Conflict is an inevitable part of life, both in our face-to-face and our online interactions. CRESST does not aim to reduce conflict, but instead acknowledges that it is a natural and frequent part of daily life.
If conflict is managed well, we can reduce the hurt and harm it causes, and the learning can lead to deeper understanding, greater tolerance and more creative outcomes. CRESST empowers young people and the adults who work with them with the skills to resolve conflict constructively. We work with schools and young people’s organisations across the region.
In 2001 Eric Mackerness left Sheffield Central Preparative Meeting a sizeable legacy. After a careful decision making process the Meeting decided to fund a proposed project which eventually turned into CRESST.
The project was given funds for a five year programme aiming to develop conflict resolution and peer mediation in a sustainable way in 10 Sheffield schools. Peer mediation involves children being trained to mediate disputes between other children. Following a feasibility study, Meeting gave formal approval to the project in February 2003 and agreed its terms of reference. The project has been run by a committee of 12 which includes both Quakers and others.
Since 2004 CRESST has established a strong reputation in Sheffield and beyond, delivering conflict resolution training in over 60 schools and other youth organisations. We have grown significantly since 2014, having achieved three years’ funding to launch a new project with secondary schools. CRESST has now directly trained over 1,000 young mediators. We estimate that the total number for children and young people who have learnt and practiced conflict resolution skills as a result of CRESST’s support is now over 3,000. Each year over a hundred peer mediators from local active schools attend our annual conference at Sheffield University.
” Young people and adults learn not only to manage their own response to conflict but many also learn to help others resolve conflicts in their schools and communities.”
