Programme Roadmap 

 

Phase 1: Invitation & Engagement 

This phase focuses on engaging organisations,, highlighting value to them and their beneficiaries of becoming trauma-responsive. and inviting them to take part in the collaborative.

Organisations who express interest will receive a targeted invitation recognising the importance of their work and the complexity of the communities they support. The invitation will introduce the collaboration as a funded or commissioned shared learning opportunity, emphasising that this is not training or assessment, but a space for reflection and development.

Expressions of interest will be collated, with follow-up contact made to ensure inclusive engagement across a system. Queries from organisations will be supported to build early trust and understanding.

Outcome:
A cohort of interested organisations engaged and informed about the opportunity.

 

Phase 2: Introductory Webinar 

A live online session will be delivered by Dr Zoe Rivers to introduce the process in more depth.

This session will outline the purpose, structure and aims of the programme, share learning and outcomes from previous pilot work, and provide space for questions. It will support organisations to make an informed decision about participation.

Organisations who wish to proceed will be asked to nominate:

• A service lead or decision-maker, and

• A Trauma Awareness Champion

Outcome:
A confirmed group of participating organisations with identified representatives.

 

Phase 3: Organisational Self-Reflection 

Organisations will engage in a guided self-reflection process using a co-produced self-assessment tool.

This will be facilitated by a clinical psychology trainee, ideally in situ within organisational settings or at a central venue. The process supports organisations to reflect on how their:

• Physical environments

• Relationships

• Policies and processes

• Leadership and governance

contribute to (or can enhance) psychological safety, trust and inclusion.

This is a supported reflective process, not an assessment or audit. It highlights existing strengths as well as opportunities for development.

Completion of this stage is required to progress to the workshops, ensuring engagement and commitment.

Outcome:
Completed organisational reflections identifying strengths and areas for enhancement.

 

Phase 4: Shared Learning Workshop 1 – Understanding Experience 

The first workshop provides a facilitated space for organisations to come together and explore how trauma, adversity and stress show up within organisational contexts.

The session focuses on:

• Building shared understanding of relational trauma

• Normalising experiences across organisations

• Exploring the relational and systemic impact of adversity

• Understanding key areas of trauma informed principles

It creates a foundation for peer learning and connection across the network.

Outcome:
Increased awareness and shared language across participating organisations.

 

Phase 5: Shared Learning Workshop 2 – Developing Practice

The second workshop supports organisations to translate reflection and understanding into practical development.

Participants will explore:

• How to strengthen safety, trust and collaboration

• Ways to adapt environments, relationships and systems

• Realistic, meaningful changes within their organisational context including reducing retraumatisation and disruption of intergenerational trauma

The focus is on feasible, strengths-based development, rather than wholesale change.

Outcome:
Clear ideas for organisational adaptations and improvements.

 

Phase 6: Pledges & Action Planning 

Organisations will take part in a final session to develop three clear pledges to their community.

These pledges will reflect:

• Their learning through the collaborative

• Their commitment to ongoing development in 3 areas, ideally including environment, processes and leadership

• Practical steps they will take to enhance trauma-informed practice

Pledges may be shared publicly (e.g. websites, community platforms, physical spaces) to promote transparency and accountability.

Outcome:
Three defined pledges per organisation, forming the basis of ongoing change.

 

Phase 7: Culture Carrier Development 

Participating organisations will be invited to step into a “culture carrier” role, supporting the wider dissemination of learning.

This phase focuses on:

• Identifying organisations willing to share their experience

• Building confidence to contribute to wider delivery & identifying engagement spaces (eg. meetings, social media, existing relations)

• Supporting light-touch preparation for co-facilitation

This strengthens ownership and sustainability of the work across the sector.

Outcome:
A group of organisations prepared to support wider sector engagement.

 

Phase 8: Sector-Wide Dissemination Workshops 

Several times a year, larger workshops will be delivered to wider system, co-facilitated by the project team and participating organisations.

These sessions will:

• Share learning and experiences from the collaborative

• Introduce trauma-informed approaches in an accessible way

• Offer a condensed version of the reflection and development process

• Offer self-assessment and pledge activities

This may include interactive elements such as paired reflection exercises, team activities, enabling wider participation.

Outcome:
Expanded reach across the sector and increased engagement in trauma-informed approaches.

 

Phase 9: Evaluation & Next Steps 

The final phase focuses on reviewing the impact of the collaborative and planning for sustainability.

This includes:

• Gathering feedback from participating organisations

• Reviewing outcomes and learning

• Identifying opportunities for future development and scaling

This phase supports alignment with wider Trafford and Greater Manchester priorities.

Outcome:
Evaluation summary and clear direction for future phases of the work.

 

Overall Programme Outcome

A growing network of Trafford VCFSE organisations who are:

• More confident in understanding and responding to trauma and adversity

• Developing psychologically safe and relationally supportive environments

• Contributing to a wider culture of trauma-informed community development