Forming part of a wider programme that is being funded by the government, Changing Futures is designed to help adults who are experiencing multiple disadvantages improve their life circumstances.
What are multiple disadvantages?
Substance misuse, homelessness, domestic abuse, being known to the criminal justice system and mental health issues are all challenging circumstances individually, and a person can be said to have multiple disadvantages if they have experience of three or more of these issues.
The link between multiple disadvantages and trauma
Almost every person who has multiple disadvantages also has experience of trauma. Trauma can have a hugely detrimental impact on a person’s mental health and may mean that they don’t feel safe to engage with key services.
What will Changing Futures achieve?
It is hoped that the Changing Futures programme will ultimately improve the wellbeing and recovery of people who have multiple disadvantages by adopting trauma-informed practices that meet even the most complex needs.
By working with people who have lived experience of trauma and other trauma-informed organisations, the Changing Futures programme aims to make a positive difference in several key ways.
– Service accessibility
Changing Futures will help to improve local services and ensure that they are easily accessible by those who need them. This will involve supporting staff to provide long-term solutions to ensure every person’s needs are met.
– Equality and diversity
Additionally, Changing Futures will promote diversity and equality by including those who have lived experience throughout the process of designing new, more effective services.
– Inform policy
Changing Futures will take key learnings and ensure they are used to improve government policy, future programmes, and new services.
The value of trauma informed training
Trauma informed training, such as the program that can be found here tidaltraining.co.uk/mental-health-courses/trauma-informed-practice-training, focuses on equipping staff with the skills to use strengths-based approaches designed to provide an empowering level of emotional, physical and psychological safety.
How will Changing Futures achieve these aims?
The project will explore how organisations can use trauma-informed strategies to better support those with multiple disadvantages. This process of understanding will consider the current barriers that are preventing the provision of effective trauma-informed services and how to overcome those barriers.