A recent Frome FM podcast offers a window onto the work of the Let's Talk community group, set up during the pandemic to offer support for groups and individuals with 'tricky conversations'.

The group, which is affiliated to the Restorative Justice Council, hosts regular, free drop-in sessions, helping people to develop better communication and listening skills.

They can also provide ad hoc support on request. Whether it's a work relationship, a dispute with neighbours, or difficult interactions with a friend or family member, Let's Talk's skilled volunteers can help.

Podcast host Clare Hein said: "Let's Talk is part of a national Restorative Justice network and we take our responsibility in supporting the community very seriously.

"It's important to know that the people who run Let's Talk have all been trained and receive supervision in order to keep improving and up to date.

"The principles behind restorative justice is that it's restoring something, about letting people express their emotions and having their voice heard.  

"It's about bringing a sense of closure and repair to difficult situations. 

"The people who are in conflict with one and other have chosen to work with Let's Talk; we are completely neutral. We simply help them to work through difficulties, whether that's a tricky conversation, or a neighbourhood dispute."

Sheila Gore, former town councillor and Let's Talk member, said: "If an organisation is having issues on a committee, for instance, they can approach the town council and two facilitators from the Let's Talk group will talk individually to the members of the committee, to try and drill down and find out where the tensions lie, and where the desire to make things better lies.

"Then the facilitators would work with the members of the group and then probably bring the group together and hold what we would call a circle. Everyone is invited to contribute and find a solution for themselves.

"I'm hopeful that Let's Talk could help a group when it's first starting off, setting up their ways of working so that it pre-empts tricky conversations and areas of conflict so that they have a set of principles that they want to work by, so conflicts can be resolved within the group."

Let's Talk's regular open practice session and themed workshops are free to attend; for more information about themes and dates and to listen to the podcast, please visit bit.ly/lets-talk-workshops. 

More about the restorative justice approach is at https://restorativejustice.org.uk.