Mediation Service received a grant from WCF’s High Sheriff Fund

Wyre Forest and South Worcestershire Nightstop and Mediation Service received a grant from WCF’s High Sheriff Fund at the end of Louise Hewett’s shrieval year.

The charity was awarded a grant of £3,000 from WCF’s High Sheriff Fund. They believe every young person deserves a safe place to sleep. Their services include providing homeless young people with emergency accommodation and mediation to resolve conflict and prevent family breakdown. The monies went towards the salary of a new mediator recruited to meet the increased demand for mediation. During the grant period of May/June 2024 they worked with 37 young people and 6 parent/carers. They also held a communication café at a local school where they supported 18 children aged 10 and 11.

CEO, Judith Ford said:

“The support from the High Sheriff Fund has been invaluable and has enabled us to meet the increasing demand for mediation from young people and their parent/carers. Mediation can help repair fractured relationships and prevent possible homelessness. Thank you.”

The experience of one family referred to Wyre Forest Nightstop demonstrates the impact of the mediation received.

‘K’ is neurodivergent, has mild learning difficulties and struggles to regulate his emotions. ‘N’ (K’s mum) said communication between her and ‘K’ was poor. She found it difficult to talk with him about house rules and boundaries because it may trigger him to respond in an aggressive manner. ‘K’ said that they don’t communicate and he finds it difficult to tell his mum how he’s feeling. Both said they would like to improve communication between them and after mediation mum said: “Mediation was really helpful. It gave me lots of ideas to help me communicate better with my son”. ‘K’ also said: “Mediation helped us to talk more.”

To learn more about Wyre Forest and South Worcestershire Nightstop and Mediation Service go to: https://www.wyreforestnightstop.org.uk/.

To see information about the High Sheriff Fund in this shrieval year go to: https://www.worcscf.org.uk/appeals/the-high-sheriffs-fund/.

For more information on the current High Sheriff go to: https://highsheriffs.com/worcestershire/.