APPENDIX 37
Memorandum submitted by the Western Health
and Social Services Trauma Advisory Panel
I am writing on behalf of the Western Health
and Social Services Trauma Advisory Panel in Northern Ireland.
The Panel was formed in February 1999, with the aim of bringing
together voluntary, community and statutory groups, which provide
a service to the victims and survivors of "The Troubles"
in Northern Ireland. There are four panels one in each of the
Board areas.
If possible representatives from the panel would
like to be involved in any discussions, which concern the ongoing
work for victims, and survivors of the Troubles in N.J. To date
we have been involved in the following areas of work:
— An Information Pack providing information
about each group on the Panel.
— A leaflet "Coping with Trauma".
— A Directory outlining the services
offered by the groups that work with people who have been traumatised
directly or indirectly by the Troubles.
— An Evaluation of the work of the
TAP and An Audit of the Needs of the People affected by the Troubles.
(Dr Roger Manktlelow's report).
— Lobbied key policy makers.
— Training for the TAP members and
groups.
— Four students have recently completed
their Cognitive Behavioral Therapy training from the Belfast Cognitive
Therapy Centre, and the panel is currently in the process of trying
to secure funding in order to provide a service for the groups
and members of the panel.
— Developing Service Level Agreements
between the Statutory and Voluntary sector (there are a few groups
who have already drawn up agreements with Foyle Trust).
— Have an accredited BACP counselling
course for 30 people who work with victims of the Troubles..
— A-Z booklet for victims of the "Troubles".
— A Website providing information about
the groups involved on the TAP and the services they provide.
— Media coverage/television, newspapers,
and local radio broadcasts.
— Contact with the First and Deputy
First Minister's Office, the Victims Unit and a number of Politicians.
— Contact with Interdepartmental working
groups.
The Panel meets on a regular basis and has recently
been expanded to include the Sperrin Lakeland as well as the Foyle
area. This has brought its own challenges as the number of groups
represented on the Panel has been greatly enlarged. The current
Chair is Mrs Nuala Doherty of Foyle Trust and an area-wide group
which maintains an overview of the process comprises the Chair,
the Coordinator, the Directors of Foyle and Sperrin Lakeland Trusts,
Mr John Doherty and Mr Vincent Ryan, Mr Sean Coll who continues
to represent Sperrin Lakeland Trust, as well as the Local Strategic
Partnership—This group is chaired by the Service Planner
for Mental Health services in the WHSSB, Mr Jim Simpson.
30 December 2004
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