Transforming systems and improving lives - the social movement of compassion in Wales

Abstract Wales has embarked on a journey towards becoming an adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed nation. In 2021 the Welsh government supported the co-creation and co-production of an all age, all of society framework: Trauma- Informed Wales: A Societal Approach to Understanding, Preventing and Supporting the Impacts of Trauma and Adversity (ACE Hub Wales et al 2021). This framework is not just an operating model, it has the ambition to be a social movement to embed and sustain a culture shift that is rooted in tackling the conditions of inequality in our communities and the work we do in organisations in the clinical and community settings that support, and employ, people who have experienced trauma and adversity in their lives. The starting point is that any of us can have these experiences. The trauma and ace informed toolkit sets out a process of readiness, self assessment, action planning and implementation across six domain areas which include governance and leadership, monitoring and evaluation, policy and practice. Resources and guidance are co-created and co-produced by partners already on the journey, developed and tested in environments to look at trauma-informed physical spaces, communications, workforce development, training and inclusion of marginalised voices. Supporting this work is a national community of practice, promoting good practice, sharing ideas and developing a culture of wisdom supported by reflective practice. This dynamic forum is supported by online and in person capacity and is transforming organisations and sectors including housing, education, substance misuse, criminal justice and health. It places people, compassion, kindness and empathy at the heart and is enabling traumatised systems to understand and meet the needs of the workforce and the people they serve. Key messages • Systems change is sustained by compassion, kindness and love in a social movement supported by the scaffolding of an operating model. • Public Health has a key role to play in co-developing social networks and resources to transform traumatised systems into trauma-informed places that improve lives and health outcomes.