Trauma Informed Plymouth Network

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Trauma Informed Plymouth Network

Welcome to the Trauma Informed Plymouth Network, a space that offers connection and embraces the value of trusted & healthy relationships.

We celebrate the strength, personal growth, innovation & creativity that can grow from adversity and trauma.

07/07/2026

From Survival to Systemic Change: Spotlighting the Experience of Women in Family Courts 💜Full story & gallery available via link in comments.
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On Friday 27 June, members of our team joined Red and Biddy from Becoming Arethusa CiC to help host their conference and art exhibition at Market Hall. 'From Survival to Systemic Change' put a spotlight on the experiences of women in the family courts, with a powerful lineup of speakers covering domestic abuse, gender bias, and systemic reform.

Alongside the conference was 'In My Shoes,' an art installation where over 50 women who described themselves as survivors exhibited work created through art therapy sessions. Some of those sessions were hosted right here at Improving Lives, with women we support directly. Lived experience, creativity, and advocacy all in one room.

It was a humbling day and we're honoured to have played a small part. Thank you to Deb, Sue and Nancy for giving their time, to everyone who helped signpost women to the art therapy workshops, and to our wonderful speakers listed below. Most of all, thank you to Becoming Arethusa CiC for shining such a creative light on something that matters so much. 💜

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Speakers Included:
Fleur Beuchler | Domestic Abuse Trainer and Behaviour Change Team Lead at Barnardo's Plymouth
Meghan Elizabeth Field | Plymouth City Council VAWG Strategic Lead
Professor Lara Feigel | Writer and Cultural Historian at King's College London
Dr Lucy Johnstone | Clinical Psychologist and Author of ‘Users and Abusers of Psychiatry’
Lauren Taylor | Chartered Legal Executive at The Family Law Company
Dr Kim Heyes | Associate Professor of Inequalities and Abuse Manchester Metropolitan University

16/03/2026

Language is powerful.

Every day we use words that carry weight. They shape how people are seen and treated, often without us even realising it.

As part of our commitment to safer, trauma-informed practice, we highlight everyday language that can unintentionally cause harm, based on what we’ve learned from our network and community.

This month’s focus: the word “abscond.”
(Inspired by strengths-based practice work with colleagues at Nottinghamshire County Council.)

“Abscond” is often used when someone leaves a place without permission or isn’t where they’re expected to be. In systems shaped by rules, risk, and safeguarding responsibilities, the word can quickly frame the situation as non-compliance or wrongdoing.

But behaviour always has context.

Someone leaving a setting might be:
• seeking safety
• responding to fear
• trying to regain a sense of control
• moving toward somewhere they feel safer

Using the term “absconding” can unintentionally suggest blame or deliberate defiance—and may miss the reality of someone’s experience.

Trauma-informed practice invites curiosity.

Instead of asking:
❓ “Why did they abscond?”

We might ask:
💬 “What might have led them to leave?”
💬 “Where might they feel safer right now?”

Small shifts in language help keep the focus on safety, understanding, and support.

Alternatives that can help:
• “…often visits places where they feel safer”
• “…is not currently where they might be expected to be”
• “…often leaves when they feel unsafe”
• “…is believed to be at risk because they are not at home”
• “…may be being coerced into being somewhere they do not choose to be”

These changes might feel unfamiliar at first. But noticing how our language frames people and their experiences is an important part of trauma-informed care.

💚 Compassionate language is one of the simplest tools we have. Let’s use it well.

09/03/2026

In times of international crisis, the impact is not only political. It is also deeply personal.

As a network committed to trauma-informed approaches, we recognise that global events can have very real effects within ourselves and our communities. Some of our members, colleagues, or the people they support may be worried about loved ones abroad right now.

If this situation affects you, or someone you know, you may find this resource from the British Red Cross helpful.

Link in comments ❤

Please take care of yourselves and each other during these uncertain times.

02/03/2026

We’re delighted to welcome you to our third Listening Space, helping shape the future of the Trauma Informed Plymouth Network Healthcare Branch 💊

This branch is for anyone curious about healthcare trauma, whether as a professional or a patient. All are welcome who want to better understand trauma informed approaches, connect primary and secondary care, reduce isolation, and learn alongside others in a supportive space that strengthens us all.

Our first two sessions had rich, meaningful conversations. We explored gaps in formal training, the pressures and secondary trauma staff are exposed to, how presentations of trauma can fly under the radar, and the power of small relational moments like breathing time, eye contact, listening, and dignity in care.

