A critical and creative exploration of childhood trauma recovery. Knowing-doing trauma-informed public pedagogy.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Department for Health
Abstract
AIM
To co-explore the pedagogical processes in understanding and practising recovery from childhood trauma through arts-based practises and Feminist New Materialist thought
Objectives
1. To explore pedagogical processes in how survivors, define and practise recovery beyond the biomedical model
2. To co-construct critically creative informal spaces which shift survivor recovery literacies through the aesthetics of arts-based practises
There remains a disconnect between Mental Health (MH) assessments and support practises in connecting experiences with distress, resulting in pathologised services and recovery literacies (Tseris, 2019). The traditional biomedical discourses maintain a disregard for the growing evidence which demonstrates trauma's intimate connection with mental health illness (MHI) (e.g. depression and anxiety), portraying individuals as "disordered" regardless of their historical and social contexts (Tseris, 2019). While this dominant model has resulted in significant leaps forward in understanding certain intricacies to childhood trauma (CT), it disregards the complex, entangled and affective dimensions across historical, socially discursive and materially embedded recovery settings. The biomedical model, therefore, maintains re-active and prescriptive systems of diagnosis and care, rather than being pro-active or considerate to material-discursive influences (Fullagar et al., 2018), encouraging recovery in solitude, while rendering the traumatised body invisible and still requiring address. Addressing this gap, Victoria's research discusses how Posthumanist and NM approaches have been used to expand discussions in health beyond the biomedical and conclude with its appropriateness to do so for recovery literacies.
Method: This project incorporates a post qualitative enquiry (PQI) position drawing on Feminist new materialism thought through a Participatory Action Arts-based Research (PAAR) methodology. A range of methods will be utilised including body mapping and arts-based methods through a series of workshops and focus groups.
Analysis: Analysis will be framed within co-constructed PQI and underpinned by the concept of affective pedagogical assemblages.
To co-explore the pedagogical processes in understanding and practising recovery from childhood trauma through arts-based practises and Feminist New Materialist thought
Objectives
1. To explore pedagogical processes in how survivors, define and practise recovery beyond the biomedical model
2. To co-construct critically creative informal spaces which shift survivor recovery literacies through the aesthetics of arts-based practises
There remains a disconnect between Mental Health (MH) assessments and support practises in connecting experiences with distress, resulting in pathologised services and recovery literacies (Tseris, 2019). The traditional biomedical discourses maintain a disregard for the growing evidence which demonstrates trauma's intimate connection with mental health illness (MHI) (e.g. depression and anxiety), portraying individuals as "disordered" regardless of their historical and social contexts (Tseris, 2019). While this dominant model has resulted in significant leaps forward in understanding certain intricacies to childhood trauma (CT), it disregards the complex, entangled and affective dimensions across historical, socially discursive and materially embedded recovery settings. The biomedical model, therefore, maintains re-active and prescriptive systems of diagnosis and care, rather than being pro-active or considerate to material-discursive influences (Fullagar et al., 2018), encouraging recovery in solitude, while rendering the traumatised body invisible and still requiring address. Addressing this gap, Victoria's research discusses how Posthumanist and NM approaches have been used to expand discussions in health beyond the biomedical and conclude with its appropriateness to do so for recovery literacies.
Method: This project incorporates a post qualitative enquiry (PQI) position drawing on Feminist new materialism thought through a Participatory Action Arts-based Research (PAAR) methodology. A range of methods will be utilised including body mapping and arts-based methods through a series of workshops and focus groups.
