ORGANISATIONS across the region are being urged to sign-up to a 'trauma charter'.

The initiative aims to raise awareness of, and prevent, trauma and adversity West Yorkshire-wide.

Such issues impacting children can include neglect, abuse, violence, poverty and discrimination, and adults may be dealing with complex challenges.

Health chiefs say affected youngsters are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and conditions such as diabetes later in life, and adults may be more prone to developing addictions, experiencing suicidal thoughts and struggling with work.

Spearheading the charter is the West Yorkshire Adversity, Trauma and Resilience Programme.

The programme – jointly delivered by West Yorkshire's Health and Care, and Violence Reduction, partnerships – was established in June, 2020, and brings together around 600 members from across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

A spokesperson says: "Membership is inclusive of all five West Yorkshire areas – Bradford District and Craven, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.

"Represented sectors range from housing, police and criminal justice to sports, education, healthcare and companies, including those from the financial and corporate events fields. The success of the West Yorkshire model has attracted interest from other parts of the country."

Emm Irving, head of improving population health at West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, encourages organisations to get involved in the charter.

She adds: "Making services and systems trauma-informed is a big, ongoing effort that requires time and resources. If organisations complete a readiness checklist, they can think about how their services currently work and what changes they need to make before committing to the charter.

"Connecting organisations and communities in West Yorkshire allows us to understand services better, acknowledge people's needs and experiences, and prevent more trauma."

Detective Chief Supt Lee Berry, director of the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership, says: "Trauma can be the catalyst for future harm, not just among individuals, but families and communities.

"By recognising this and acting as a partnership, we can pre-empt and counter experiences of serious violence, whilst supporting better public health.

"I would call on others across West Yorkshire to join us in the journey to becoming a trauma-informed system by 2030. We can help you to meet any gaps and be part of the charter.

"The charter is based on key principles like safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, mutual understanding, giving people a voice and choices, empowerment and cultural sensitivity."

For more about the charter, visit wypartnership.co.uk/our-priorities/population-health-management/adversity-trauma-and-resilience/west-yorkshire-trauma-informed-charter