‘Trauma cannot be healed overnight’

These are the words of an amazing young woman who gave a very moving and eloquent speech to close our conference on 24th January.  She spoke about her traumatic experience of being at the event of a horrific attack in a public place.   There were few dry eyes as she spoke about the impact the trauma has left on her life and the recovery she continues to go through.

This was just one of the remarkable moments at the ACE Conference 2020.  

Over 80 people listened to inspirational speakers Luke Ambler, Catherine Knibbs, Maurice Irfan-Coles, and Helen Oakwater, as they shared their experiences, thoughts and knowledge about Adverse Childhood Experiences and the legacy they leave on children.

Complementing our keynotes were a range of workshops delivered by exceptional practitioners, focussing on areas such as the impact of Domestic Abuse on children, Mental Health support for young people, and a critical evaluation of the ACEs study.    

With an address for the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire, Mark Burns-Williamson OBE, exhibits from organisations including Barnado’s, Papyrus, Andy’s Man Club, Samaritans, and the Virtual College, and even reflexology healing from Chandu, this was a wonderful conference.

I hope, we hope, that this will help to make a difference to all children living through ACEs, and to give us greater understanding of how to support them.