ANM Summer School 2026, High Trenhouse, Malham 14-16 May

“Mediation Challenges Across Tough Topics: The Mediator and The Mediation”

With guest speaker Mia Forbes Pirie – International Mediator, Facilitator - The Conversations Coach

Set in the peaceful and beautiful Yorkshire Dales, this Summer School is renowned for offering mediators a space to step back, think deeply and refine their practice alongside like-minded professionals. We welcome ANM members and non-members and mediators of all backgrounds and levels of experience.

We seem to become more and more divided every day - polarised not only across ideological and political divides but also in our personal relationships and working environments. In this highly participative mediation masterclass, Mia Forbes Pirie will help us explore a central question:

When we have difficult mediations – what part is about us, and what part is about the mediation? And what can we do about that?

Looking at us as mediators, Mia will cover:

• How can we make sure that, through who we are as mediators, we give our clients the best chance of success at mediation?

• What it really means to “take your seat as a mediator” – and how we do that in practice

• How who we are shapes both the process and the outcomes

Looking at the substance of the Mediation itself, we will explore polarisation and challenging topics, including:

• What is polarisation and why it happens?

• When are people ready to discuss difficult issues? When are they not?

• Difficult topics and strategies for dealing with them.

• How do we discuss the un-discussable? Is that even what we should be doing? (Topics from personal friction, through to race, religion, sexuality)

• Ways to help people unpolarise and move from entrenched positions 

About Mia Forbes Pirie

Mia is an International Mediator, Facilitator and Coach, who has worked with governments, politicians, think tanks and NGOs from the G7 to the Government of Mongolia and the Church of England, as well as mediating commercial conflict and facilitating discussions between families to achieve better relationships. She believes that better conversations create better relationships, better outcomes and better lives. She is keen to inspire people to have them and help guide them as to how best to do that. Founder of The Conversations Coach and Co-Founder of Lares Partners and APROPOS (Advancing Process in Politics), she has co-created UCL’s Disagreeing Well skills series and spoken on polarisation at TEDx and on understanding conflict at Chatham House. 

More about Mia:

https://miaforbespirie.com

https://theconversationscoach.com

TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjdebTIOI6c

Why Come?

In addition to world class training, it's always a special time to connect with other mediators. We have exclusive use of the High Trenhouse retreat/training centre, set in the Yorkshire Dales. A walk round Malham Tarn, communal meals, a comfy bar, garden and woodland give the chance for connection and many conversations between the speakers and colleagues.

BOOKING

Booking is NOW OPEN!  Click "sign-up for this event" .  Places are limited to maintain the quality of the discussion and interaction.  

Please read carefully before completing your purchase

The payment of the course fee is a deposit which will reserve your place, you will be sent a link to pay the additional costs for accommodation/delegate costs directly to High Trenhouse. This will confirm your place on the course and should be paid promptly to ensure your place at the event. This arrangement is because the accommodation costs vary - some people want to stay Thursday and Friday night, some want to stay just Friday night, and some opt for day delegate places not staying overnight. High Trenhouse is VAT registered, so you can reclaim VAT on the accommodation. ANM is not VAT registered so we cannot issue a VAT receipt.

Refunds of course fees will not be issued except in exceptional circumstances (although you can allocate your place to another mediator). Refunds of accommodation fees should be discussed directly with the venue.

Due to expected high demand, we may be able to add additional places, but need to know numbers and accommodation required as soon as possible.

Please note that the ANM course fee does NOT include all costs of the summer school.

Additional venue costs in addition to course fee (book on this link and paid directly to High Trenhouse) https://www.hightrenhouse.com/anm-summer-school

• £410.40 per person including VAT for Friday and Saturday with accommodation

• £255.00 per person including VAT for day delegates without accommodation

• Additional £150.00 per person including VAT for dinner, bed and breakfast on Thursday night if required, Total £560.40.