Analysis: Analysis will be framed within co-constructed PQI and underpinned by the concept of affective pedagogical assemblages.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Victoria Christodoulides (Student) |
Publications
Victoria Anneke Christodoulides
(2024)
Project Becomings: Artworks by survivors of childhood trauma
Victoria Anneke Christodoulides
(2024)
Project Becomings
Victoria Anneke Christodoulides
(2024)
Educational Action Research
in Disclosure of Researcher Lived Experience within Participatory Action Research: A Methodological Discussion
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000630/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/09/2028 | |||
| 2094877 | Studentship | ES/P000630/1 | 30/09/2018 | 30/08/2023 | Victoria Christodoulides |
| Title | Project I Becomings |
| Description | Project Becomings aimed to facilitate change in understanding regarding recovery. Through a series of workshops, focus groups and independent tasks, ten survivor participants explored recovery through creative practices. One of the results was the creation of the evocative pieces presented through a 6 day exhibition. The importance of bringing the artwork to the public domain is in recognition that recovery is not down to an individual's ability to 'get well'. Instead, it is a collective awareness of how recovery is entangled with numerous and complex influences beyond the 'subject'. Drawing on New Materialist perspectives, this project explored how the intricate human and non-human matter (e.g., people, spaces, places, objects, narratives) threaded through our experiences could provide fresh insight towards the comprehension, embodiment and enactment of recovery. This project aims to raise awareness of this under-recognised area impacting individuals globally, and we call on GPs, practitioners, educators, civil service workers, policymakers, researchers, and the wider public to extend current practices and knowledge to support this endeavour. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | Over the six days of the exhibition, we saw 489 visitors attend, and feedback was generated in several ways, aligning with the research approach. Visitors were invited to provide their feedback, which resulted in the creation of numerous body maps and sewing circles along with drawings and stop frame animation. The excellent visitor engagement correlated with the high dwell times of one to four hours. Survey findings from the exhibition, which represented 12% of the visitors, indicated it drew the most interest from those between the ages of 21-39 yrs (44.8%), followed by 40-59 yrs (34.5%). Just over a quarter of these results were male. Although these results are representative of sexual abuse ratios (Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2023), it was extremely positive to see this number of men engage with the project, especially due to the increased stigma connected to men and abuse (Sivagurunathan et al., 2019). Most visitors were White, with the remaining quarter having been from Black, Asian or other ethnic groups. While we are pleased with the diversity among the exhibition visitors, it is generally accepted that trauma does not discriminate (i.e., it can affect everyone) and, therefore, more needs to be done to engage these populations. Speaking with several visitors from non-White ethnic backgrounds, they reported that Project Becomings "helped bring trauma into a much-needed conversation, as it is difficult to do in our communities". This suggests the value of continuing to create spaces that do so. Experts working with survivors also found the exhibition informative, with one having stated, "I have worked in MH (mental health) services for nearly 30 years and found the exhibition to be one of the most powerful and helpful illustrations of trauma and ways forward following trauma. The messages were insightful and accessible. I have taken a good deal from the work and will share this with my colleagues and service users." A discussion with another attendee highlighted that engaging with the exhibition could facilitate therapeutic benefits. After completing a detailed body map, they asked for it to be returned after the exhibition because they wanted to present their map to their therapist. This was significant because this visitor had been unable to talk about many of the experiences and feelings they had drawn. This demonstrates that the exhibition facilitated a fresh insight into recovery. One visitor shared that they "liked that it removed the stigma from the topic...(and they now) feel more inspired than ever to speak up because (they are) not alone and that there are people out there that need to know they're not alone too." This was further supported by a wealth of feedback tags, messages in the feedback book and the survey. |
| URL | https://www.projectbecomings.com/ |
| Description | The main findings determine that current recovery narratives are problematic and limited in contemporary practices. Current understanding neglects to provide a comprehensive and representative understanding of what to expect when engaging with recovery. This results in the provision of services that instead of offering practices that cater for the complexity and whole mind and body experience of trauma and recovery, prioritise medicinal or short-term cognitive practices. Evidence highlights that the body is disregarded in recovery discourse and impacts how survivors engage with services. Additionally, this limitation complicates an individual's motivation to heal as the biproduct of the current recovery pathways implicate the individual as defective if they are not recovered within the set processes. These unrealistic and unachievable views of recovery are not supporting the development of adaptable communities and this shortfall is limiting individuals and communities to thrive. Furthermore, the findings highlight the lack of experiential approaches in recovery narratives and practices and demonstrates how immersive educative public spaces can provide opportunity to extend current understanding and approaches to recovery and trauma. The project demonstrated the importance of better information and signposting to specific services and other practices. Often survivors were being signposted to mental health practices which did not specialise in trauma. We discovered co-constructive environments through creative practices provided, in some cases, exceptional and, for most, impactful experiences which positively shifted their understanding of themselves. |
