This project consisted of me researching a relatively recent, suggestively effective intervention for the treatment of trauma survivors. The model uses psychoeducation to teach trauma survivors about trauma and its effects on the body and mind. The model integrates various psychotherapeutic approaches, such as Mindfulness, Internal Family Systems, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. I adapted this framework in order for it to be compatible in a group setting. The five PowerPoint sessions I created spanned across a 5-week period, and were delivered in person, at Redwood Glades Assisted Living Centre, in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. The sessions ran from 21/06/2022 to 19/07/2022. Residents were interviewed to determine suitability for the group and to ensure safeguarding. Two assessments were used to the same end. Four group members were confirmed to be attendees.

There was an immediate issue with group members becoming overwhelmed, triggered, and leaving, initially returning the following week to try again. This issue of triggering was addressed by discussing the events with the clients, and agreeing to run through the PowerPoint slides with them prior to the next workshop, during their weekly MIND check-ins. This seemed to help to a degree, as it removed the element of surprise for the clients as they saw the slides in the group. Over the weeks, two clients seemed to find the content interesting and engaging and reported an increased self-awareness, along with a greater ability to verbalise their struggles and experiences, and increased wellbeing. However, two clients found the group setting itself too uncomfortable to continue and ceased attendance - they would have preferred one-to-one.

Prior to workshop 3, I had a one-to-one appointment with one of the group members who found the group setting itself too much. It came to my attention later on, that despite cessation of the workshops, this client was coping notably better than they had been, following a one-to-one discussion of the workshop content with me, a few weeks on, which really made me question the suitability of the group setting for some clients.

Weeks 4 and 5 did not go ahead with any clients due to their physical illness; one client living with cancer had endured a significant medication change, and the other client living with a head injury also felt unwell.

Instead, I delivered workshops 4 and 5 to James and Taf. James was part of my team for this project at MIND, and Taf was his university placement student. James stated how he had been using the tools he had picked up from the workshops, in his one-to-one communications with his clients, and that this seemed to be helping the clients. It has become strikingly clear that one target audience of my workshops should be mental health workers / carers / students etc. The workshops can help to ensure those working with trauma survivors are more trauma-informed, and that they possess tools to intervene and help trauma survivors. This should benefit the trauma survivors in their care, without expecting them to show up to, and participate in a potentially triggering weekly group. This approach could be particularly useful at assisted living centres like Redwood Glades, and perhaps also for the staff and patients of mental health inpatient hospitals.

I think my workshops could still have potential with some trauma survivors too, but under different circumstances: the group members at Redwood Glades live there because they need assistance with day-to-day living. Things like keeping appointments at their apartments, turning up to groups and participating all quickly became very apparent as major struggles for many of the residents. As such, those to be considered for future groups would include members who are able to tolerate their traumatic memories to a degree and live independently. These individuals should have already worked extensively on their symptoms, with a professional, and gained a level of awareness over how their past trauma affects them and their lives. I think my approach could compliment previous one-to-one therapy, increase trauma survivor's levels of self-awareness and autonomy, and importantly, I think group members who have already been through some trauma-based therapy, will have enough awareness and tolerance to be able to participate in the group and to gain helpful tools to take forward with them, without feeling triggered and overwhelmed. Assessing group suitability for each client is paramount for safeguarding.

On a personal level, designing and leading this project has taught me a lot. I learned I can in fact deliver workshops despite my own high levels of anxiety. I also learned I could identify issues and problem-solve in stressful situations. I learned that despite my social anxiety, and my preference for working alone, I actually work very well as part of a team. Something that surprised me was how much better the project went because I was part of a team. Ideas flowed freely and solutions appeared out of our debriefs. I’m not sure I would have reached such effective solutions on my own, or at least not as quickly or as well as we did as a team. As such, I have a new confidence in myself as a leader, as someone who can work under pressure, and as someone who is able to, and who can enjoy, working as part of a team. I feel as though the project will have a lasting positive impact with some of the clients I worked with, and I feel as though we worked hard to safeguard those who found it overwhelming. I am very grateful to the Laidlaw foundation and to HEY MIND for their support, and for making this project possible.