We launch Scotland's First Trauma Awareness Week

Midlothian Council has launched Trauma Awareness Week with senior leadership pledging Support for Trauma-Informed Practice.

First

This is not just Midlothian’s first Trauma Awareness week - but also the first in Scotland.

Aims

The aim of the week is to raise awareness and understanding of the impact that trauma can have on individuals, families and communities, while also showcasing the positive and supportive steps that staff, services and organisations across Midlothian are taking to support everyone to grow, recover and thrive.

Context

The Scottish Government and COSLA have a joint ambition for “a trauma-informed workforce and services across Scotland, capable of recognising where people are affected by trauma and adversity, that is able to respond in ways that prevent further harm and support recovery and can address inequalities and improve life chances.​”

Training

The council has already delivered a series of training and development sessions on trauma for senior leadership, managers and elected members.

Events

A programme of free events is running this week exploring trauma-informed practice in Midlothian. These focus on key principles and are open to people in the community and professionals whose work involves working with clients who may have experience of trauma.  Sessions have already been held on ‘Trust’ and ‘Safety’ and further sessions will cover ‘Empowerment’ and ‘Choice’.

Sessions

• Webinar: Empowerment - Thursday 18 September, 11am–12noon
  Discover how trauma-informed communication and staff support can empower individuals and influence change. Includes a video from the Staff Lived Experience Group.
  Join the webinar
• Webinar: Choice - Friday 19 September, 11am–12noon
  This session explores how offering choice can transform relationships and support recovery. Hear from local projects and young people with lived experience.
  Join the webinar

Sign up

Click on the links above to sign up and join webinars or email Ciara.burke@midlothian.gov.uk 

Trauma-informed community

Midlothian Council Leader Cllr Kelly Parry said: “I’m proud to launch the first Trauma Awareness Week in Scotland. We want everyone to be healthy and feel safe, respected, and hopeful about their futures. Understanding trauma and its impact is vital to achieving this. We aim to create a trauma-informed community, embedding principles of choice, collaboration, empowerment, safety, and trust where people feel safe and valued, and can grow and recover.”