Meet the team

Laura Kirkpatrick

College of Mediators Approved Mediator, Civil Mediation Council Registered Mediator, SEND Accredited Mediator, Conflict Coach, Restorative Justice Facilitator, Professional Practice Consultant and Trainer

Laura brings over two decades of extensive experience in conflict resolution to her role as an Accredited Mediator, Professional Practice Consultant, Trainer, and Restorative Justice Facilitator.

Previously, Laura spearheaded a local authority mediation service, managing a broad spectrum of cases ranging from neighbour and homelessness disputes to workplace, commercial, family, and community conference cases, alongside restorative justice interventions. Her leadership involved overseeing an annual caseload of over 250 referrals, as well as managing a diverse mediation team comprising over 40 volunteers. Laura’s contributions extended to the design and delivery of comprehensive training programmes.

Laura holds qualifications in Interpersonal, Civil & Commercial, Workplace, Special Educational Needs (SEND), and Family Mediation. She augmented her expertise through additional training enabling her to effectively consult with children and young people. Her versatility is further showcased through her delivery of Level 2 Restorative Justice Conferences.

A proactive developer of workshops, Laura has crafted a range of training, including but not limited to – Understanding, Managing & Resolving Conflict, Challenging Conversations and Conflict Coaching.  These are tailored to meet the specific needs of clients and serve as invaluable resources for enhancing mediation practices.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Laura actively contributes to various voluntary positions. Since its inception in 2011, she has been an integral part of the Mediator Network Hub (previously North West Mediation Network), currently coordinating all network activities. Her extensive pro bono activity also includes an eight-year tenure as a Director on the Board of the College of Mediators, participation in the organising committee for the Midlands Mediation Network, and coordination of the North East Mediation Network. More recently, Laura joined the National Mediation Awards 2026 organising committee and the Civil Mediation Council’s working group for Community Mediation and represents Community Mediation on the CMC’s Mediation Standards Board, furthering her commitment to advancing mediation practices on a broader scale.

Laura’s contribution to the field of mediation were recognised in 2024 when she became a Fellow of the College of Mediators in acknowledgement of her ongoing commitment over the last 20 years to the field of mediation and her support for the College.

Julie Farrell

College of Mediators Approved Mediator, Civil Mediation Council Registered Mediator, SEND Accredited Mediator, Conflict Coach, Restorative Justice Facilitator, Professional Practice Consultant & Trainer

Julie brings over 20 years of extensive experience in the field of mediation and conflict resolution. Throughout her career, Julie has successfully mediated and facilitated a diverse array of disputes, ranging from homelessness, neighbour conflicts, and family disputes to workplace issues, civil and commercial matters, special educational needs cases, community conferences, and restorative justice.

Julie holds qualifications in Interpersonal, Civil & Commercial, Workplace, Special Educational Needs, and Family Mediation. Additionally, she underwent additional training to consult with children and young people. Julie’s expertise extends to delivering Level 2 Restorative Justice Conferences. She also provides one-on-one conflict coaching support, empowering individuals to identify strategies to transform the impact of their conflicts.

Actively engaged in the Mediator Network Hub (previously the North West Mediation Network), Julie delivers workshops and provides mediation practice supervision to fellow mediators and is recognised as a professional practice consultant with The College of Mediators. Passionate about reflective practice and continuous learning, Julie prioritises ongoing professional development, regularly participating in external supervision sessions. Her dedication to enhancing her skills and knowledge underscores her commitment to delivering effective and impactful mediation services.

Julie has previously served on the board of The College of Mediators and has participated in numerous working groups. Through her involvement, she remains steadfast in her commitment to advancing mediation practices and ensuring that industry standards are consistently maintained.  In 2024, Julie was honoured with a prestigious Fellowship from the College of Mediators in recognition of her dedication and contribution to the field of mediation. This award reflects her unwavering commitment to the profession and her support of the College.

OUR ASSOCIATE MEDIATORS

In addition to our Partners, Solution Talk benefits from the expertise of our Associate Mediators and Facilitators, who play a vital role in supporting our mediation, conflict coaching, and facilitated meeting services.

All Associate Mediators and Facilitators complete training in Interpersonal Mediation Skills, supported by further development in conflict resolution approaches. We place strong emphasis on ongoing professional development, reflective practice, and accountability. As part of this commitment, we request that our mediators and facilitators participate in our Annual Accreditation Programme, which sets clear expectations around regular supervision and continued skills development.

We also recognise that many of our Associate Mediators not only work with other mediation providers but may also run their own independent mediation practices. This wider professional engagement helps maintain and strengthen their skills, enriches their experience, and supports a well‑rounded, confident approach to practice – all of which benefits the people we work with.

JOIN US AS A PRO BONO MEDIATOR

Solution Talk welcomes expressions of interest from individuals who would like to volunteer as pro bono mediators. This is an opportunity for trained mediators who are passionate about supporting people in the community to resolve conflict and move forward constructively.

Volunteering with us offers a range of benefits, including:

• Regular access to free CPD and professional supervision
• Real‑world mediation experience across a variety of cases
• Ongoing skills development within a supportive, experienced team
• A meaningful contribution to people’s lives, helping neighbours and families find safer, healthier ways to communicate

Pro bono mediation strengthens practice, sharpens skills, and provides the chance to make a genuine difference in communities.

We welcome applications from mediators based in North West England as well as those able to support cases remotely across the UK.

To be eligible, you will already have completed a 40‑hour interpersonal mediation training course (or equivalent).

If you are interested in joining our team, please email an expression of interest to: info@solutiontalk.co.uk

We are delighted to introduce you to our current team: