Online events to help families navigate separation during Family Mediation Week
Families who are facing separation or divorce are being encouraged to explore family mediation as a constructive alternative to courtroom disputes, as a series of free online events take place during Family Mediation Week, from Monday 26 to Friday 30 January.
January often sees an increase in relationship breakdowns, with the pressures of the festive period acting as a final strain for many couples. Family Mediation Week, organised by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), aims to raise awareness of how mediation can help separating parents and couples make practical arrangements for children, property and finances in a calmer and more cost-effective way.
Couples who have made the difficult decision to separate are invited to join a programme of online webinars designed to help them understand their options and avoid the stress, delay and expense of court proceedings. Events include a lunchtime Q&A on Monday 26 January (1–2pm) with This Morning TV agony aunt Deidre Sanders, who will discuss family separation and the role mediation can play in resolving disputes.
The life-changing decision to separate often brings with it a series of challenging and emotional questions, including:
- Who will live where?
- Where will the children live, and how will each parent spend time with them?
- How will money be divided, including debts and pensions?
- What happens to shared property – and even the family pet?
“In family mediation, an independent, professionally-trained mediator helps you work things out together, enabling you to avoid courtroom confrontation and all the stress, delay and cost it can bring,” says Laura Bell, Partner at Trethowans.
“Professional mediators help you to create long-term solutions for your particular circumstances, rather than leaving it to a court to make decisions for your family.
“These free online events are designed to let more people know about family mediation and encourage separating couples to think about the process as a way of helping them take control, make decisions together and build a positive future for their family.”
The free online events are designed for members of the public who want to understand how family mediation works and whether it could support them during separation. They aim to provide reassurance, clear information and guidance at what is often an overwhelming time.
Support may also be available through Legal Aid, and Family Mediation Vouchers worth up to £500 can help cover the cost of mediation for eligible families.
Full details of all online events and how to register can be found here: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/family-mediation-week-2026-timetable/
