Handling Conflict with Confidence: An Introduction for Commissioners

Do you ever find yourself caught between volunteers who don’t see eye to eye, wishing you had a clearer way to help them move forward?
Have you inherited tensions in a team and felt unsure how to respond without making things worse?
Would you like simple, practical tools you can use to move issues forward?

Disagreements are a natural part of team dynamics — but when handled early and with care, they can strengthen understanding and connection. This interactive workshop introduces Girlguiding Commissioners to the principles and practice of approaching conflict constructively by supporting open conversations and helping volunteers move forward collaboratively.

By the end of the session, you will:

• Recognise types and signs of conflict that arise in volunteer teams.
• Gain practical tools and communication techniques, including reframing, summarising, and managing triggers.
• Build confidence to guide constructive conversations in a safe, supportive way.

Trainer: Louise Kelly, an accredited mediator with extensive experience in volunteer management and community mediation. She trained with the Open College Network and volunteers with Calm, supporting communities through challenging conversations. Alongside her freelance mediation work with workplaces and voluntary organisations, Louise draws on extensive experience in safeguarding and volunteer management within community projects. Her approach is warm, practical, and focused on creating safe, supportive spaces where everyone feels heard.

Format: Live online session | 2.5 hours | Includes group discussions, interactive exercises, and real-world examples.