| Exploitation Route | Currently, I conceptualised a project funded by the National Lottery through The Southmead Project. It was based on the concepts of the research project. IThe AR project has been very impactful, supporting currently over 100 survivors of abuse with weekly activities. The outcomes may lead to the development of better and more accessible information for GP's which will then be able to signpost to more effective support. There may be a generation of more services and practices which engage in educating the impact of trauma on the mind and body for survivors to engage with earlier on. The findings point to the importance of engaging in alternative approaches to understanding and practices recovery. This may include creative public and private spaces, further funded projects such as AR, better informed GP's and services to signpost survivors to a larger range of appropriate support. The exhibition is currently in the process of organising a national tour. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Communities and Social Services/Policy Creative Economy Education Healthcare Government Democracy and Justice Other |
| Description | I have added this information in others areas. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
| Description | Development / training researchers |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | I have delivered over 10 workshops which has facilitated the training and has contributed to their development of the research assistants, and have seen an significant impact of the quality, confidence and understanding of participatory approaches in their practices. |
| Description | National Centre for Creative Arts and Health Case Study |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| URL | https://ncch.org.uk/case-studies/project-becomings |
| Description | WED Advisory Board member |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://womenempoweringdefence.com/ |
| Description | Collaboration fund |
| Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2020 |
| Description | Impact Fund |
| Amount | £810 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2020 |
| Description | Impact Fund - 2 |
| Amount | £1,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2020 |
| Description | Impact fund - 3 |
| Amount | £997 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2020 |
| Description | Sarum St Michael Educational Charity |
| Amount | £2,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Sarum St Michael Educational Charity |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 10/2020 |
| Description | Studentship |
| Amount | £70,559 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 12/2022 |
| Description | The Leverhulme Trust |
| Amount | £14,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2018 |
| End | 12/2020 |
| Description | The Rainbow Trust |
| Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Rainbow Trust Children's Charity |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2021 |
| Description | Alyson Minkley - Artist |
| Organisation | Social Scaffolding Art Collective |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | I worked with Alyson on a project called Datafield. It was a cross-discipline collaborative & participatory performance artwork created for video. The first iteration of Datafield was co-created in February 2020 with 30 Bath Spa students. The final cut was shortlisted for the Visions of Science ArtPrize at The Edge 2020 and long-listed for UK New Artist 2022. Screenings have included, amongst others, Centre of Gravity, Bristol 2020, and Wiltshire Creative, Salisbury Playhouse 2021. Datafield was originally conceived for 100 participants in a 10x10 grid, anonymised by wearing second-skin bar chart costumes revealing their individuality and difference in unique silhouettes, 'animated' through movements that represent the participants' choices. I supported the conception, delivery and editing of the project, contributing knowledge about PAR, co-construction, surveys and creative practices. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Alyson has support the conception and delivery of the workshops for my PhD project. Providing expertise on delivery art workshops, her knowledge of different art mediums, and has supported with the supply of materials and facilities. Alyson and I are currently working on developing an exhibition to the public of the artwork from the workshops and the finding. We have also applied for National Lottery Funding for a larger scale workshop/exhibition of the my PhD project findings across the UK and Scotland. |
| Impact | Feedback from Alyson has note the following outputs: Returning to practice as an artist in 2019 I was keen to collaborate cross discipline with social sciences in my project Datafield as I am aware that socially engaged art can cause more damage than good if not carefully framed with due diligence to ethics and comprehensive management of potential trigger situations when working with unknown self-selected participants. Working collaboratively gave me great reassurance to conduct this project safely and to the benefit of all who were involved and the final work has gone on to win several awards. I am genuinely uncertain if I would have had the confidence to deliver the project without your input and it was a better project for your involvement. It has been rewarding to share my own expertise reciprocally to assist the creative input within Project|Becomings. I have been a strong believer in the capacity for creativity to facilitate wellbeing and provide therapeutic opportunities for reflection and re-evaluation of self-perceptions and it has been a pleasure to discuss and plan in collaboratively to find the best approaches from both our disciplines and to work cocreatively with the participants to help shape their own sessions. Seeing the offer of care and encouragement for self-direction within your programme has been excellent for my own practice and has influenced the devising of my next project Social Scaffolding in how we have opened up to engage with audiences. Again the relationship with Project|Becomings as it moved into exhibition phase was fortunate and I enjoyed the connection between the academic, therapeutic and art worlds and the rigour your practice brought to the processes. The impact of your work has been profound to me and to others who have engaged in your work. Your novel approach has helped me run two projects at a higher level while ensuring participant inclusion and safety. The unique stance of your research project had been groundbreaking, bringing together research and creativity with a sensitive consideration that has provided hundreds of people unique moments to extend how they understand and practice recovery. For myself, the impact of the the collaboration has been hugely insightful. Never delivering an arts based programme before, the guidance I received ensure the workshops and the exhibition were extremely successful. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Ministry of Defence |
