About this course
This course explores the responses of communities and organisations experiencing trauma. It is aimed at increasing the abilities of these different groups to effectively manage the personal impact of a trauma.
In nearly all work places there is the chance of being exposed to trauma. This is in the form of difficult or distressing circumstances. This could be the sudden death or suicide of a colleague. Or within a school due to the death of a child or young person. Or there maybe violence towards staff, serious accidents or injuries, burglary or the wider effect of a major incident occurring locally or nationally.
Communities can be similarly traumatised due to natural events. For example, landslides or flooding, or because of human intent. For example, acts of terrorism.
Some organisations are considered to be at higher risk of exposure to trauma. For example, the police or mental health services. Because the risk is acknowledged to be higher, these organisations often fair better in the aftermath of an incident. This is in comparison with organisations which are considered to be at lower risk. This is because they will have the benefit of experience from managing previous incidents and well established plans and procedures.
Communities or organisations comprising volunteers may not have the same degree of training, team support or infrastructure to draw from. This is when compared to other more established emergency services.
What helps make communities be more or less resilient?
- Whether there is a sense of connection and care for one another. How many local community groups there are for example, might help show this.
- The number of free places where people can meet, for example youth centres.
- The amount of affordable local transport, so people can meet and go about their everyday lives.
- How far public services exist that can help people both every day and in times of crisis.
- How many people live in poverty which causes them distress and make them less able alone or together to cope with crises.
- Whether crime rates are high and make communities less safe and trusting of each other.
Resilient communities and countries also help people to have
- A purpose in life.
- A valued place in a social group.
- Control over their own lives.
You can read more about how individuals can be resilient at Bouncing forward (Opens in a new tab)
Course aims
- To explore some of the possible organisational responses to staff wellbeing.
- To consider how to manage life and death outcomes.
- To find out about the recovery phase.
- To explore the different avenues of support and management styles.