud of that”

Smile Volunteer Mediator

“I really enjoy being involved at Smile. I like the people I meet (staff and other mediators); I enjoy the Training Sessions, the Support Group sessions and, of course, the mediations. I have learnt a lot that has helped me to deal more effectively with conflict situations both at work and at home and I really value that”

ASB Apprenticeship Feedback

“Yesterday, I had to return a call which would normally make my heart sink.  I reminded myself to prepare for the call.  What am I calling about?  What do I already know?  So that I asked slightly different questions.  And the call was probably a lot more productive because of that.”

Mediation Feedback

“I felt like i was being listened to and not just seen as a problem.”

Mediation Customer

Stockport Homes

“Stockport Homes has worked with Smile mediation since April 2023 and referred over 20 cases, via a simply and easy to use, referral system to bring about long-term resolution for our customers.  We are extremely pleased and proud to be working with Smile who are professional, responsive and aim to provide the highest quality of mediation service with many customers feeling the issue is resolved and benefiting from conflict coaching or a form of mediation”

Lee Isherwood – Safer Neighbourhoods Manager

Mediation Customer

“You’ve done a great job! I didn’t really think that this meeting would be of any use but i feel that it’s really helped to be listened to and to think about other points of view.”

Manchester City Council

“In addition to community mediation, Smile delivers a confidential service to support our residents who might be struggling with how they are feeling about a difficult situation. We utilise this service for example when residents are reporting a noise problem but the type of noise or the investigation does not constitute asb nor a statutory nuisance. The resident may become dissatisfied with the service feeling overwhelmed about the situation and what can be done. This invaluable one to one service separates the noise or asb investigation from the support the resident needs. Following a referral Smile carefully plans for the difficult conversation with the resident and supports them to reflect and identify strategies to help themselves manage the situation moving forward. This service results in residents feeling valued and heard, improves customer satisfaction and frees up staff resource to concentrate on other asb cases.  This work has become a core part of our everyday business and supports us to deliver victim centred services.”

Sara Duckett