It’s Family Mediation Week next week (26 – 30 January 2026), which aims to raise awareness of the benefits of family mediation. During the week, there will be free online events to help families navigate divorce or separation. Sessions are designed for members of the public or professionals supporting separating couples, who want to understand how mediation could support them, without the additional stress, cost and time of court proceedings.

The pressures of the festive period are often thought to be the final straw for strained relationships, meaning January usually sees a rise in the number of couples deciding to live apart. 

Organised by the Family Mediation Council, the week aims to raise awareness of how family mediation can help separating couples make arrangements for children, property and finances in a calmer, more constructive way. 

The week begins on Monday 26 January 2026 with a launch event at 9am. Everyone is invited to attend, whether you are in the process of separating or are a professional. You can register here to find out more. Later that day, there will be a lunchtime Q&A with This Morning’s TV Agony Aunt, Deidre Sanders, about family separation and mediation.

The life-changing decision to separate brings with it so many tough questions:

• Who lives where?
• Where will the children live, and how will we make sure we each spend time with them?
• How will we arrange finances?
• What about debts and pensions?

The free online events, taking place during Family Mediation Week, discuss these difficult issues and provide information on parenting, property, and financial options for separating couples. The aim is to 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.

With our mediation service at AC, an independent, professionally-trained mediator will help you work things out together, enabling you to avoid conflict in court proceedings and all the stress, delay and cost it can bring. 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.

At AC, all three of our mediators are named on the Family Mediation Council Register, which means they meet agreed professional standards. We have two fully accredited mediators and one mediator awaiting accreditation. 

Family Mediation Vouchers worth £500 are available to help fund the cost of family mediation for families who need to discuss arrangements for children. At AC, we are taking part in the family mediation voucher scheme. 

For more information

For more information about the benefits of family mediation, please visit our website or contact us on 0121 212 7413.