Who we are
A peacemaking service that empowers without imposing, that listens without fixing, and collaborates without judging. Personal. Professional. Compassionate.
About Us
WMS is a not-for-profit conflict resolution training and mediation provider operating in London and nationwide. Our charity was set up in 2004 as a local service, helping Wandsworth residents resolve disagreements through free mediation and conflict coaching. Since then, our work has grown – we now support people across London, the UK and internationally, helping thousands find better ways forward.
Our Founder Patron is Stephen Ruttle KC, one of the UK’s leading mediators. For many years he has been consistently recognised in WWL’s Legal 500 and Chambers as a leading figure in the field. He has mediated over 1,700 disputes of every kind, including many of the most complex and sensitive cases in the UK and worldwide.
Our Services
- We offer mediation, conflict coaching and facilitation services for those caught up in many different types of conflict: at work, at home or in the wider community.
- We deliver conflict and communication skills training to businesses and community organisations, including Richmond and Wandsworth Council, the police and housing associations.
- We train, equip and supervise new peace-builders in our community, by running free conflict resolution workshops and enabling residents to become community mediators.
- We work with primary and secondary schools in the borough, delivering mediation and training, including our peer mediation programme.
- Since 2022, we have been working with Ukrainian refugees and their sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, providing free mediation, facilitation, and conflict coaching to resolve host-guest conflicts.
Our Expertise
We are recognised nationally for the quality and innovation of our work. In 2023 we received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (the equivalent of an MBE), and in 2024 the Innovation Award at the National Mediation Awards.
Our team of 50+ volunteer mediators includes nationally and internationally recognised professionals. Together, they bring a wealth of experience to every case.
As one recent client put it: “You will receive the most robust and professional service in the industry.”
Our Clients
Commercial Mediation – SMEs, large organisations, charities and schools across the UK. In 2020-2021, we were appointed to manage disputes under two Post Office schemes – Historic Shortfall and Stamp Scheme – in relation to recent shortfalls at branches.
Community mediation – Wandsworth residents, often referred by Richmond & Wandsworth Council, Citizens Advice Wandsworth, NHS social prescribers, housing associations and the police.
Training – adults, children and young people across the UK and internationally, through partnerships with businesses, councils, schools and faith groups.
Our Funders and Sponsors
We are a registered charity operating on a not-for-profit basis. Most of our services are free to residents of Wandsworth. The income we receive helps us deliver our charitable objects, including free neighbour mediation for Wandsworth residents and peer mediation training in local schools.
We fund our service through donations from service users as well as grants and fundraising. Amongst our recent sponsors and/or funders are Linklaters, the National Lottery, the Wimbledon Foundation, The Hedley Foundation, Wandsworth Grant Fund, The Worshipful Company of Arbitrators and others.
Find out how you can support us.