Accredited Interpersonal Mediator

A calmer, more respectful way through conflict.

I help individuals and organisations work through difficult situations constructively so people feel heard, relationships can recover, and everyone can move forward. Available face to face across Yorkshire and beyond, or online wherever you are.

No-obligation introductory call · Trained by UK Mediation · DBS checked · Public liability insured

Laura Strickland, accredited interpersonal mediator in Skipton, North Yorkshire
Accredited Mediator

Completely impartial

Both parties have an equal say. My role is to make sure everyone is heard and never to take sides.

Confidential & voluntary

Mediation is entered into freely by both people, and discussions stay in the room.

Time-bound & cost-aware

Issues do not drag on. A clear, contained process keeps stress (and costs) to a minimum.

About Laura

People-centred support, built on real lived experience.

Qualifications

  • AIM Level 4 Award in Interpersonal Mediation - UK Mediation
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Law
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice
  • Emotional Intelligence (EQi 2.0) Certified Practitioner
  • City & Guilds Teaching Certificate (7307 Stage 1)
  • ILM Management Level 5
  • BA (Hons) English Literature & Theology
  • MA Creative Writing

Professional standards

  • Basic DBS check
  • Public Liability Insurance
  • Accredited by UK Mediation
  • Works to UK Mediation's Code of Practice

I'm an accredited interpersonal mediator, trained by UK Mediation and based in Yorkshire. I support individuals and organisations to work through conflict in a constructive and respectful way. Although I have a number of years' experience in senior management and HR roles, I can offer mediation in community and family settings where individuals are struggling to maintain positive relationships.

My professional background spans housing support and management, learning and development, legal publishing, social care, HR, and board-level trustee work. That breadth of experience gives me a genuine insight into how and why conflict arises, and how people-centred solutions can benefit everyone involved.

Alongside my career I am a mum and carer to my son, who has additional needs. This lived experience has given me firsthand understanding of how hard it can be to balance work with caring responsibilities, and how easily pressure can escalate into conflict without the right support. It's also deepened my insight into how neurodivergence can shape communication and relationships, and how often needs and behaviours are misunderstood, at home and at work.

My interest in mediation comes from seeing, first hand, the toll unresolved conflict takes on people. Conflict at work, in housing, or elsewhere can be draining and long-lasting - affecting health, wellbeing, work and family life. For organisations, it often means prolonged grievance, disciplinary and absence processes that are costly and divert energy away from the work that matters.

Whatever setting you're coming from - workplace, neighbourhood, education or otherwise - please feel free to get in touch for a no-obligation conversation about how I might support you or your organisation to move forward and thrive.

A man talking with a mediator taking notes during a calm one-to-one session
Whatever the conflict - at work, at home or in the community - mediation is a space for everyone to be heard.
Services

Mediation that meets you where you are.

My preference is always face-to-face mediation, wherever it's practical - being in the same space tends to make for the most open, honest conversations. Online mediation is available too, so distance is never a barrier to getting the right support.

Preferred

Face-to-face mediation

Wherever possible we sit together so the conversation can be open and direct. If that feels too much at first, I can "shuttle" between separate rooms until everyone's ready. My job is to make sure each person feels safe to take part throughout.

Available

Online mediation

The same calm, structured process - delivered securely over video. Ideal when the parties are in different places, travel is difficult, or it simply feels more comfortable. You'll get the full mediation experience without anyone needing to be in the same building.

What I can help with

Mediation works across a wide range of situations. A few of the most common:

Workplace - team issues, personality clashes, miscommunication, management style Neighbour disputes Housing - landlord & tenant, rent arrears, maintenance and repairs Health - conflict between patient and health provider Family disputes Governance - conflict between board trustees Education - further & higher education settings

Not sure if mediation is right for your situation? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation call.

Beyond mediation

I also offer HR consultancy (employee relations, equality & diversity, sickness absence management, etc.), learning and development (e.g. leadership, team dynamics, communication, mediation skills etc.) and coaching for leaders (particularly those new to leadership).

Discuss your needs
How it works

A clear, supportive process - start to finish.

01

Free intro call

A no-obligation 20-minute conversation to talk through your situation and whether mediation is the right fit.

02

Preparation

Individual meetings with each participant, and time to prepare before the session.

03

The session

Usually up to a full day with breaks, together where possible, or in separate rooms with me shuttling between you.

04

Agreement & review

Any agreement is written up to sign, followed by a half-hour review at three months to see how things are going.

For a full walk-through of what to expect on the day: Read the Guide for Participants
Fees

Simple, fixed pricing - no surprises.

Mediation is charged as one clear fixed fee covering the whole process. The initial introductory call is always free.

Full mediation · fixed fee
£750 fixed fee

Everything you need for a complete mediation, from first contact to follow-up review.

  • Initial meeting with each participant & full preparation time
  • A full day of mediation (e.g. 10am-5pm, including breaks)
  • Any agreement written up for participants to sign
  • Half-hour review at three months

Initial enquiry

Free - a 20-minute, no-obligation call to explore whether mediation is right for you.

Additional costs

  • Travel at 45p per mile, or train travel refunded
  • Overnight stays (if required) discussed separately
  • If a session runs to a second day: £50 per hour
  • Optional feedback report to referrer: £150

Cancellation policy

  • Within 24 hours: no refund
  • Within 5 days: 50% refund
  • More than 5 days: 80% refund

The feedback report gives the referrer a general overview and recommendations to avoid future conflict - it never includes the specific details discussed by participants, which always remain confidential. I'll always do my best to resolve matters within a single day.

