The A-Z of Mediation: Young Mediators

Posted on: January 13th, 2025

One of the questions we get the most from delegates who have completed The Interpersonal Mediation Practitioner’s Certificate (IMPC) is, ‘How do I go about finding cases?’

And, while UK Mediation does provide free lifetime support for all successful learners, there is, of course, still a gap between completing the course and taking on your first few cases.

So, for the benefit of ‘Young Mediators’ out there, here are our six top tips for building your mediation experience:


Find a niche

With so many established mediation providers out there, it can be hard for a freshly-qualified mediator to stake a claim in the market. However, if you have a unique background or skillset, or extensive knowledge or experience in a particular sector, this can really help to set you apart from the crowd.

We have seen tremendous success from those who have transitioned from backgrounds in the NHS, police forces, and even the film industry!


Use existing contacts

As part of their marketing initiative, we advise that learners get in touch with existing contacts or previous organisations that they’ve worked with to inform them of their new mediation service.

You would be surprised by just how many potential mediation cases are out there just waiting for a mediator and, if you have an existing relationship there, it may put you at the front of the queue.


Co-mediation

As part of our accredited mediation training course, we strongly recommend that delegates take the opportunity to network and share contact details with each other.

Joining up with another mediator on your first few cases can provide moral support to both mediators, as well as sharing the experience and helping to build both portfolios of work. This can also provide some nice opportunities for reflection post-case as well.


Volunteer

On the other hand, some qualified learners may prefer to jump out of their comfort zone straight away. To these, we recommend approaching local mediation providers in their area for volunteering or observation opportunities.

Many local providers, specifically those in community mediation, are often swamped with active cases of noise disturbances or neighbour fallouts, and regularly take on volunteers.


Join a mediation body

In addition to the accredited qualification you receive, there are many ways to boost credibility when promoting yourself as a mediator. For example, you could become a member of a professional body or organisation.

There are several options out there, and we recommend that learners take their time to shop around and explore what may be suitable for their requirements.


Get yourself out there!

At the end of the day, becoming a mediator is just like any other business – if you don’t put yourself out there and promote your services, work isn’t going to just turn up at your door!

So get yourself a website, create social media business pages, and maybe even do some good old-fashioned print campaigns – anything that can get you in front of potential customers.