| Organisation | Ministry of Defence (MOD) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I have curated a series of presentations which have been delivered to the MOD and their network in 2022. I was supported by my colleague Maike Klein. These reached circa 500+ people who work within and support the MoD. Further to the success of the series delivered, I have been offered the role of an advisory member for the Women Empowering Defence (WED) organisation. This has sparked fresh opportunities where I have been able to deliver material from my research to wider audiences and has generated additional workshops and partnerships with WED affiliated organisations. In 2024 there are a series of workshops and panel discussions bringing academic knowledge to this demographic. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The organiser has facilitated the marketing of the events. The organiser has invited us to several networking events and conferences to deliver other talks and sessions. I have been provided the role of an advisory member, with opportunity to learn new skills in this role and engage in wider participation and knowledge exchange. |
| Impact | The presentations have proved very successful, with attendees calling for more sessions which are being created. The impact has changed individuals' view on mental health positively across the range of topics we explored. Feedback from one of the co-founders 2024: "By session 2, audience numbers had doubled as word got out, Victoria was creating a real impact across the sector and people really started to become engaged on the calls and actively participated. Victoria was no afraid to share her own personal story which allowed our audience to be empathetic and realise that there own struggles could be shared. The success of the series I have no doubt was down to the sheer hard work of Victoria in her research, knowledge and preparation and we are excited to continue the collaboration going forward.' |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | The Southmead Project |
| Organisation | Southmead Project |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | I developed a relationship with The Southmead project several years ago. During this time, I have supported them with the delivery of a series of art workshops which took place over several months with adult survivors of childhood trauma. Following this, I worked collected, analysed and reported the impact and feedback of the workshop for The charity. In addition to this, I have given a talk at their 25th AGM meeting, sharing expertise. I have continued supporting the charity with intellectual input for their Active Recovery Project (ARP). The ARP was conceptualised by myself and has been successfully delivered by The Southmead Project, provides a therapeutic intervention for survivors beyond the medical or psychotherapeutic methods of recovery. The Active Recovery project is an innovative approach underpinned by my research gaining recognition from other services and three years funding from the National Lottery. It has helped hundreds of survivors develop vital experiential moments and skills, resulting in the noteworthy impact on their health, wellbeing and quality of life. I have since been employed to continue to support the design, delivery and reporting of the project. I am currently supporting research in the review of the project with longitudinal studies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Southmead Project have contributed in several ways to the collaboration. I have been given opportunities to share intellectual knowledge which has developed my own skills and experience. I have received a contribution from key members of the organisation in designing my PhD methodology, ensuring the design of the methods is thorough and safe. I have been introduced to a wide variety of individuals within charities, services as well as Government. Several relationships have continued to be developed and have become incorporated into various actions within my PhD - Predominantly within the plans for the exhibition. The Southmead project is also providing the environment for me to recruit participants for my PhD. I have been offered work to continue to support the develop an innovative project underpinned by my PhD, and with that have been supported in my development or skills and expertise working with the demographic of survivors of childhood trauma. |
| Impact | The project manager at the The Southmead Project for Active Recovery states: 'Victoria's research impacts on my work with ARP in a number of ways. She uses the skills and experience she has gained through her research in her day-to-day role as Active Recovery Practitioner. This relates to how she supports the members one-to-one and in a group and how she helps to plan and deliver the sessions. Her knowledge of the impact of building a community has led to her suggesting and developing different interventions to help build the ARP community. Victoria has helped to design and deliver Members' Voice and Next Steps sessions, using her knowledge and experience in her research. The research and evaluation skills that Victoria has have impacted on ARP in that she has worked with our evaluator to create an assessment process and capture vital data and feedback to allow us to shape the project to best suit our members' needs. Victoria has also designed and delivered a trauma psychoeducational session for our members, based on her research. In our reflective practices Victoria often uses her research findings to reflect upon the ARP service and suggest ways to develop and improve the project. The concept of ARP and the delivery of it has been described as 'pioneering', with members often remarking that they have never come across another service like it. The feedback from ARP is overwhelmingly positive. It has the ability to change members' lives and aid recovery in a different way to counselling alone. In conclusion, Victoria is a passionate champion of survivors' voices. She is creative and determined to use her expertise and to develop innovative ways to explore and improve services that support survivors of trauma. The legacy of Victoria's ideas and findings will continue to provide the foundations for ARP and will hopefully support many more people in the future.' |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Title | Active Recovery |
