Civil Emergencies - Trauma Support Service
In the aftermath of a major incident, many people will be deeply affected by their experiences of it – survivors and survivors families and friends, bereaved families and friends, responders and the local community.
When faced with a major trauma or personal crisis, it is common to experience strong emotional and physical reactions. This is normal and is a way of dealing with what has happened.
Each person’s response to a crisis is different and feelings may vary in intensity and last for different amounts of time. Some people will need trauma support in the immediate aftermath of such an incident but in a short time they will have recovered sufficiently to re-adjust to some sort of normality.
Some, however, will need a higher level of trauma support for some time after the incident and a few will continue to need this support over many years.
In the aftermath of a major incident affecting residents or visitors, we work closely with voluntary and statutory agencies - teams of trained, skilled, organised and supported volunteers from organisations can assist in meeting the practical and emotional needs of individuals in centres that have been set up, or in their homes. The support includes:
- Assistance with communication
- Care of children and pets
- Clothing, bedding
- Documentation
- Emotional support, befriending, listening
- First aid and health care
- Liaison with other organisations
- Medical and mobility aid equipment e.g. wheelchairs
- Refreshments
- Sign-posting to other organisations
- Transport
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