Trauma-exposed organisations to benefit from new funding

Organisations which work with traumatised individuals will receive bespoke support from Trauma Treatment International following a grant from Postcode Society Trust.

The funding of £18,000 has gone towards a new Clinical Lead in the south-east of England, where there is a substantial number of organisations working with victims of extreme violence such as torture, trafficking, slavery and war.

The staff of these organisations are themselves at risk of vicarious trauma as a result of their work, with many exhibiting signs of anxiety, depression and burnout. These issues have only been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, with an ever-rising demand for their services and the added pressures of remote working.

Thanks to the Postcode Society Trust funding, we can now deliver trauma support directly to these staff, and carry out monitoring and evaluation to ensure that we are providing the optimum evidence-based services.

TTI CEO Quen Geuter said: “We know from our existing work with organisations like Women for Refugee Women, Hibiscus and Hostage International that there is an increasing need for mental health support for these frontline workers.

“Indeed, over the last 12 months, our working relationships with UK organisations have increased by 500 per cent. The funding from Postcode Society Trust will enable us to develop further partnerships, and help more individuals who are struggling due to the intensity of their work.”

Without timely and effective treatment, trauma can be extremely debilitating, affecting all aspects of one’s life. But with support, organisations can expect improved staff wellbeing, measured by a reduction in sick days and lower burnout rates.

Our support will also provide organisations with the tools to become trauma-informed, through the introduction of new policies and systems. In turn, this will give them greater capacity to treat and help their beneficiaries.

Quen added: “We are extremely grateful to Postcode Society Trust for funding this vital work for a year. Our experience shows that it will have a real and long-lasting impact on the people and organisations we support.”

Postcode Society Trust is a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.