Thanet Mediation Centre

TMC

Case Studies

  • 01843500065
  • mediation@thewayfindersgroup.com

Community Mediation Case Study

The Problem

Mary*, a 78-year-old widow living alone in a council flat, was struggling with repairs that weren’t being fixed. She had poor eyesight and mobility problems, making it hard for her to deal with the damp walls, broken heating, and steps she couldn’t manage safely. After months of phone calls and letters to Thanet District Council with little progress, Mary felt forgotten and upset. Council staff thought Mary was being difficult when she was actually just desperate for help. Communication had completely broken down and Mary was at her wits end. The council had brought a claim against Mary and the purpose of the mediation was to address the conflict.

How Mediation Helped

Actually, TDC approached Thanet Mediation Centre. Our mediator met with the team at TDC instructing us over the phone and then had several calls with Mary. We then met separately with the council housing team. Everyone then came together for a meeting at The Corner in Ramsgate. In this calm, neutral space, our mediators helped Mary (who brought her assistance dog) explain how hard daily life had become. The council staff had a chance to explain their repair system and why there had been delays.

The Results

By the end of the mediation:
  • The council was able to communicate what they needed from Mary
  • Mary was able to communicate what had not been addressed
  • The group were able to consider precedents that applied to Mary’s case
  • Mary knew who at the council to contact directly
  • The council agreed to assess what other help Mary might need

What Changed

We worked hard to find a solution that worked for everyone. We reestablished communication between the council and the tenant. Instead of ending up in a costly and stressful court case, both Mary and TDC went away from the mediation knowing what needed to happen next.

Intergenerational Mediation Case Study

The Situation

Sarah* and Michael* were no longer together after eight years in a relationship. They have two children aged 6 and 8. Sarah had overcome her own addiction three years ago and now had full custody of their children. Michael was still struggling with addiction issues, making contact arrangements difficult and inconsistent.

The situation became more complicated when Michael’s father passed away suddenly. Despite being estranged from his parents due to his addiction, the loss hit Michael hard. Michael’s mother, Jean, reached out to Sarah hoping to rebuild family connections and support her son through his grief while ensuring the grandchildren remained part of her life.

With emotions running high and trust at a low point, Sarah contacted Thanet Mediation Centre for help in establishing clear boundaries for contact that would protect the children while respecting everyone’s needs.

The Mediation Process

Our mediators met separately with each person first:
  • Sarah expressed concerns about Michael's reliability and the impact of his addiction on the children
  • Michael shared his grief over his father's death and his desire to be a better parent
  • Jean explained her hope to support her son's recovery while maintaining a relationship with her grandchildren
The joint mediation session took place at The Corner in Ramsgate. Initially, tensions were high, with Sarah reluctant to allow unsupervised contact and Jean feeling defensive and being stuck between a rock and a hard place not seeing the kids. Our mediators created a safe space for all parties to express their worries and hopes, keeping the focus on what was best for the children.

The Outcome

Through guided conversation, the family agreed on:
  • A step-by-step contact plan starting with supervised visits
  • Clear rules about Michael being sober during all contact times
  • A communication system where Michael would confirm arrangements with Sarah
  • Agreement that Michael would continue his sobriety
  • Special arrangements for birthdays and holidays
  • Recognition of warning signs that would pause the arrangement

The Impact

  • The children resumed regular, predictable time with their father and grandmother
  • Michael had additional motivation to maintain his recovery
  • Sarah felt less anxious knowing there were clear boundaries in place
  • The children benefited from consistency and safety in family relationships
“What truly distinguished Leah's approach was her exceptional listening ability and incisive questioning technique that effectively drew out background context and key issues”.
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“Leah created a foundation for meaningful resolution and helped us reopen dialogue where relationships had broken down.”
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“Our mediators had a remarkable ability to synthesise diverse viewpoints while maintaining focus on relevant issues that led to outcomes all parties could embrace.”
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Thanet Mediation Centre is owned and run by ClearPaths WayFinders CIC (#15931501) 42A High Street, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1JT