About MIRRA
Mediation and Restorative Approaches, Inclusive Responses to conflict
Building relationships
Repairing harm
Resolving conflict
About MIRRA
My name is Julie Wolstenholme and I established MIRRA following a number of years as a Director of ReSolutions First, a not-for-profit organisation at the forefront of pioneering mediation, restorative approaches and social and emotional teaching and learning in schools. As a practicing mediator of 15 years, my work has included involvement in establishing a home/school mediation service for Manchester schools and training the team of mediators to support young people, their parent/carers and schools to find peaceful resolution to their conflicts.
The aim of MIRRA is to continue to expand this work and to offer individuals, communities and statutory organisations training, consultancy and support to create awareness, skills, practices and systems that build and repair relationships and address conflict in positive ways.
Restorative approaches encapsulate the ethos that conflict is an unavoidable aspect of human relationships. By building the necessary awareness, understanding, skills and processes our relationships and communities can be enriched and strengthened and our conflicts seen as opportunities for change and growth. Established methods of dealing with conflict and wrongdoing are increasingly less effective in addressing some of the challenges we face; within schools, within the criminal justice system, within the workplace and within communities. Restorative approaches offer a framework of values, skills, practices and processes that enhance, strengthen and build relationships and offer opportunities for all members of a community to take responsibility for their actions and for each other; particularly when harm is caused or when people need help to resolve their differences.
Within this site
Within this site you will find information about what restorative approaches are and how restorative approaches are making a difference in Manchester schools and beyond.
You can find out how restorative approaches, practices and systems can be affective within diverse settings and can be tailored to meet the needs of your school or organisation.