OUR VALUES
EMPATHY
We see other people’s points of view, even if we don’t agree with them
TAKING A RESTORATIVE APPROACH Thanks to a successful first year 1625 Independent People’s Restorative Approaches project has been awarded £27,500 continuation funding from Avon and Somerset’s Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens. The project has been so successful it is being rolled out through our other young people services and the hope is it can be used as a national model for conflict resolution in other supported housing settings. Scott, a young person we have supported, used the Restorative Approaches service and says it helped him to form better relationships with fellow residents and to prevent situations from escalating. Here he explains how “Shuttle Mediation” – a restorative technique used when two parties need a go between to help them communicate - helped him develop greater cultural awareness when things got a bit tricky with some other residents at the hostel. “Having the Restorative Approaches Advisor there stopped things escalating because he could act like a go between for us and make sure there were no
crossed wires. It helps to understand the other person; he helped us see it from the other point of view. We had a great conversation about cultural differences. It was like a light bulb moment. So now if I was in the same position, I wouldn’t react the same. We agreed to put our differences aside and everything’s been fine since. I know how to deal with stuff better now than I did this time last year. I can communicate with people on a level so they understand me and I’ve learnt a lot about how to respect other people. It’s been like a domino effect as well, I was able to share what I’d learnt with other people living here. When there was someone kicking off at the hostel, I said to him, ‘come on mate this is our home.’ And he stopped. It made him stop and think. It’s like that saying, the word and the pen are mightier than the sword. Talking is the best weapon. “
“The restorative approaches service provided by 1625ip, enabling young people to resolve issues, giving them a place of safety and helping them form strong and safe relationships, is vital.”
Sue Mountstevens, Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner 13