| Description | The research has supported the conceptualisation and delivery of a successful service with a specialist trauma charity, The Southmead Project. The Active Recovery project is an innovative approach gaining recognition from other services and three years funding from the National Lottery. It has helped hundreds of survivors develop vital experiential moments and skills, resulting in the noteworthy impact on their health, wellbeing and quality of life. The concept of ARP and the delivery of it has been described as 'pioneering', with members often remarking that they have never come across another service like it. The feedback from ARP is overwhelmingly positive. It has the ability to change members' lives and aid recovery in a different way to counselling alone. We are currently in the process of completing a full report of the service with an external research partner. The project is currently funded by The National Lottery and gained 3 years funding. We are 2/3rd through the 3 years. |
| Type | Products with applications outside of medicine |
| Current Stage Of Development | Small-scale adoption |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2018 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | We are currently completing a full report of the project however some of the notable impacts include: - reducing isolation - improving social skills (taking the bus, saying 'No') - development of skills ( engaging with a range of activities) - supporting therapeutic practices ( talk therapies) and the therapeutic process - improving confidence - provide volunteering opportunities to members who have completed their time on the project - community collaboration (engaging with a range of services and organisations) - developing a community for a population considered vulnerable - provide moments of joy - develop a truly participatory approach in recovery |
| URL | https://www.southmeadproject.org.uk/active-recovery-project |
| Description | BBC News Radio Interview and Online Article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TWO activities took place. One was a radio interview discussing the exhibition and purpose behind the research and exhibition. The second was an article written for the BBC online webpage discussing the exhibition and research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-66507966 |
| Description | BERA blog |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has caused most postgraduate research (PGR) students to encounter research restrictions and undertake their research duties from home (see Burridge et al., 2020). Yet an insufficient amount of research has explored PGR students' pandemic experiences. This blog post draws on an online survey of 994 UK-based PGR students conducted in January 2021, which explored the experiences of students, the support received during lockdown and the future plans of PGRs after the coronavirus pandemic (further methodological information is available here). In our survey, we asked students whether they were experiencing a number of mental health and social issues as a result of the pandemic. Eighty-five per cent of the respondents reported that they experienced anxiety and stress; 80 per cent experienced fatigue and burnout; 66 per cent felt isolated or lonely; and 69 per cent reported other mental health concerns. Our findings align with previous research on PGR students' mental health, which has shown that 80 per cent of PGR students and early researchers experienced some level of mental distress (Byrom, 2020). We also measured average working hours before and after the pandemic began, discovering that a pre-pandemic average of 37.6 working hours - which is consistent with research funding bodies' requirements, such as the Economic and Research Council - fell to 32.4 hours during the pandemic and are evidently more disperse (see figure 1). This suggests a varied negative impact of the pandemic on PGR students' working time. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/postgraduate-research-students-experiences-of-the-coronavirus-pandemic |
| Description | Bath networking blog |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | One of the topics that comes up frequently in the universities career discussions with researchers is how vital networking is to career development. Networking can help you find out more information about what jobs or sectors you are considering are actually like, find out about opportunities coming up and raise your profile in your areas of interest. Despite this, many people are reluctant to engage in networking or simply don't know how. The blog shares experiences of using networks to develop research collaborations, find funding and further my career. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://blogs.bath.ac.uk/careers/2019/02/20/networking-for-researchers-1-a-personal-story/ |
| Description | Bristol 24/7 News Article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | An article written for the Bristol 24/7 online webpage discussing the exhibition and research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.bristol247.com/culture/art/new-art-exhibition-explores-childhood-trauma-recovery/ |
| Description | Exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Over the six days of the exhibition, we saw 489 visitors attend, and feedback was generated in several ways, aligning with the research approach. Visitors were invited to provide their feedback, which resulted in the creation of numerous body maps and sewing circles along with drawings and stop frame animation. The excellent visitor engagement correlated with the high dwell times of one to four hours. Survey findings from the exhibition, which represented 12% of the visitors, indicated it drew the most interest from those between the ages of 21-39 yrs (44.8%), followed by 40-59 yrs (34.5%). Just over a quarter of these results were male. Although these results are representative of sexual abuse ratios (Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2023), it was extremely positive to see this number of men engage with the project, especially due to the increased stigma connected to men and abuse (Sivagurunathan et al., 2019). Most visitors were White, with the remaining quarter having been from Black, Asian or other ethnic groups. While we are pleased with the diversity among the exhibition visitors, it is generally accepted that trauma does not discriminate (i.e., it can affect everyone) and, therefore, more needs to be done to engage these populations. Speaking with several visitors from non-White ethnic backgrounds, they reported that Project Becomings "helped bring trauma into a much-needed conversation, as it is difficult to do in our