Scottish charity leaders and some well known faces from the worlds of politics and celebrity have got together to reveal what makes their blood boil for a new campaign to reduce youth homelessness
As part of the Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution's (SCCR) Stop.Talk.Listen campaign some of Scotland's charity executives have revealed what the biggest causes of arguements are in their homes.
The campaign aims to start a discussion on the best ways to solve family conflicts in a bid to battle youth homelesseness with almost 5,000 16-24 year-olds in Scotland becoming homeless due to tension at home.
You can take part in the campaign by uploading your own selfie on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #StopTalkListen.
1. David Duke - Staying out late
The chief executive and founder of Street Soccer Scotland, who himself was once homeless, said staying out late and problems at school were the main cause of problems in his house. He says you should always try and see yourself in other people and before speaking in anger, think and treat them how you would like to be treated. There is always a reason for people’s anger or upset so try and find out the real reason, he says.
2. Ewan Aitken - People not being tidy
The Cyrenians chief executive Ewan Aitken says people not clearing up their own mess is the number one reason for a bad atmosphere in his house. He suggests people need to be there and listen. Understanding that listening and agreeing are not the same thing is key, he adds, and he himself tries to listen to his own emotions and not to let them shape his responses.
3. Louise MacDonald - People not being decisive
It sounds like chief executive of Young Scot has been spending too much time looking through Ikea catalogues as she says indecision and wicker furniture are the biggest causes of arguments for her. He tips are simple but spot on. She says listen properly, don’t judge, show love and see it from all sides.
4. Drew Drummond - Things not being put back properly
Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution’s patron very own mediator Drew Drummond like a neat and tidy home. He says people not putting stuff away winds him up but one of the way he tries to calm the situation is to use humour and make a joke. There are times, he admits, when the immediate reaction is to retaliate but he likes to take a step back and if he can tries to say something kind.
5. Tam Baillie - People being messy
It seems Scotland’s commissioner for children and young people Tam Baillie and Ewan Aitken and Drew Drummond have got something in common. They both hate mess! Tam says folk not tidying up after themselves is what causes conflict in his house and he says the best way for him to deal with an arguement is to count to 10 before speaking. It’s good to take a break and listen to the other person, he says.
6. Cameron Stout - Petty things
Former Big Brother winner and all round nice guy (he does a lot for charity) Cameron Stout said he and his brother used to fight a lot, over ridiculous, petty stuff. Thankfully They got through it and are now the best of friends. Two things that help them both now is to always pause and consider what kind of day or week others might have been having as almost always, Cameron says, it will be worse than your own. Last Christmas he gave him mum a pretend voucher for a year’s worth of computer and internet help, including the promise “without getting grumpy about it”. The mere act of writing it down has really helped him not get frustrated, Cameron added.
