Wednesday 15 April 2015

The Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution



In Scotland, 5,000 young people become homeless due to relationships at home breaking down. Sadly, behind closed doors, many more are struggling daily with conflict and arguments.
.We all know how vulnerable young people are at the best of times without the added pressure and strain of a home breaking up.  They can be left feeling lonely, sad, mentally and physically exhausted and, for some, with nowhere to stay. During a national study, 1 in 4 young people have thought about running away due to issues at home and a third of parents admitted to arguing with their teenagers weekly.

This is where The Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution comes in.  They are a national resource promoting and supporting best practise in conflict resolution, mediation and early intervention.

"We are helping young people and their families seek help before it reaches crisis point through our national Stop.Talk.Listen campaign, innovative series of training, seminars, and resource-rich website."

Usually we see mediation as a meeting that is set in an office with everyone sitting around a desk this is not the case here.  The mediators teach skills that can be used in every day life and that will stay with those they are helping.  SCCR not only support the children, they also help the parents, helping them to communicate through difficult times.

I have been given more information from SCCR which can be found below.




BACKGROUND: Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution (SCCR)

Mediation is a proven way of helping families to try to avoid this break up. Butresearch by Edinburgh CyreniansAmber Mediation Service in 2011 found mediation services to be patchy and often only available at the point of crisis.

In response to this, the Cyrenians set up the Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution (SCCR), funded by the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund, to raise the profile of mediation; help parents and young people navigate through problems (or direct them to professional help if needed); support professionals and practitioners working with young people and families; and promote best practise.

Research by the SCCR shows 61 per cent of young people said arguments happen at home at least once a week, and 25 per cent of youngsters think about leaving home at least monthly. But the research also showed that many professionals don’t know how to support struggling families. 50% of professionals didn’t feel they had the skills or knowledge to support families at such times, despite 83% saying it was part of their role.

How the SCCR is helping:

CAMPAIGN: The SCCR has launched a new national public awareness campaign: Stop. Talk. Listen

Every family argues but unfortunately sometimes it can escalate to crisis point and can lead to young people becoming homeless. We believe that by talking openly about what we argue about it will help others toStop.Talk.Listenbefore reaching breaking point.

The campaign asks the general public to upload a selfie to a specially designed social media wall – sharing: What’s been the biggest cause of arguments at home? We want to get people thinking about how these can often be the tip of the iceberg and how they can stop, talk and listen to avoid longer term resentments and fall-outs.

The campaign has seen widespread support from Scottish civic leaders and some well- known names including Chief Executive and founder of Street Soccer (Scotland) David Duke, who was homeless himself, and former Big Brother winner Cameron Stout.  People can take part by visiting the campaign page here and sending in aStop.Talk.Listenselfie through the website, Instagram, or Twitter tagging #StopTalkListen @SCCRCentre
Audiences at the Science Festival will be the first to try out a new way to learn how to better manage family arguments tonight (Monday), as leading professionals join forces to promote a newly designed online resource to “mainstream” conflict resolution and mediation tools.

The new resource challenges people to learn more about the way their brain works and how deeply-engrained early experiences can shape the way they deal with conflict at home.

The new ‘Monkey v Lizard’ quiz – which can be found at bit.ly/TestMyBrain - has received the backing from doctor and medical advisor Dr Sara Watkin.

38 comments:

  1. What an important issue. Good to know there's an organisation there to help before things reach crisis point.

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    1. There should be more organisations like this! They do fantastic work x

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  2. It's good there is something there to help. I can remember arguing with my parents at that sort of age and being adamant that I had to move out, but I had nowhere to go. It did all blow over and I can't even remember what it was all about now, but something like this might have smoothed the way.

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    1. Their work is vital to so many. I am glad to hear that everytihng worked out for you.

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  3. Such an important issue, so glad everything worked out for you.

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    1. They are an amazing centre, wish there was more like them as it would mean more children and young adults would get the help they need

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  4. What a great resource - and a great campaign! Hopefully it will help to iron out problems before it becomes too late for some x

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    1. I agree, fantastic resource! So many families getting the help they need x

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  5. There needs to be more organisations like this! I listened to a telephone conversation between a 7 year old girl and the police operator yesterday and it was heartbreaking to hear what happens behind closed doors for some children (and adults) x

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    1. Yeah so many more children would benefit. I can't imagine listening to call like that, would break me I think x

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  6. There needs to be something like this in Wales. My biggest sister recently had a big fall out with my Daddy and we have all suffered ever since :(

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    1. i am sorry to hear that. The government should look into funding more of these resources x

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  7. its a brilliant thing to have somewhee for people to go to if ever they feel they are in need of support

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  8. What a fantastic sounding organisation - it is so good to know therre is places for people to turn.

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    1. Such an important organisation. More like it should be available x

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  9. It is wonderful that there are resources like this out there. Quite often agencies don't get involved until crisis point has been reached

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    1. Exactly, these agencies should review their policies and introduce something like mediation too before it reaches crisis point x

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  10. This is such an important resource, often external agencies don't get involved until after crisis point has been reached

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  11. This makes me so sad. there are so many disadvantaged sections in society and it is awful.

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    1. It is hard knowing so many people are vulnerable but always good to know there is someone to help them x

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  12. We need more resources like this. Mental ill health and conflict blight so many people's lives - with a bit of help, everyone can lead happier lives.

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    1. I agree, more centres like this means more vital help x

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  13. It's good to know there's help out there for those that need it as long as they're aware it exists

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    1. that is why I am happy to share what they do so people know they are there :) x

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  14. Such a wonderful organisation. It is so sad to think this is all happening but amazing that there are places that are helping x

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    1. it is very sad knowing so many people are in need of help thank goodness for places like this x

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  15. So good to know that these families have somewhere to turn when needed

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  16. anyone that helps at times of need is fab in my book

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  17. Wish there was something like this near us, may have helped my teenage daughter through a horrible stage

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    1. Sorry to hear your daughter went through a hard time and I hope all is well now. I think more centres like this should be available throughout the UK

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  18. Thank you very much for this great blog Angela to raise awareness and support our work. Have you tried our new Monkey v Lizard quiz? It would be great if you shared your result. We also have an online forum where people from all sectors can discuss family, relationships and share best practice around conflict resolution in Scotland. Please feel free to check it out and participate - http://discuss.scottishconflictresolution.org.uk/

    Many thanks once again.

    The SCCR :)

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    1. No problem. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help :)

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  19. What an amazing initiative - this is so important and I'm sure will benefit so many. Great post Angela.

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    1. Thanks :-) I like to share posts about initiatives like these are they play a vital role xxxxx

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