North County Durham & Tyneside
Mediation service set up for feuding neighbours
WARRING neighbours are being
offered help in settling their differences
through a new mediation
service.
Easington District Council,
East Durham Homes (EDH) and
Easington Community Safety
Partnership have joined forces to
run the service to stamp out
neighbourhood disputes.
It is hoped the scheme will also
help to reduce anti-social behaviour
across east Durham.
Pam Cox, EDH specialist support
manager, said: "Even the
smallest dispute between neighbours
can escalate into something
much bigger, and failure to
find a resolution can affect a person's
quality of life and even
place their home in jeopardy.
"With effective mediation,
however, it is possible to resolve
issues peacefully and effectively,
producing a win win outcome for
all those concerned."
EDH has previously used mediation
as a tool for dealing with
neighbourhood disagreements,
but this has been on a case-bycase
basis and has been limited
to disputes involving council tenants.
The new service, however, is
being provided through a yearlong
contract with independent
firm Unite and will give greater
scope for dealing with problems
involving residents from a range
of tenure.
Residents referred to the service
will be asked to attend mediation
sessions with their neighbour
and will be offered
information on other services
which may help resolve their
problems.
Already benefiting from the
service are neighbours Cheryl
O'Hara and Margaret Glenwright,
from Peterlee.
The pair live in neighbouring
council properties and were referred
to the service after Ms
Glenwright raised concerns
about a member of the O'Hara
family and some of his friends.
Following face-to-face sessions,
the women now receive regular
support from mediation representatives
and both believe the
action has made a dramatic difference
to their lives.
Ms Glenwright said: "The situation
was getting me down, but
the mediation has made a massive
difference."
Ms O'Hara agreed: "We are all
thinking a lot more positively
now."
Anyone wanting information
can call 0800-032-0835.
10:49am Thursday 8th May 2008
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