Family Mediation Week encourages peaceful resolutions for separating couples in the UK.
- The initiative highlights increased relationship breakdowns post-Christmas.
- Sarah Manning endorses mediation for collaborative decision-making.
- Awareness raised about children’s needs during family separations.
- Educational materials distributed to assist teachers and families.
This year’s Family Mediation Week, running from 22nd to 26th January, seeks to transform how separating parents manage post-relationship arrangements. As the festive season concludes, many families face heightened tensions, often resulting in a surge of separations.
Sarah Manning, chair of Family Mediation Week, emphasises the importance of mediation as a constructive alternative to courtroom disputes. She advocates for separating couples to engage in mediation as a means to jointly shape their financial and parenting plans. “Family mediation can empower couples to take control and secure a positive future for their family,” Manning adds.
The event recognises the adverse effects of financial and emotional pressures experienced during holidays on family stability. Manning points out that parents often emerge from this period feeling overwhelmed, thus benefiting from mediation as it offers clarity on property, parenting, and financial arrangements.
A noteworthy initiative this year is Hall Brown Family Law’s commitment to spreading mediation benefits to educators. By providing ‘Split Survival Kit, 10 Steps for Coping with Your Parents’ Separation’ to schools, they aim to support both teachers and children. This resource, co-authored by child psychologist Angharad Rudkin and children’s author Ruth Fitzgerald, is designed to assist children navigating their parents’ separation.
Ultimately, Family Mediation Week aspires to bridge communication gaps among family members, equipping them with the necessary tools to resolve conflicts amicably.
Family Mediation Week is instrumental in promoting dialogue and understanding, helping families navigate separations constructively.
