Hi, I’m Viv Slack. I offer conflict coaching, mediation, group facilitation and one to one support.

I support individuals to connect with themselves and others, process experiences, navigate conflict, and tune into their own inner guidance. In creating space for all parts of us, we find more capacity to stay with hard things, and more courage to show up in the world with authenticity and care.

I work with communities, organisations & grassroots groups to bridge divides, have difficult conversations, navigate conflict, collaborate, make decisions together and build capacity. I am experienced in holding space for group processes where there are divergent views and polarisation – meeting each other even when it is uncomfortable, and making decisions for the benefit of all.

I also support families, couples and friends who are navigating conflict, including around gender identity.

I am deeply committed to Nonviolence and Collective Liberation. I love working with intentional communities, co-operatives, organisations, grassroots groups and social change networks, and also with individuals. I am currently based in West Wales, open to travel, and also work online.

If you would like support to connect, collaborate, move through conflict, make decisions, share power, process experiences, or something else that is alive for you, I would love to hear from you.

“Viv has an incredible intuition for what people need. She doesn’t shy away from what’s hard and instead creates a space where feelings can be acknowledged and worked through. Viv’s ability to hold space for people and guide them toward resolution with care and respect is remarkable.” (read more…)

What I offer…

Mediation : Support to navigate conflict, process experiences, and find ways forward. This may include individual support (conflict coaching), a facilitated conversation, mediation or restorative circle.

Facilitation: Holding space for groups, organisations and communities to have difficult conversations, make decisions together, develop self organising systems, and find solutions that consider all needs.

One to One Support: Individual support to connect with all parts of ourselves, process experiences, transform limiting beliefs, make conscious choices, and find more clarity, peace and aliveness.

Courses: Tailored learning, reflection and practice spaces for groups and individuals including: Navigating Conflict; Holding Space; Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Resilience.

Intentional communities: Support for intentional communities navigating conflict and polarisation.

How I work…

At the heart of everything i do is a commitment to understanding and honouring each person’s needs and boundaries, and finding strategies that everyone involved is genuinely willing to go forward with.

I use different modalities depending on the needs and context of each situation. My training and experience includes Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Somatic Coaching, IFS, Conflict Coaching, Mediation, Restorative Circles, Restorative Justice, Deep Democracy, Art of Hosting, Appreciative Inquiry, Participatory Grant Making (PGM), Convergent Facilitation, TheoryU and Legislative Theatre.

Organisations I have worked with recently include GM Systems Changers, Oldham LocalMotion, GM Homelessness Action Network, Queer Roots Collective, Valley Organics, Meanwood Valley Market Garden, Bury Elephants Trail, Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary, SAWN, Opal Advocacy, PHSO Ombudsman, Street Support Network, Living Streets, Todmorden Makery, XR UK conflict transformation & NVC-UK.

If you would like to talk about how I might support you or your community, please get in touch.

Why I do this work…

”Nonviolence is the courage to speak truth with love…and love is the full radical acceptance of the humanity of every person.” ​ – Miki Kashtan.

I am passionate about finding better ways to live and work together based on mutual care. I want us to find more capacity to respond to complex and important challenges with wisdom, honesty and care. I don’t want to see anyone else end up in burnout, facing ongoing conflicts, or falling back to hierarchical power. There are ways to work together that are more effective, inclusive, restorative and joyful.

I also care deeply about increasing our awareness of systems of oppression and internalised beliefs, to look at how social constructs and systems impact us, and continue to make it especially difficult and painful for some of us to participate. If you are looking to do in depth work around this, especially around anti racism, I recommend connecting with organisations like OpenEdge or BRAP.

To find out more about how i work, please read these testimonials or get in touch.