ACEs and Trauma Informed
Despite the challenges of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)... with education and awareness, we can create a brighter future.
Sometimes life can be tough, traumatic events in your childhood can lead to experiencing physical, behavioural and mental health problems, even in adulthood. However, with the right support you can live a happy, healthy fulfilling life.
Free Foundational Adverse Childhood Experiences & Trauma Awareness Training now available to all staff and volunteers working in Bolton.
FREE Bespoke Training offer
There is an opportunity for Foundational ACEs course to be delivered to your organisation as a bespoke session for free.
The bespoke sessions are put together to specifically address the needs of your organisation. We will work with you to ensure that the length of the session is what you need and that the topics included are relevant to you. These topics can include what are ACEs, child development, what trauma is, the stress response system and trauma-informed practice. The sessions include a range of videos and animations and group activities. Please see the Bespoke Training Offer Flyer for more details.
Toolkits & Resources
Trauma Informed Communities Toolkit supports trauma informed practice, when working in and with communities, assisting to adopt trauma-informed ways of working that help everyone feel safe and supported.
For further information about the programme or to get involved please contact publichealthadmin@bolton.gov.uk
Trauma-Informed Family Hubs: Key Insights and Resources
The Local Government Association hosted a webinar with Dr Asha Patel (Innovative Minds) on how Family Hubs can strengthen trauma-informed practice.
Being trauma-informed means going beyond awareness and making sure people feel safe, understood and able to engage in our services.
Trauma affects both the body and mind, and behaviours are often ways people protect themselves. Instead of asking “what is wrong?”, we ask “what has happened?”. This means:
- Creating a sense of safety
- Being curious and non-judgemental
- Understanding responses like freeze or high stress
Relationships matter. Calm, supportive interactions help people feel safe. Staff do not need to fix everything but should feel confident to listen and support.
What this means for Family Hubs
We can make small changes that make a big difference:
- Use clear, simple language
- Create welcoming spaces
- Think about how people experience services when they feel overwhelmed
- Adapt environments, including sensory and outdoor spaces
Supporting staff
A trauma-informed approach also supports staff by:
- Recognising the impact of stress on wellbeing
- Providing good supervision and support
- Ensuring staff feel confident and trained
Key message
Trauma-informed practice is a whole-system approach—it’s about how we lead, support staff, design services and work with families every day.
Resources
For further information on Bolton’s Trauma Informed Programme email Munisha.savania@bolton.gov.uk
Support services
Victim Support Greater Manchester is a charity giving free and confidential help to anyone affected by crime.
0800 876 6155
https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/resources/greater-manchester/
Greater Manchester Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Support Centre is a service supporting women who have experienced sexual violence.
0161 273 4500
https://www.manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk/
Greater Manchester gambling related harm support services. A list of local support services for individuals and their families experiencing gambling related harm can be found here:
https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/health/gambling/support-and-treatment-for-gambli…
Greater Manchester alcohol, drugs and substance use services. A list of local support services for individuals and their families experiencing harm from substance use can be found here:
https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/10023/alcohol_drugs_and_substance_use/404/alcohol_drugs_and_subs…
Alcoholics Anonymous. If your drinking is causing you problems and you wish to stop drinking.
08009177650
https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
Samaritans. If you are in crisis, or something is getting you down, the Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
116 123
https://www.samaritans.org/
NSPCC is a major UK charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC’s purpose is to end cruelty to children.
Help for adults concerned about a child:
0808 800 5000
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Women’s Aid is a national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.
http://www.womensaid.org.uk
ADFAM gives information and support for the families of drug and alcohol users.
http://www.adfam.org.uk
