Our commitment to trauma-informed care

Our commitment to Trauma-Informed Practices:

In a world increasingly shaped by crises, we believe that understanding trauma and its effects is not just important, it’s essential. As we enter our 40th anniversary, we are committed to transforming our centre into a trauma-informed practice.

This step has been taken in response to the challenging realities faced by our clients. Many of those we serve are clients with complex traumatic experiences, often as victims of domestic abuse including rape and sexual assault. They frequently face mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and feelings of shame or guilt. They may also experience emotional detachment, difficulty trusting others, and intrusive thoughts or flashbacks related to their trauma. Over time, these effects can lead to struggles with self-esteem, dissociation, and an increased risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts. These symptoms are often combined by the effects of complex trauma.

External factors have intensified these challenges. The rising cost of living, the increase in social isolation, and the growth of Islamophobia, alongside devastating events such as the tragedies in Palestine and Syria, the earthquake in Morocco, and past crises like the Grenfell disaster and the COVID-19 pandemic, have only deepened the urgency for care that is empathetic, trauma-informed, and responsive to these layered realities.

Central to our transformation is a commitment to understanding and integrating the core principles of trauma-informed practice. This includes recognising the prevalence and impact of trauma, understanding how trauma manifests in behaviours and emotions, and ensuring that every interaction promotes safety, trust, and empowerment. We are committed to creating an environment that minimises the risk of re-traumatisation, prioritises choice and collaboration, and respects the cultural and individual contexts of our clients.

At its heart, trauma-informed practice is about more than awareness, it’s about active responsiveness. It involves adopting a holistic approach that recognises the connections between trauma, mental health, and wellbeing, and implementing systems that enhance resilience and healing. This includes implementing the principles of safety, trustworthiness, team support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity into all aspects of our work.

We have taken decisive action to adopt these practices throughout our centre. Every member of our team, regardless of their role, has completed comprehensive training through Thrive London. This ensures that all staff are now trauma-aware and equipped to respond with compassion and understanding to the complex needs of our clients.

This transformation is about more than just training, it is about reconnection. It is about creating a safe, inclusive space where individuals feel understood, supported, and empowered to heal. It is about recognising the profound impact of trauma while promoting resilience and hope.

At Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre, we are committed to embedding trauma-informed practices into every aspect of our work. From our policies and procedures to the way we engage with each individual person we support. We aim to exemplify what it means to be trauma-aware and culturally sensitive. By displaying the Thrive London logo on our website, we demonstrate our dedication to these principles and our commitment to supporting our clients in their journeys toward healing.

Our mission is clear: to continue evolving as an organisation that meets the needs of those we serve, reconnects them with their strengths, and walks with them on their path to recovery and empowerment. All, we can build a future rooted in compassion, understanding, and resilience.