VICTIMS of trauma supported by the charity formed after the IRA bombing on Warrington which claimed the lives of two young children will commemorate One World Peace Day with their own personal views on life after tragedy.
The group, named Steps Towards Empowerment and Positive Survival (STEPS), is made up of former soldiers, victims of bombings, bereaved families, emergency service workers and others still suffering the effects of trauma as a result of terrorism and conflict in the UK and abroad.
Supported by the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace, launched following the terrorist attack on Warrington in March 1993, STEPS will launch a self help booklet titled Life after Trauma on One World Peace Day onSeptember 21.
STEPS was formed by the Foundation in 2006 and the Foundation supports its efforts to raise awareness about the effects of trauma.
The booklet aims to assist people affected by trauma, bereavement and physical and psychological injury to take a positive approach to their journey of recovery.
It is also a useful resource to assist professionals and decision makers to understand the effect of trauma from the perspective of those who have experienced it.
Evelyn Bitcon, carer and Chair of STEPS said: “We decided to create a booklet as there was no resource out there that we could relate to, that was written by people who had gone through the kinds of incidents we had gone through. The booklet gives realistic information about what to expect, what support you have a right to ask for, when to seek help and what support is available. We also wanted people to know that there is “life after trauma”
A former paramedic who was medically retired from his local Ambulance Service due to ongoing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder said of the booklet; “I wish I’d had this four years ago, it would have made such a difference to my life”.
John Kabia, from the Foundation said: “We’ve supported STEPS to create this booklet and make sure it gets out to those who need it. We feel the booklet is unique as it is written by victims for other victims and so provides a different perspective to other literature available. Our work with STEPS is part of a wider programme called “Survivors for Peace” which encourages those affected by conflict and terrorism to transform their experiences and use them in a positive way.”
Copies of the booklet are available free of charge by contacting the Foundation for Peace and is also available online on the Foundation’s website http://foundation4peace.org/resources/STEPSBooklet.pdf
Victims of trauma launch self help book
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
