Impact Review 2025/26: Adversity and Trauma HIT

Training: ‘Trauma Informed in Research Matters’

The HIT led the development and rollout of the BNSSG Trauma Informed in Research Matters training delivered by Second Step (a community based organisation that has expertise in mental health). The training aims to help researchers and voluntary sector colleagues to be more trauma aware and sensitive within their research practice.

A two-year training programme has been jointly funded by Bristol Health Partners, ARC West, the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (BNSSG ICB) and Second Step. As of April 2026, more than 100 colleagues had been trained, and the programme is on track to deliver its target of 160 target to be trained by January 2027.

Evaluation has showed that the training has had an extremely positive impact. It been recognised as an important resource to support changes in research culture through improved understanding of how to engage and coproduce research with people who have lived experience of adversity, trauma and mental health challenges.

Trauma informed system evaluation

The HIT has supported a trauma informed systems evaluation.  This has reviewed trauma informed work across providers and public services to identify best practice, as well as key barriers and opportunities to extend trauma informed practice within our region.

HIT co-directors are working on outputs from this evaluation. This will include case studies to inspire actions around implementing trauma-informed practice, an academic paper detailing the evaluation, and an accompanying policy brief.

The HIT will use these outputs to work with key stakeholders to determine priorities for the year ahead.