communities". This suggests the value of continuing to create spaces that do so. Experts working with survivors also found the exhibition informative, with one having stated, "I have worked in MH (mental health) services for nearly 30 years and found the exhibition to be one of the most powerful and helpful illustrations of trauma and ways forward following trauma. The messages were insightful and accessible. I have taken a good deal from the work and will share this with my colleagues and service users." A discussion with another attendee highlighted that engaging with the exhibition could facilitate therapeutic benefits. After completing a detailed body map, they asked for it to be returned after the exhibition because they wanted to present their map to their therapist. This was significant because this visitor had been unable to talk about many of the experiences and feelings they had drawn. This demonstrates that the exhibition facilitated a fresh insight into recovery. One visitor shared that they "liked that it removed the stigma from the topic...(and they now) feel more inspired than ever to speak up because (they are) not alone and that there are people out there that need to know they're not alone too." This was further supported by a wealth of feedback tags, messages in the feedback book and the survey. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.projectbecomings.com/ |
| Description | MOD sessions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I curated and presented a series of sessions for the MoD. I utilised information and learning from the research within the sessions. The intention was to generate a fresh perspective on how mental health is understood and practised. Over 500 people joined online for the 6 sessions that were delivered, and attendees ranged from civil servants, managers supporting individuals who have experienced trauma and mental ill health, senior officers and business owners across the MoD network. The sessions have been so successful, with attendees calling for additional sessions; we will be running this again, expanding and delivering talks at other MoD events and conferences. Feedback includes: The presentations have proved very successful, with attendees calling for more sessions which are being created. The impact has changed individuals' view on mental health positively across the range of topics we explored. Feedback from one of the co-founders 2024: "By session 2, audience numbers had doubled as word got out, Victoria was creating a real impact across the sector and people really started to become engaged on the calls and actively participated. Victoria was no afraid to share her own personal story which allowed our audience to be empathetic and realise that there own struggles could be shared. The success of the series I have no doubt was down to the sheer hard work of Victoria in her research, knowledge and preparation and we are excited to continue the collaboration going forward.' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | PAR Workshops within the project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Societal impact was achieved in two stages. The first involved a highly collaborative series of creative workshops and focus groups with ten adults with lived experience of childhood trauma. Over one year, we facilitated their active roles and engagement in all stages of the research, including broader societal impact and dissemination. This approach resulted in strong relationships with the research participants, which continues (e.g., we meet to attend seminars and relevant events). Similarly, participants were integral to the research design, procedures and outputs, and flexible knowledge exchange strategies were threaded through multiple reflective touchpoints across the research cycle. This interactive and immersive approach supported an empowering environment that extended their understanding and approach to recovery beyond the limitations of contemporary psychological treatments, generating unprecedented and lasting positive impact on their wellbeing. A project design meeting (PDM) engaged participants in the concept of exploring recovery beyond the biomedical. Participants had the opportunity to generate body maps and using a world cafe method decided upon three themes for the following workshops. Following the PDM three workshops were held (one a week), each lasting five hours. In the workshops, participants created artefacts in response to the weekly topic they determined in the PDM. Each workshop used a different medium. For example, 1) clay; 2) material and thread work; 3) drawing and animation. Participants were also encouraged to engage with external photovoice approaches extending how learning about recovery is understood and practised. Two external facilitators including a counsellor and an artist, supported the delivery of the project. The quality of the artefacts generated has sparked further activities including an exhibition in Bristol. We are currently looking at working with the group to tour the successful pilot exhibition nationally. We currently have developed partnerships with Universities, professionals, activists and specialists to deliver workshops and training to be delivered alongside the exhibition. Profoundly, however, the largest impact has been how the experience has shaped participants' understanding of themselves. All participants have stated the significant impact on their lives. e.g., one person said, " after attending these sessions, I have been able to think differently about myself. For over 20 years I have been unable to shake negative thoughts about myself when they come up. I have been able to be more compassionate and I walk taller and lighter - thank you". For others, the transformative space 'felt more supportive and effective than 1:1 therapy', and 'the project (became) a big part of (their) recovery (contributing to) higher self-worth and hope for (their) future' or having 'long-lasting positive impact on (their) healing journey'. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | View magazine article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | An article written for the view online magazine discussing the exhibition and research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://theviewmag.org.uk/ |
| Description | WED Advisory Board |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Advisory board -Ministry of Defence Women's Empowering Defence Network: - Ensuring leadership team are accountable to the approaches, and outcomes set - Designing and delivering workshops regarding mental health |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://womenempoweringdefence.com/ |