The first workshop we attended was ‘Improving Relationships, Improving Lives’ lead by Duncan Gordon, SCCR trainer for Conflict and Resolution. Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution’s (SCCR) ambition is to be a national resource centre for the best practice in conflict, resolution, mediation and early intervention work. They provide training and digital resources that are designed to enable people involved to feel more confident, knowledgable, and skilled in managing conflict. Common conflict topics in families include alcohol/drugs, respect, going to school, doing what you’re told etc.
The workshop led on to talk about the digital resources SCCR has and what information and help can be found on their website. They encouraged participants in the event to look at the website for useful tools to help understand and handle different types of conflict. The website has information tabs on common conflict issues that arise in households as well as video clips of parents sharing past experiences and advice. Christmas campaigns are also used each year to make the festive period easier for families, as it can be a stressful and hard time for many people.
Duncan Gordan then shared examples of training programmes SCCR provide. Understand, Communicate and Resolve is a one day training for relationships, conflict, conflict response, skills & mediation resource, and adolescence. Untangling the Knots is a three day training program which looks at self awareness, conflict styles, the neurological journey to growing up, dynamics of conflict and honing the skills for application purposes.
A group exercise was conducted at this point where participants were asked about things they did when they were younger which brought about conflict. Common answers were drinking alcohol, smoking and staying out late. This exercise was to show how going back to the basics and understanding how people work is fundamental in understanding and studying conflict.
Different dynamics can be seen in a variety of professions. 52% of workers did not know about conflict resolution skills for work, even though 100% said that conflict existed in their work. This shows that there is conflict in most work places that isn’t being properly resolved or tackled and that more should be done to help the likes of conflict of in the workplace.
Overall, ‘Improving Relationships, Improving Lives’ was a highly interesting and relatable workshop. All participants seemed comfortable and engaged throughout. The workshop taught us that conflict is normal and can in fact be very positive and creative. It can lead to a better way of doing things or relating to other people.
I agree Caitlin. It was a really interesting workshop, highlighting the work of Cyrenians and also helping us understand how important conflict resolution skills are for adults and young people, professionals and families alike.