In a small row of terraced houses, a young couple with two young children moved into the middle house. The older neighbours complained about the noise from both inside and outside the house. When West Kent Mediation facilitated a joint mediation meeting the whole terrace attended.

It transpired that before the young family moved in, the Housing Association had removed all the carpets leaving the house with bare floorboards. This made quiet living almost impossible for the young family.

The mother became very upset as the meeting progressed and said she no longer felt comfortable in her own home and that it was impossible to control the noise. While listening to her, the neighbours gradually became more sympathetic and suggested some solutions to overcome this. A local MP who was also in attendance offered to get carpets laid for the young couple and, by the end of the meeting, everyone was talking to each other and feeling positive.

The meeting ended with some of the neighbours offering to babysit and the small row of terraced houses became a close-knit and friendly community.

Many people find it very difficult to knock on a neighbour’s door to discuss problems politely and simply don’t know where to start. Mediation helps people to have constructive, respectful discussions and aims to find a positive outcome for everyone involved.