Free Mediation Support for Pilot Organisations
22nd September 2026
A New Way to Navigate Difficult Conversations
Conflict and disagreement can arise for any organisation, no matter how committed the people involved are to a shared purpose.
Whether it’s a breakdown in communication among trustees, tensions between an organisation and the community it serves, challenges among volunteers, or disagreements involving management and governance, unresolved issues can affect wellbeing, productivity and organisational culture.
That’s why GCVS is developing a new mediation service for Scotland’s voluntary sector.
Impartial Support to Reach Practical Agreements
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process that helps people have constructive conversations, understand different perspectives, and work together towards practical agreements. Rather than focusing on who is right or wrong, mediation creates space for people to find a way forward that works for everyone involved.
Our team has undertaken specialist mediation training through the Scottish Community Mediation Centre and our approach is informed by recognised good practice in Scotland.
Effective mediation saves money by avoiding lengthy legal arbitration while managing decisions and issues privately within the organisation.
Pilot Mediation Opportunity
Before launching the service more widely, we are seeking three voluntary sector organisations or groups in Glasgow to participate in a pilot programme.
Participants will receive:
- Free mediation support from our trained staff
- Confidential and impartial facilitation
- Support to reach practical agreements
In return, we ask pilot participants to provide an evaluation and share feedback on their experience to help us shape and improve the service. Where participants are satisfied with the support received, we would also welcome an endorsement or testimonial that may be used in future promotion.
The pilot is suitable for organisations experiencing workplace, volunteer, or governance-related conflict in which all parties are willing to engage in mediation.
Contact us to find out more
Find out whether the service and our pilot opportunity might be right for your organisation. Please email sectordev@gcvs.org.uk