The tree is up, Christmas nights out have started, and some lucky residents are getting ready to finish up work for the Christmas holidays.

While everybody wants to enjoy the Christmas festivities, unfortunately for some residents that extra time spent at home with families, friends and around neighbours can result in some upsetting festive fallouts. 

Chair of the council’s Housing and Technical Resources Committee, Councillor Davie McLachlan, said: “This can be a busy and stressful time of year for everybody. 

“While some residents are enjoying nights out, others will still be working shifts or dealing with difficult family situations. At this time of year, we all know that very quickly stress levels can rise and tolerances can snap. 

“Where tensions with neighbours start to escalate, don’t let them fester and spoil your Christmas. 

“If you need some advice or some help to restore good neighbour relationships, you can contact the council’s specialist Mediation Service for assistance.

“It’s free and available to all South Lanarkshire residents and is a confidential, impartial service to help residents resolve any problems and find a mutually agreeable way forward.”

The service helps people resolve their differences without involving the police or getting involved in a long and expensive legal battle. It is independent, confidential, and free to everyone who lives in South Lanarkshire.

Tensions within families can rise too over the festive period with family fallouts resulting in an increased risk of homelessness, particularly for young people. Don’t wait until things get really bad.  If you are a parent, care giver or a young person who needs confidential advice or assistance, please contact our specially trained mediators to help you restore family relations now and prevent the risk of homelessness for young people over Christmas time. 

A mediation video has more information, as does the council website.