This article was specially written by The Churches' Trust for the Community Relations Council.
The Churches Trust is very much looking forward to the year ahead. Following our recent launch of our new main office at 11 Limavady Road, our new branding and new website we are very excited for what lies ahead. We invite you to explore our new website at www.thechurchestrust.org.uk to get an understanding of how we have evolved over the decades. You can also explore our flagship programmes in youth work, community development and interfaith work.
Good Relations is hugely important in all aspects of life, both in family and community life. And as we become a Trauma Informed organisation we are beginning to see how changing the narrative from ‘what’s wrong’ to that of ‘what’s happened’ allows us as an organisation to transform how we do our Good Relations Work.
We are now developing programmes that helps young and old alike to understand human and community development through a lens that changes perspectives, particularly negative perspectives. Change is so much easier when you focus on understanding human development particularly in early childhood, rather than focusing on what’s wrong! By adapting this approach, you first take away judgement and secondly you take away blame. This transformative approach was first of all implemented at an organisational level, and is now part and parcel of all our Good Relations Work.
We are particularly proud of our TrACE to Transform programme which allows us to understand how adversity can impact health and wellbeing, particularly adverse community environments. We deliver this programme to women, young people and then bring them together in a safe environment to explore realistic solutions and positive ways to move forward together. This intergenerational approach enhances understanding on what happened to us. It also provides opportunities to focus on transformative solutions that can benefit both family and community life. We are currently developing this programme for men and will be running it out in early Springtime. If you would like more information about TrACE to Transform, please contact us at info@thechurchestrust.org.uk.
About The Churches’ Trust
The Churches’ Trust is an interdenominational organisation established by the leaders of Christian churches to respond to deprivation in the local area. The organisation’s work includes bespoke services, youth development programmes, community and interfaith education and social support services.
The Community Relations Council supports The Churches’ Trust through its Core Funding Scheme.