Adversity, Trauma and Resilience Knowledge Exchange 2022
Over 600 people joined our second annual Adversity, Trauma and Resilience Knowledge Exchange in partnership with the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit. With a focus on prevention, early intervention, and mitigating harm from preconceptions throughout life, the event showcased the amazing work that is taking place across our system.
Throughout the three-day event attendees took part on a journey from theory to practice, joined workshops and Q&A sessions and heard reports on the progress towards reaching our collective ambition as well as early findings from our research, evaluation, and development of resources.
Children and young people who experience adversity and trauma are at high risk of; poor physical/mental health and emotional wellbeing, substantive increases in adopting anti-social and health-harming behaviours, including serious violence, poor attendance/exclusion at school, and decreased educational attainment.
Adults who face multiple disadvantages because of trauma and adversity are four times more likely to have addictions, fifteen more times likely to take their own life, and three times more likely to be absent from work. To improve outcomes for the physical, mental health, and well-being of the people that live and work in West Yorkshire we need to work together to prevent trauma and adversity and mitigate existing harm across the life course. While fully eradicating trauma remains unlikely, actions to strengthen community resilience and assets may partially offset their immediate harms. Event attendees were tasked over the three days to listen, respond, and share evidence, knowledge, and practice. There was an emphasis on how grassroots expertise can underpin the shifts in culture and practice needed to achieve the West Yorkshire vision of ensuring the area is trauma-informed and responsive to people’s needs.
For more information see the Adversity, Trauma and Resilience Annual Knowledge Exchange website. See our adversity and trauma resources section for copies of the presentations used at the event and other handy resources.
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Adversity, Trauma and Resilience Knowledge Exchange 2021
West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership launched its Adversity, Trauma and Resilience Knowledge Exchange, in partnership with West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, with a three day online event from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 March 2021.
This amazing illustration by Scribble Inc captures all the key themes, ambitions and action points from Day 1 of this unique event.
With a focus on adversity, trauma and the importance of protective factors, the event focussed on the growing evidence of the impacts of adverse and traumatic experiences and toxic stress throughout life. Traumatic and adverse experiences increase the risk of later development of poor mental health, adverse behavioural responses, and increased risk of physical illnesses.
The event highlighted how joined up working and the development of trusted compassionate services, from preconception through to adult life, can support the development of protective factors and improve resilience. It emphasised the importance of organisations working better together to prevent negative life experiences whilst creating a society that is more connected and healthy.
Over the three days, event attendees were tasked to listen, respond and share evidence, knowledge and practice. There was an emphasis on how grassroots expertise can underpin the shifts in culture and practice needed to achieve the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership vision of ensuring the area is trauma informed and responsive to people’s needs.
The event workshops, led by specialists in the field including those with experience of trauma, highlighted how, when organisations come together to support people at the right time in their life, they can support them better to lead a long, healthy life where possible free from the impact of trauma.
You can read more about the event in the event brochure which includes biographies of the event's amazing guest speakers.
You may also find these event resources, documents, videos and links useful.