FAQs

Your questions, answered.

What types of issues can you help with?+
I cover a wide variety of concerns where mediation can be effective in providing a neutral space and supportive environment to find a way forward. Here are some examples of the types of situations that I can help with:
  • Workplace - e.g. conflict between a manager and a colleague relating to working styles; issues between team members that could lead to a grievance
  • Neighbour disputes - e.g. parking and access issues or concerns about loud music
  • Health - e.g. misunderstanding between a GP and patient in terms of communication style or how a complaint was handled
  • Housing - e.g. conflict between a tenant and landlord or housing provider concerning rent arrears, maintenance or repairs
  • Family - e.g. estrangement between parents and young people or disagreement about how an older parent should be cared for. Families can disagree over many things and may find it hard to step outside of their roles to see a different perspective on things which matter deeply to everyone concerned.
  • Governance - e.g. where trustees are struggling to work positively for the benefit of the organisation, perhaps because they don't understand each other's skill sets and how these can work together.
  • Education - e.g. where there are initial fitness to practice concerns for a nursing or medical student; personality clashes between students and/or staff
If you're unsure whether mediation is the right option for your situation, please get in touch for a no-obligation call.
Is mediation voluntary?+
Yes - both parties must agree to enter into mediation, and no one can be forced to take part. It's worth remembering that one of mediation's advantages is that it's time-bound: issues don't drag on and add to an already stressful situation, and costs are kept to a minimum.
Will you offer solutions to the conflict?+
My role is to support you to come up with your own solutions. If I tell people what they should do, they're far less likely to see a lasting improvement in their relationships.
Do you take sides?+
My role is completely impartial. Both parties can be reassured that they'll have an equal say in the process, and that I'll make sure everyone is heard. It is important to remember that although I will speak to each party separately before the mediation starts, I will not divulge to the other party what has been said. Each party will go into the process reassured that I will not sway anyone to agree with the other side or put my own views forward. Your views and solutions matter more than my opinion on the situation.
Will I have to be in the same room as the other person?+
Wherever possible it's useful to be in the same room so we can have open conversations about the issues causing the conflict. However, people can also be in separate rooms with me "shuttling" between you. We can also hold mediation online if you'd prefer. Either way, it's my role to make sure everyone feels safe to participate throughout.
Do I have to reach an agreement at the end?+
It's beneficial if parties can agree how they'll work better together in future, where possible - but it isn't compulsory. Mediation can lead to increased understanding which moves things on, even if you cannot reach agreement.
How long does a mediation session last?+
I aim for us to work through the issues that are causing conflict over one focused and structured day, because I do not want to add to the anxiety people are experiencing. In some circumstances we may need to continue into a second day, but I will try to avoid this.
Where will the mediation take place?+
We can discuss if you prefer online or face to face. If you are being referred by your organisation or landlord, for example, then they will arrange a suitable venue. Wherever possible it is better if this is a neutral place so that each party feels they have an equal footing in the process. We can discuss together the venue and the options of face to face or online. Please note that arranging and paying for a suitable venue, where one is required, is the responsibility of the individual or organisation.
Kind words

What people say.

Her calm presence, patience and genuine care for helping others find common ground stand out most. She listens without judgment, communicates with empathy, and guides conversations so everyone feels valued and understood - approaching conflict resolution with both wisdom and heart.
Jo Carnachan
Jo Carnachan
Former HR Director
Laura is one of the most engaging trainers and coaches I have ever come across. She has a calm and caring approach that brings out the best in people, enabling them to recognise their strengths while identifying opportunities to adapt and grow. An excellent storyteller, she brings real-life scenarios to life, making learning both relatable and reflective, and creates a safe environment where people feel encouraged to think differently and challenge themselves. What stands out most is her ability to help people realise things they hadn't considered before - opening up new perspectives and building confidence in their own ability. I would highly recommend Laura to anyone looking for a trainer or coach who genuinely inspires growth.
Alexandra Greenwood
Alexandra Greenwood
Senior People Business Partner
I have known Laura for many years and worked with her across a range of people-focused areas. She is a complete professional with exceptionally strong boundaries, committed to achieving the very best outcomes for everyone she works with. She consistently creates a safe space where people feel comfortable speaking openly and engaging meaningfully. Her values are unwavering and reflect the core of who she is. I highly recommend her.
Teri Stephenson
Teri Stephenson
CEO, Age UK Lancashire
Laura has the best people skills of anyone I know. She combines total professionalism with real warmth and a strong sense of fairness, which leads to high levels of trust from colleagues, even in difficult circumstances. I worked alongside her for five years and relied on her careful analysis on many occasions. She never let me down.
Maggie Jones
Maggie Jones
Retired Charity CEO
Get in touch

Let's have a conversation.

The best place to start is a free, no-obligation 20-minute call. There's no pressure - just a chance to talk things through and see whether mediation could help.

Book your free intro call

Pick a time that suits you and we'll have a relaxed, confidential chat about your situation. The free introductory call is held by phone or online video only (not face to face).

Schedule 20-minute call
Based in
Yorkshire · can travel anywhere nationwide, subject to travel costs

How we'll meet

Whichever feels right for you and the people involved.

Face to face

In person - my preferred approach.

Online

Secure video sessions, wherever you are.

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