In the Midst of Trauma - A Collective Journey
In the Midst of Trauma – A Collective Journey
TASC is delighted to present ‘In the Midst of Trauma – A Collective Journey’ in partnership with Corrymeela. Led by Dr. Adeelia Goffe, Senior Health Researcher at TASC, and Denise Bradley, Corrymeela’s Programme Manager on Marginalisation, this report brings together service providers across the Island of Ireland who have faced the heavy burden of secondary trauma.
During four encounters in 2026, the experiences of practitioners were gathered through a combination of surveys, group discussions, and collaborative group work. The iterative nature of the process meant that each encounter built upon the insights of the previous one, allowing for a gradual deepening of understanding and trust. These encounters were not simply mechanisms for delivering learning; they became the means through which the project collectively explored practitioner experience.
The project's findings offer a new roadmap for change:
- Healing requires safety: Practitioners cannot engage in deep reflection or share vulnerable experiences unless they feel safe. This requires intentional efforts to create spaces of trust, both within peer groups and within organisations.
- Collective action is transformative: Shared experiences and peer support are powerful antidotes to isolation and burnout. Creating spaces for practitioners to learn from one another fosters resilience and innovation.
- Structure supports spirit: Individual coping strategies are insufficient. Organisations must provide protected time for reflection and peer support, embedded support systems, and clear boundaries to prevent burnout.
This report is a call to action. It invites organisations, funders, and policymakers to rethink how they support their workforce, and consider cross-sector, coordinated action. By creating spaces of trust and belonging, we can build not just sustainable workplaces, but a more just and peaceful society. Read on to discover how we can turn pain into power, and isolation into connection.
