Last year nearly 5,000 young people in Scotland (the equivalent of 5 high schools) became homeless due to family relationship breakdown. In 2013-2014, in the affluent city of Edinburgh, the average age of death of a Crisis Service user was 36 years old.
The Cyrenians Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution (SCCR) recognises that conflict in relationships can have a life-changing impact on the health and life chances of those involved and that many families are still struggling behind closed doors. The SCCR provides free events across Scotland and innovative digital resources (such as Monkeys vs Lizard) for young people, parents/carers and practitioners who work with families to support and develop a society that is more confident in managing conflict, thereby improving relationships and contributing to reducing youth homelessness in Scotland.
To mark the conclusion of our three-year funding grant from the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund, we invited colleagues and stakeholders from across Scotland who have collaborated with and who we are inspired by to reflect on our work (see Improving Relationships, Improving Lives: Three Year Report) and to look to our future under new Scottish Government funding: the Children, Young People & Families Early Intervention Fund.
To inform the next part of our work we shall be undertaking National surveys, identifying what it is families and practitioners need in order to manage conflict, improve relationships and work towards a better connected community in Scotland.
For information on our free accredited events, reports and resources please visit http://scottishconflictresolution.org.uk/
