Welcome to Family Mediation Worcestershire

Family Mediation Worcestershire (FMW) is an independent registered charity which has been providing family mediation in Worcestershire since 1991. FMW is affiliated to National Family Mediation (NFM) which represents a network of not-for-profit providers of family mediation in England & Wales.

FMW has two prime objectives: to help children to keep in regular contact with their parents, grandparents and other family members following the breakdown of their parents’ relationship; and to help parents remain actively and positively involved in their children’s lives even though they are living apart.

It is so easy for parents who are going through the distress and upheaval of separation and divorce to lose sight of their children’s needs and feelings. However, research has shown that children who experience real conflict between their parents are acutely affected by the uncertainty of their family’s changing circumstances.

Family mediation is a process that enables parents to meet together with an impartial third party, whose role is to help them work together to resolve all the practical arrangements arising from their separation. This might include where the children will live, how often they see the other parent (and other significant family members), how to manage holidays, as well as financial and property matters. The mediator can help overcome communication barriers so couples are better able to talk together about the issues that need to be resolved. Mediation is entirely voluntary and matters discussed in mediation are confidential (unless there are concerns about risk of serious harm, particularly to a child). This way couples are empowered to reach their own agreements, and these have been shown to have a much greater chance of long term success than arrangements imposed by a Court.

Family mediation is a process that can be applied to many other areas of conflict, and FMW also works with families who are experiencing a breakdown of communication between young people (aged 10 to 17) and their parents. Mediators can help families to repair and improve relationships within the family, and learn how to deal with conflict constructively – leading to a range of positive outcomes such as improved self esteem, confidence, school achievement and parenting skills.

One step at a time..

This website aims to provide all the information you need to help you decide whether mediation is right for you and your family. Use the links on the left hand side to read more and if you want to ask any questions simply pick up the phone (01905 610925) or email us in confidence for further information - we'll try our best to help you!

Your questions answered

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