Trauma Board Networking Event – Gender Based Violence #Alltogether

As part of the 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence, West Lothian Trauma Board invites you to a powerful Trauma Networking Event focused on supporting the workforce who care for people affected by domestic violence. This gathering will offer space for reflection, learning, and connection, highlighting the impact on frontline professionals and sharing strategies for resilience, wellbeing, and trauma-informed practice.

We are delighted to welcome Myra Ross as our keynote speaker at the event. Myra Ross is a Health Improvement Specialist with NHS Highland, where she promotes trauma-informed approaches to domestic abuse, suicide prevention, and self-harm. She also contributes spoken word poetry to illustrate the emotional impact of trauma. She may be familiar to you for her creation of the “Spider in the Glass” model to help professionals understand the complexities of abusive relationships.

We are honoured to hear a survivor’s personal account of seeking support and navigating services during a period of domestic violence. Her story offers us all a powerful opportunity to reflect on lived experience through a trauma-informed lens.

We will take time to understand the impact of trauma on the workforce. When working with trauma, the helper often carries their own story. We will explore how trauma can affect workers who may also be survivors themselves. Together, we’ll examine both internal and external trauma responses, learn practical ways to resource the body, and develop strategies to manage triggers in the workplace. This session will be led by Jacqueline Dow, an experienced psychotherapist, trainer and consultant specialising in trauma, this session offers a supportive and empowering environment for professionals to deepen their understanding and build resilience. With years of experience and a passion for helping individuals manage trauma symptoms and thrive, Jacqueline brings both expertise and empathy to this important conversation.

From previous events staff have asked for time for networking. There will also be an opportunity to build new connections with colleagues and engage in meaningful dialogue, to strengthen the support systems for those who support others.

The event will conclude at 1.30pm, we ask that staff allow time for reflection and processing before heading back to work. Please remember to look after yourself.

The Trauma Board

The Trauma Board plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction and supporting services embed trauma informed, approaches. Its aims include fostering a compassionate workforce culture, promoting cross sector collaboration, preventing re traumatisation, and driving systemic change through leadership and policy. By prioritising staff wellbeing and encouraging reflective practice, the Board helps build resilient services that respond effectively to trauma. By promote environments

where staff feel safe, supported, and equipped to manage the emotional demands of working with trauma affected individuals.