What is LAMP? (Lewisham Action on Mediation Project)
- A free and confidential accredited service available to the people of Lewisham.
- A service designed to help people who are having problems with their neighbours.
- An independent charity run by a volunteer management group.
What is mediation?
A way of helping people to solve their own problems with the help of trained volunteer mediators. A service that lets you talk about your problems. A service that listens to your problems.
What kind of problems can mediation help with?
- Noise
- Children
- Rubbish
- Damage to property
- Dogs and other pets
- Boundary disputes
- Harassment
What is a mediator?
Mediators are volunteers who have been trained to help you sort out problems with your neighbours. They come from your community and all kinds of different backgrounds.
- They will not take sides.
- They will not judge you.
- They will not tell you what to do.
- They will help you and your neighbour come to an agreement that you can both live with.
How do I get help from LAMP?
Step 1
Ring us up or write to us. Tell us what the problem is. With your consent we will contact the person you are having difficulty with.
Step 2
We will send two volunteer mediators to visit you in your home to listen to the problem in more detail. We will then visit the other party in their home and listen to how they see things and explain mediation to them.
Step 3
If you both agree to try mediation, we will arrange a session at a convenient time and place close to where you live.
Does Mediation work?
Yes. But only if both parties are willing to give it a try. No one will force you to do anything you don’t want to and you can back out of the process if you want to.
What happens in mediation?
Step 1
The mediators will introduce everyone and explain how the mediation session runs. You and your neighbours will be asked if either of you would like to set any ground rules.
Step 2
Both you and your neighbour will have the chance to explain the problem.
Step 3
The mediators will help to talk about how the problem may be solved. We understand that people may be angry, upset, worried or frightened. Part of their job is to ensure safety and make sure things do not get out of control.
Step 4
By the end of the session, which lasts from 1.5-2.5 hours, both you and your neighbour should have arrived at some agreement or arrangements that you are both happy with. You will be sent a copy of what you have agreed. Remember – all agreements are voluntary, this will not be a legally binding document.
Step 5
We will keep in touch with you both over a period of three months to see if the agreement is working. Both parties may contact us at any time during this period.
If you want to know more about mediation contact:
LAMP Office
Old Fire Station
340 Lewisham High Street
London
SE13 6LE
Tel: 020 86900760 /1133
Fax: 020 8690 1133
lampmediation@hotmail.com
