Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP)’s Health Improvement Team staff has recently been working with the Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS) to increase awareness around the impact childhood trauma can have on individuals and society. 
 
Growing up with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) – such as abuse, neglect, community violence, homelessness or growing up in a household where adults are experiencing mental health issues or harmful alcohol or drug use – can have a long-lasting effect on people's lives and wellbeing. Research has revealed significant links between childhood trauma and future brain development, affecting both behaviour and health outcomes.

With funding and resources from Health Improvement, GCVS has arranged a series of screenings of the films 'Resilience – The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope' and 'Paper Tigers'.  Screenings are followed by a question and answer session with a panel of experienced professionals and practitioners working across Children's services in Glasgow.

The documentary 'Resilience: The Biology of Stress and The Science of Hope' focuses on early years children and families. The film delves into the science behind ACEs and explores ways to address and prevent the emotional and physical impacts toxic stress can have on the body. 

The film ‘Paper Tigers’ follows a year-in-the-life of an alternative high school in the United States. The school has radically changed its approach to disciplining its students, becoming a promising model for how to break the cycles of poverty, violence and disease that affect families. Following six students over the course of a school year, we see staff try a new approach to discipline: one based on understanding and treatment rather than judgment and suspension. The film shows that just one caring adult can help interrupt the impact of trauma, repeat challenging behaviours and the cycle of poverty in a young person’s life.

Marjorie Gaughan, our HSCP’s Health Improvement Lead for Childhood Adversity, said: “Psychological trauma, including adverse and traumatic experiences in childhood and adulthood, is more common than is often assumed. Many people will recover without the need for professional therapy or treatment, but if those affected are not supported, it can have a range of negative consequences.  A trauma informed workforce can help interrupt this flow. These screenings have developed an interest in trauma informed practice across our Glasgow networks.

“The screenings have been very well received with around 200 staff attending from our HSCP and key partner agencies. Panel question and answer sessions afterwards have led to lively discussion and interest, particularly on how the sessions can influence future practice. This joint work impacts positively on our HSCP’s strategic priorities of Early Intervention, Prevention & Harm Reduction, Shifting the Balance of Care and Staff Development and Engagement.”

Suzie Scott, Children’s Services Partnership Manager at GCVS said: “We’re delighted to be working with Glasgow City HSCP to deliver ‘Resilience’ and ‘Paper Tigers’ and facilitate discussion around trauma and ACEs to new audiences from both the public and third sector.” 

Participants reflected on the sessions saying: “Very inspiring, they were both really powerful films and I encouraged a number of others to watch them too; a good reminder of the value and necessity of early intervention and strong, positive role models; it’s always good to hear other people’s experiences and examples of how they dealt with situations.”