Last September, child protection counsellors from Integrated Violence Prevention & Response Services (IVPRS) came out to our Koolyangarra Aboriginal Family Centre to run a Talking about Trauma Workshop.
This workshop revealed that we had barely scraped the surface when talking about trauma. We had such a positive response to this workshop from the local community that we then developed a pilot project with IVPRS and started an 8 Week “Talking About Trauma Program” with Aboriginal families, with an extra week in the middle of the program for a pamper day!
The program allowed individuals to explore complex trauma, understand their triggers, promote self-awareness and be supported during this process.
By having this program run at the culturally safe space that is Koolyangarra Aboriginal Family Centre, it allowed participants to be completely open, honest and comfortable sharing their own personal experiences.
We would like to thank Jem Maddox & Jenny Deighton Shapcott (Child Protection Counsellors) from IVPRS for being such amazing facilitators. You were highly skilled, professional, engaging, non-judgemental, and showed genuine empathy during the entire program and have made an impact on those dealing and living with the aftermath of complex trauma.
The ladies were each given a Native Kangaroo Paw Plant as a gift for completing the program. The plant represents their personal growth and progress.
This program is a pathway for us as NCNS workers to link families we are already connected with to long term specialised services. This is such an important partnership that will continue with plans to run another 9-week Trauma Program in Term 4.
The women who participated have continued supporting each other after completion of the program by sharing contact details to develop their own support group.
If you would like more information about this program please contact us on info@nepeancommunity.org.au
Trauma Program Pamper Day
