WREXHAM Glyndwr has set out a new project to become the first trauma-informed university in the country.

An innovative project aimed at transforming how trauma is approached in Welsh communities has been set out at a major public engagement conference last week.

Delegates at this year’s National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement Conference heard from the head of public policy engagement at Glyndwr, Nina Ruddle, about the way they are working with partners across Wales to co-create its civic mission, as well as listening to Welsh communities and working with them to tackle the issues they face.

The university’s ambition is to end social inequality across North Wales by 2030, through this work, via its research, its staff and students, and through piloting and developing new ways approaches which will improve people’s lives.

As part of its civic mission work, Glyndwr has already developed a strong partnership with the 2025 Movement to tackle avoidable health inequalities, which is an ongoing mission that was shortlisted for the Guardian Public Service Awards 2019 for public health and wellbeing.

The university co-created a systems leadership programme to drive whole systems change working with housing, public service boards, the health board and more; built a bespoke community volunteering practice with third sector organisations in Wrexham; led and established a community of practice for social prescribing in North Wales with more than 300 members and has undertaken many other community projects.

Now, Glyndwr is working to become a Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experience (TrACE)-informed institution.

This new focus means that people who may have encountered trauma or adverse childhood experiences will be given the opportunity to progress and thrive while at Glyndwr, and the university hopes, ultimately, to develop this approach so it can be embedded in communities right across Wales.

Nina explained how the impact of this year’s coronavirus pandemic had emphasised to staff working on the project how important their work was.

She said: “This has really amplified our experience of trauma and vulnerability, and I think it’s even more important now we start shaping and understanding our approach to TrACE, in the university and with our wider community partners – that’s where it gets really exciting for me with the work we do across the region.”

The project is being carried in partnership with the Welsh Government-funded and Public Health Wales-hosted ACE Support Hub.

Vicky Jones, North Wales lead for the Hub, added: “It’s not about treating trauma and symptoms, it’s a fundamental approach recognising that adversity and trauma are a possibility for everyone and it’s about promoting opportunities for well-being, healing and recovery with everyone having a role.

“It’s underpinned by five core principles, including choice, collaboration, empowerment, where we help individuals recognise their strength and resilience factors and build on these - and it’s about prioritising physical and emotional safety that, ultimately, builds trust and trusted relationships.

“Using the Glyndwr work as a platform, we want every single person in North Wales to thrive, no matter who they are, where they are from, or what they have been through.”

Glyndwr’s deputy vice-chancellor, professor Claire Taylor, added: “As the top university in England and Wales for social inclusion, this project absolutely fits with our commitment to widening access and participation.

“Our values of being accessible, supportive, innovative and ambitious guide all that we do and this forms an essential framework for our partnership working.

“The TrACEs approach chimes really well with our purpose and our approach to civic mission, which is all about tacking social inequalities.”

Alongside the direct work on developing Glyndwr as a trauma-informed university, there will also be a stronger research focus on the issue led by the university.