This community is growing, and so is local commitment to doing healthcare differently! Join us on 19/03/2026, you don't need to bring anything but yourself ❤

RSVP 👉 https://traumainformedplymouth.org/healthcare-redirect
📅 19/03/2026 | 18:30 - 19:30
🖥 MS Teams Meeting | Scan the QR Code or RSVP to receive link.

Email directly for queries and questions.

27/02/2026

We’d love to come and meet you 🤝

Thank you to Lucy, Lilian and the team at Gifted Women for welcoming us last month, as we continue our efforts to build stronger, more impactful Network connections across our services, and the communities we all serve.

Gifted Women is a real space of change, and you can feel that as soon as you walk in the room. They offer up to 18 months of free, tailored support, helping women facing complex challenges move towards stability, confidence and sustainable employment.

During our visit, we tangibly felt the joy at the heart of their vision. We had rich conversations about trauma informed conflict resolution, the difference between being ‘nice’ and being truly ‘kind’, and how thoughtful organisational responses can create safer spaces for growth.

We’re keen to keep the momentum going and develop this partnership in ways that make a real difference locally. 💛

20/02/2026

Our Physical Activity Branch was proud to be represented at the Celebration of Women in Sport at Home Park Stadium on Wednesday ⚽

Branch lead Hayley Knight hosted a stand on the day, connecting with many of the 4,000 attendees about the role of relationships in change, healing, and growth. We heard powerful stories of how trust and connection have supported post traumatic growth for individuals and organisations alike. It was a humbling reminder of the strong appetite for trauma informed approaches across the sector 💬

It also brought to mind Karen Treisman’s mantra: when we lean into our most wholesome relational instincts, we are often already practising in a trauma informed way 🌱

10/02/2026

Unfortunately, the Families branch meetings scheduled for tomorrow have been postponed due to circumstances beyond our control. This applies to both the in-person and online sessions.

We know this is short notice and appreciate if you had the time set aside. We are working with branch leads Carly and Kirsty to confirm a new date and will share details as soon as possible.

Our sincere apologies, and we hope you can join us when the meetings are rescheduled.

09/02/2026

As our partners at Changing Futures Plymouth bring their programme to an end, their focus has turned to sharing their learning as much as possible. This webinar is a chance to benefit from years of local learning, insight into preventing multiple disadvantage, and invite others to consider how this can be applied within their own services and roles.

Explore local understandings of multiple disadvantage, prevention models, workforce enablers, and the wider system impact. We have seen first-hand the impact of this work on people, services, and systems across the city. The benefits are extraordinary ❤

We are sharing this to give as many people as possible the opportunity to learn from the programme!

Live webinar, Tuesday 3 March, 13:30 to 15:30.
To join, email [email protected] and the link will be shared.

03/02/2026

A couple weeks ago we delivered trauma-informed workforce training to 23 people from the Ocean Conservation Trust, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, and Poole Farm, many at the start of their conservation careers.

As Vicky said, the setting at Poole Farm really made all the difference. Being able to learn outdoors (even in the rain!), with space to ground and regulate was amazing. A supportive pup even helped created exactly the kind of safe environment trauma-informed work requires!

Early feedback tells us the training resonated deeply. As one participant shared: "It was lovely to sit under the warm sun of Vicky's huge experience with the training, and to make some small steps into thinking how I could bring my full self to delivery too."

Grateful to everyone who showed up ready to learn and grow. 🌳

19/12/2025

📢 Women and Girls in Plymouth | Public Health Annual Report 2025 out now 📢

KEY DATA POINTS:

Women in Plymouth:

• Live on average 67.6% of their lives in good health, well below the England average of 74.5%.
• Have lost 5.5 years of healthy life expectancy between 2016 and 2023.
• Are estimated at around 36,000 women experiencing at least one form of harassment each year.
• Are among the most affected by preventable causes of ill health, with cancer, dementia and chronic respiratory disease the leading causes of death.

Thank you to everyone who supported the listening activities run by Improving Lives Plymouth over the summer, co-facilitated so thoughtfully by Loren and Sue from Changing Futures Plymouth. Particular thanks to those who shared their experiences through any channel.

These voices helped highlight what matters most and will shape health and wellbeing conversations across our services for the foreseeable future.

Our utmost thank you to the teams from Plymouth City Council and Thrive Plymouth For the full story and to hear the voices of the contributors, find the report in our first comment.

Address

Plymouth

Website

http://www.traumainformedplymouth.org/

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