VCSE Workshops: Developing Trauma Informed Understanding
What is the ‘Developing Trauma-Informed Understanding’ workshop?
Derbyshire Mind partnered with Space Counselling and Derbyshire County Council Public Health Department to deliver free workshops on trauma-informed approaches for the voluntary and charity sector. We supported individuals and organisations to grow their knowledge and confidence in trauma-informed ways of working.
The workshops ran throughout 2025 and were available to any member of VCSE organisations in Derbyshire or Derby City that provide support to the residents of Derbyshire.
Attendee Feedback
After attending a workshops, people were asked to complete a short feedback form about their experience. Below are some of the things we learned:
“Excellent, inclusive, engaging—great mix of discussion and activities.”
“The trainer kept it real. The session was practical, emotional, and useful.”
“So valuable. Please run more of these, and bring them into full organisations.”
“Thank you—today made me realise how I can be more compassionate with both colleagues and clients.”
What barriers are there to developing trauma-informed approaches?
• Funding and capacity – Small teams, limited time, and overstretched resources
• Lack of training – Especially for senior leaders or those newer to the concept
• Physical spaces – Few private or quiet areas for safe conversations
• Organisational systems – Policies and KPI’s sometimes misaligned with trauma-informed values
• Cultural factors – From stigma to internal resistance to change
Moving forward, we’re going to…
• Rethink how we understand behaviour
• Increase choice and safety in our services
• Embed wellness action plans—for clients and staff
• Review policies, referral systems, and environments to avoid re-traumatisation
• Offer more flexible, accessible support options (e.g. zoom, whatsapp, video guides)
• Share trauma-informed thinking across our teams, networks, and leadership
This course helped me realise how much we’re already doing—and how we can do even better.
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