Trauma Awareness Cards – Healthwatch Essex

Posted on: January 19, 2023

The Healthwatch Essex Trauma Card has been created by the Healthwatch Essex Trauma Ambassador Group, a group of people with lived experience of trauma.

The card is designed to be a tool to empower cardholders to make those they are interacting with aware of when they are experiencing the effects of trauma, and to inform those in receipt of the card about trauma and how to more effectively support, and work with, those living with the effects of trauma.

All Trauma cardholders carry the card to present in health and care settings when they experience a situation which has generated a trigger from them.

Trauma is by nature unpredictable and affects so many areas of life for those who live with it. It can manifest in the most mundane and unexpected of situations; for example, at a dental appointment or visiting a chiropractor, chatting with another carer at a support group or taking your child for a health check. It can result in the individual withdrawing and disengaging from these services, which leaves them in a position where they may not receive the level of care and support that they need and are entitled to.

The Healthwatch Essex Trauma Ambassador Group have created the Trauma Card as a tool to empower cardholders to make those they are interacting with aware of when they are experiencing the effects of trauma, and to inform those in receipt of the card about trauma and how to more effectively support, and work with, those living with the effects of trauma.

If you would like to carry a trauma card, or speak to someone about the project, please contact our Information & Guidance team:

Telephone 0300 500 1895

Email info@healthwatchessex.org.uk

Text/WhatsApp 07712395398