Amber is...

• A mediation and support service for families and young people (14-24).
• A safe space where you can have your say and be heard.
• A place where you can find your own solutions.

• When there's conflict at home.
• When you're thinking of leaving home in a hurry.
• When you feel at the end of your tether with your teenager.
• When you want to rebuild your relationship with a member or members of your family.

• Worked with nearly 350 families
• Provided Conflict Resolution Workshops to over 150 S3/S4 pupils across Edinburgh and the Lothians
• Secured further funding in East Lothian to provide mediation to young people (16-21) as part of the Council's Housing Options strategy
• Delivered training workshops for frontline staff, working with homeless and vulnerable young people in Dundee and Fife
• Produced an influential academic research paper on the history and development of homeless mediation in Scotland over the past ten years (available Nov 2011)

• We take referrals over the phone from individuals (self referral) and agencies (schools, social work, other voluntary organisations).
• We meet up to talk through what's been happening.
• We identify with you what's difficult and help you to think about what could be different.
• We'll work with you for about three months or until you see an improvement with your relationship.

• Sometimes, for all sorts of reasons, mediation doesn't go ahead.
• Our Personal Advisors are there to make sure that you get the best service possible.
• They can work with you on a 1:1 basis to increase your communication skills, reduce conflict and, if you require, put you in touch with long term support.

• Confidential, unless there is a risk of harm to you or others
• Voluntary at all times and there is no pressure for you to take part
• Impartical and we will never take sides or make judgements

In 2010 - 2011 Edinburgh Cyrenians conducted some research, mapping the mediation services that have worked in Scotland for the prevention of homelessness. Drawing on interveiws representing 27 of the 42 services operating in the decade 2001 and 2011, the detailed report looks at the development of the services, the lessons that have been learnt and makes recommendations for the future for policy writers, commissioners and mediation practitioners. Read more here

Contact us on 0131 475 2493 or email: amber @ cyrenians . org . uk