Our history

In 2001 Eric Mackerness left Sheffield Central Preparative Meeting a sizeable legacy. After a careful decision making process the Meeting decided to fund a proposed project which eventually turned into CRESST.

The project was given funds for a five year programme aiming to develop conflict resolution and peer mediation in a sustainable way in 10 Sheffield schools. Peer mediation involves children being trained to mediate disputes between other children. Following a feasibility study, Meeting gave formal approval to the project in February 2003 and agreed its terms of reference. The project has been run by a committee of 12 which includes both Quakers and others.

The committee appointed Cheryl Smart as the Project Co-ordinator in November 2003 and a half time Project Administrator in May 2004. Following a period of development schools were recruited in June 2004 and work began in September 2004. In 2013 Ellis Brooks became Coordinator, and then in 2014 Carolyn Leary was appointed as Programme Director, replaced by Rob Unwin in 2022. The team expanded with the role of Assistant Coordinator and subsequently Programme Manager in 2018. The freelance training team continues to grow.

Since 2004 CRESST has established a strong reputation in Sheffield and beyond, delivering conflict resolution training in over 140 schools and other youth organisations. We have grown significantly since 2014, having achieved three years’ funding to launch a new project with secondary schools. CRESST has now directly trained over 3,000 young mediators. We estimate that the total number for children and young people who have learnt and practiced conflict resolution skills as a result of CRESST’s support is now over 6,000. Each year around a hundred peer mediators from local active schools attend our annual conference at Sheffield University.

Partner organisations

Our funders

In addition to our local fundraising activities and individual donations, we are very grateful to have received grant funding from the following charitable trusts: