Here in Wakefield, we know that trauma impacts on many people’s lives. It is estimated that 50% of the UK has experienced a traumatic event. Each year, the impacts of adverse childhood experiences cost the UK economy over £40 billion. Support is too often not responsive to people’s needs.
It is time that changed.
That is why Wakefield Council is determined to lead a trauma informed movement across the district, working across its services and partner organisations to achieve this.
This is part of a vision to make West Yorkshire a trauma informed region by 2030.
Trauma is where people experience a stressful or distressing event or set of circumstances that is difficult to cope with. It is a feeling of lacking control and can affect how a person functions and responds to certain situation. This can impact on someone’s physical and mental well-being, making people feel under threat, invalidated, unsupported and powerless. Anyone can experience trauma in their life and it is personal.
Trauma informed practice is about recognising the widespread impact of trauma on people’s lives. It is an approach that creates safe, resilient and supportive environments built on understanding how behaviours and relationships can be affected by trauma.
There are six principles that define trauma informed practice: safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment and cultural awareness.
Wakefield Council is wanting to be a leader in this space and build a trauma informed region.
All council staff and managers from every service can benefit from taking a trauma informed approach. Moreover, all businesses, organisations and services in Wakefield should be part of this movement too to build a truly responsive system.
Please see the below steps and resources to make a change today.
Start by reading and watching the short, easy-to-access videos, articles and toolkits below to understand more about trauma, trauma-informed practice and ways to embed this in your culture and way of working.
Complete the short, easy to complete self-reflection charter in association with WY Trauma Informed and begin your journey to earning a Trauma Informed Chartership - West Yorkshire Trauma Informed Charter : West Yorkshire Health & Care Partnership. Complete now
Complete the Trauma Informed Wakefield form. Fill in the form and show an interest in being involved in a newsletter, future updates, training opportunities and collaborative events. Spread the word too! Complete now
Creating a trauma informed system does not happen overnight. It is a cultural change that requires you to evolve. Make sure you spread the word to others and continue building the movement!
Show an interest in attending a trauma informed training session that could support you and your service or organisation. Contact Matt Rees (mrees@wakefield.gov.uk), who can help facilitate this.
