WAVE Trauma Centre is marking 25 years of delivering Trauma Education — a milestone that reflects the enduring commitment to building a more trauma-informed society.
By centring the voices and lived experiences of those affected by the Troubles/conflict, WAVE’s Trauma Education Programme improves awareness of the lasting but often misunderstood effects of trauma. To date, more than 30,000 people have participated in its courses and training opportunities.
To mark the anniversary, WAVE hosted victims, survivors, their families and friends to celebrate these achievements and recognise the collective impact of everyone who has taken part.
Sandra Peake, CEO of WAVE Trauma Centre, said:
“Trauma education is an important part of our work. Everyone who has taken part in these courses is playing a part in creating a trauma-informed society. And thanks to the ongoing support of SEUPB and through VSS-PULSE we can continue improving trauma awareness and reach a great number of people across civic society”
WAVE Trauma Centre is a partner in VSS-PULSE (Partnership for Understanding, Learning, Support and Education), a £21.7 million project supported by the PEACEPLUS Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Led by the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS), the partnership works to improve the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors by increasing access to high quality services across NI, GB and RoI. Trauma Education is one of the key work streams, alongside the provision of Health and Wellbeing and Advocacy services, workforce training, and a research programme.
Andrew Walker, CEO of VSS, said:
“As Lead Partner in VSS-PULSE, we are very proud of the positive impact WAVE’s Trauma Education Programme is having. By investing in education, we are improving outcomes for victims and survivors and helping to build the trauma-informed communities they deserve.”
Participants spoke of how the courses have helped them better understand themselves and their experiences. For many, the programme offers something equally important: connection — a community of people who understand what they have been through.
One participant said:
“I’ve done other trauma courses over the years, but the WAVE programme has been the most healing for me. It helped me come into contact with my trauma in a way
Through VSS-PULSE, the Victims and Survivors Service, working alongside a network of community partners, is committed to delivering the support and services victims and survivors need to rebuild a sense of safety, confidence and connection.
“To find out more about WAVE’s Trauma Education programme and to enrol visit Trauma Education » Wave Trauma | Northern Ireland