We are a group of people who have varied lived experiences of trauma. Our goal is to challenge stigma and make things better for everyone involved. We do this by sharing our own experiences and using them to influence health and social care systems, professionals and carers in helping roles, and the wider community
Trauma is really complex, and for a long time, people mostly saw it from a biomedical angle. Things are starting to change for the better, but we all view trauma differently and are at different points in our own journey. Being part of the Experiences of Trauma collective advocacy group has made us feel more connected and confident in making a difference – especially by sharing views that aren’t just based on a medical point of view.
Through CAPS Independent Advocacy, we have found a space that is trauma aware, where we can come together, support each other, and make our voices heard. It also gives us the strength to challenge systems that try to ignore our own experiences and keep unfair power structures in place.
Many of us have experienced being disbelieved about our trauma, with this rejection adding on to the harm we have already experienced. As a result, we have often had to turn to third sector organisations for the essential support we need. Nowadays, with waiting lists for assessments and the shift from psychiatric hospitals to community-based services, third sector organisations like CAPS have been where we have found support to manage when there are gaps. With our peers we can learn to develop skills and tools for wellbeing, until the root causes can be addressed.
The loss of collective advocacy groups would also undermine the NHS’s stated commitment to patient-centred care. Collective advocacy helps build a bridge between people who have lived through trauma and health professionals. Speaking to psychologists or psychiatrists can be intimidating, and even more so when it comes to challenging their views. As a collective it’s easier to challenge decisions made without your input. If you take away one of the few ways our voices can be heard, you risk providing lower quality care.
Over the past ten years, our group has been involved in several important projects that brought lived experience into key conversations and service planning. These include:
- Input into the redesign of the Rivers Centre to ensure it is safe, accessible and welcoming.
- Provided feedback on the NES National Trauma Training Programme (Level 1);
- Contributions to the Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership (EADP) Lived Experience Strategy.
We also created and deliver a lived experience workshop called ‘Here and Now’, which highlights holistic, person-centred narratives, learning and reflection, grounded in strength, insight, creativity and growth – offering an alternative to the illness and deficit-based lens through which trauma is so often seen.
Losing this collective advocacy group would mean the end of this valuable, impactful work. Our voices matter, and without platforms like this, they are at risk of being silenced.
As one member stated – “The EOT group is a trauma informed pathway. The foundations concretising this route are developed from lived experience. We are using our adversities to create hope and advance how we compassionately support others. This space helps us to nurture safely and ultimately grow as people. That is impactful in ways that allows members to be seen, heard, valued and included. Essential for people processing or sharing trauma experiences”.
Read more testimonials here.