From Words to Action: What Trauma-Informed Care Really Mean

As part of the Counting Culture campaign, we’re bringing together voices that highlight how culture, creativity and lived experience intersect with wider systems of care and support. In this post, contributors from Healthwatch Essex reflect on the realities of trauma-informed practice—exploring the gap between intention and lived experience. Drawing on insights from the Trauma Ambassador Group, the piece highlights the complex, often invisible impact of trauma, and the importance of embedding understanding, empathy and creative approaches within services to ensure people receive the care they need and deserve.

‘Trauma informed’ is a phrase that we see a lot of in relation to our health, care and wellbeing services; so much so that, for the greater part, the phrase has become invisible to many of us. For those actually living with the effects of trauma, however, those words mean so much more – hope, reassurance, belief and relief.

But the question that invoked the creation of the Healthwatch Essex Trauma Ambassador Group was whether this pledge actually translated into trauma survivors receiving the trauma informed care which they need, and deserve, in practice.

Initiatives from the Trauma Ambassador Group have highlighted the importance of trauma informed practice in health care, such as our Trauma Cards and the Cervical Screening Campaign, but have also illustrated the relevance of creative expression as a therapeutic outlet, such as via our Expressions of Trauma exhibition. This work highlights how an holistic approach to supporting those living with trauma is crucial and continues to be developed and expanded upon.

So, what exactly is trauma? It can be defined as an event, or series of events, which are very stressful, frightening, distressing and/or disturbing. Causes of trauma include domestic abuse, sexual abuse, exposure to crime and bereavement; however it is very much an individual reaction and there is no exhaustive list of causes.  Trauma can be triggered at any stage in a person’s life and occurs when some kind of external factor causes them to recall the event which was traumatic to them. Again, triggers are very personal and hugely varied, but some common examples can include a smell, visual object or a certain word or phrase. The reactions caused by trauma are equally unique but often can be likened to the symptoms of a panic attack.

Living with trauma is complex; its impact is significant and affects us on every level, yet many of us do not show any visible signs of its place in our lives. It’s also incredibly hard to predict when something may trigger us, and this creates a huge amount of worry, fear, apprehension and avoidance when accessing services. When we do become triggered, we may well need to retreat, shut down on an emotional and/or communicative level, or to react with a desire to protect ourselves. Reactions can manifest on a physical, emotional and psychological manner and have a huge impact on the individual personally, not just in the moment when the trigger occurs but for some time after. They can be hugely debilitating and distressing for the individual concerned.

We have heard of many examples where trauma simply isn’t picked up on by services; the dentist who unknowingly told the patient that he ‘wouldn’t kiss her with a mouth like that’ when she was a survivor of oral rape, and the cervical screening practitioner who responded to a patient’s distress at the procedure by saying ‘for goodness sake, what’s wrong with you; have you been raped or something’, which was precisely the case. We gasp in shock upon hearing such statements, yet they are not isolated or rare, nor are they borne from malice or contempt. The simple fact is that we use the word trauma as part of our everyday vocabulary, but rarely do we actually see it. Trauma survivors are so often labelled as uncooperative, difficult, unwilling to engage, and one could argue that this is the easier option for the professional than stopping to ask themselves what this person’s life experiences may be, how this has affected them, and why may they be presenting in this way.

One in every two people in the UK may have experienced trauma in their lives, yet living with trauma is a health inequality in itself, and we need to do better for those who are already doing their best.

If this resonates, now’s the moment to speak up.
Made in Essex is creating a Prospectus to put the creative and cultural sector’s priorities in front of Greater Essex’s new political leaders this July.

‍So — what needs to change?
How can we better embed trauma-informed approaches, support wellbeing, and use creativity to improve how people experience services and spaces across Essex?

‍No idea is too big or too small.
Whether you have 1 idea or 10, tell us what you want to see happen.

There’s no right way to respond.
Send bullet points. Record a quick selfie video. Snap a photo of a scribbled note. However you want to do it, add your voice here: madeinessex.org.uk/take-part

‍Counting Culture is open until 24 May.
If you work across Essex—in health, culture, community or beyond—this is your chance to help shape a more understanding, inclusive and responsive future.

‍With thanks to Healthwatch Essex and the Trauma Ambassador Group for sharing their insight and lived experience.