On Friday, 11th October 2024, Smile Mediation hosted a conference at Burnley Youth Theatre, bringing together experts and practitioners to explore innovative approaches to building peaceful communities. The event, titled “Working Together to Build Peaceful Communities,” attracted a range of attendees, including housing officers, community leaders, and mediation professionals.
The conference was especially significant as it marked the final project for Ella, our business administration apprentice, who took on the mammoth task of organising every aspect of the event. Her hard work and attention to detail did not go unnoticed, and she was met with well-deserved applause from attendees and colleagues alike.
The venue, Burnley Youth Theatre, provided an ideal setting, receiving numerous compliments for its welcoming atmosphere and excellent facilities.
The day featured an impressive lineup of speakers, each bringing unique perspectives on conflict resolution and community building:
- Chris Keene opened the event with a compelling presentation on the 1992 Burnley riots and the strategies that helped rebuild the local community in the aftermath.
- Holly Bonfield followed with a workshop on conflict coaching, encouraging attendees to reflect on how mediators and practitioners can enhance their approach to conflict resolution.
- Chris Breedon provided an insightful session on his experiences of mediation in the Military, offering a fascinating look at how conflict is managed in high-pressure environments.
- After a delicious lunch catered by Sandy’s in Burnley, which received many compliments, Catherine Dobson led a workshop on wellbeing in communities, exploring the essential links between mental health and conflict prevention.
- The day concluded with Rebecca Bryant, who discussed approaches to anti-social behaviour (ASB) and how we can work towards more peaceful communities through preventative, non-punitive measures.
The event ended with a panel discussion, where the audience had the opportunity to engage with the speakers on a range of topics, sparking thoughtful debates and generating new ideas for collaboration.
Sarah, Head of Operations and Business Development at Smile Mediation, commented:
“We are extremely proud of the success of this year’s conference. It has been a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the impact of mediation in our communities, while also looking forward to new strategies and approaches for conflict resolution. A huge thank you to all our speakers, attendees, and the Smile team for their hard work and dedication.”
Smile Mediation would also like to extend a special thanks to Ella, who has worked tirelessly on every aspect of the event’s planning and execution. This conference was a great achievement for her apprenticeship, and we are excited to see her continue to thrive in her career.
With over 50 attendees, the Smile Mediation Conference 2024 was a resounding success, reinforcing our commitment to supporting communities through mediation and conflict resolution.