Up to 700 people came to the Trauma Responsive Greater Manchester Conference which took place on Wednesday 25 March at Bolton’s Toughsheet Community Stadium. Hosted by Neil Evans, the Director of Safer and Stronger Communities, the event showcased the great trauma-responsive work going on across the city region, hearing from a range of experts from education to research as well as voices with real lived-experiences. 

The conference started with inputs from Professor Helen Lowey, who focused on the great work achieved by the GM Reform Board, after which Dr Paul Wallis focused on the benefits and needs of a multi-sector approach to Trauma and Debbie Blackburn highlighted changes in practices. 

Attendees then heard from Professor Mark Bellis, who’s insightful talk focused on the effect ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experiences) can have, not only on the child themselves in later life, but also the wider impact that can have on our communities and services. It was at this point that guests were treated to some voices from the community, where they heard speakers from Dignifi, Wigan Council, Salford Loathes and Fishes and A Brilliant Thing talk about how the impact trauma responsive practices can have on local communities. 

After a provided lunch and a useful grounding exercise, the afternoon session got underway with an Education Sector Panel, focusing on how schools can embed trauma-informed culture and practices into their institutions. We then heard from speakers from Liverpool University, Oxford University, Salford University and Birmingham University on how evidence and research can be turned into actionable change within the trauma-informed space. The conference came to a close with more voices from the community as attendees were informed of the great work being done in regard to substance abuse and asylum-seeking trauma. 

The Trauma Responsive Greater Manchester Conference demonstrated the strength of collaboration across the city region and the work being done in the trauma-informed space to both fight the cause and effects of trauma on individuals and communities, whilst also highlighting the need and actions required for continued improvements.

Article posted on: 27/03/2026 11:03am