News

Leap unites young people to create a movement for change

Wednesday 4th November 2009

Trained peer mediators come together to combat conflict in schools and the local community

Leap Confronting Conflict (Leap), a UK specialist in youth and conflict, today brought together over 65 trained young mediators from across London to share their experiences of preventing conflict, bullying and violence in their local schools and communities.

The PeerLink event, ‘Peer Power! Working together to make a change’, saw experienced peer mediators from schools across London descend upon the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham to participate in a day of activities focussed on promoting young people’s conflict prevention and resolution skills. Year 10 pupils from 3 schools in Waltham Forest (Leytonstone School, Lammas School and Sports College and George Mitchell School) who have received training through Leap over the past year, joined other young mediators from Dagenham Park School for a series of workshops aimed at developing their skills in dealing with fights and arguments and exploring how they can work together to make a positive change in their school and in the community.

The young people shared tips and tools based on their own experiences of diffusing conflicts and also explored ways to use their skills with friends and family. There was also a screening of Leap’s ‘On the Spot Mediation’ film, games led by young PeerLink volunteers as well as demonstrations from all of the schools providing examples and case studies of how young people have worked to tackle conflict and bullying in their school.

PeerLink is Leap’s support project for young volunteers involved in conflict resolution and peer mediation. Set up in 2006 and run by young volunteers, the project offers resources, training and events and now has over 1,500 network members from a variety of backgrounds and different parts of the country who can get support, learn new skills and share resources.

Jennifer Rogers, Chief Executive of Leap today commented: ‚It is fantastic to be able to unite such a talented group of experienced mediators from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It is important for Leap to showcase that young people are the solution and not a problem. I have everyconfidence that these young people can help create a legacy of peace for us all and I hope they will continue to inspire and lead others in preventing violence in their schools.?

Ends

For further information, please contact:
Elly Gilbert 020 7561 3718 elly.gilbert@leapconfrontingconflict.org.uk

Notes to Editors
Leap Confronting Conflict (Leap) has a track record of 22 years development of innovative youth programmes that work with young people and youth practitioners to prevent and manage violence and transform challenging and anti-social behaviour. Leap has the explicit vision that conflict resolution skills and understanding should be located within all informal and formal programmes for young people in the UK.