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March - April 2025

NEWS FOR ACTION 

A Bi-Monthly Newsletter to Spread the Seeds and Connect the Dots

Welcome to Our Early Spring Edition of 2025!



 As the days grow longer, the London ACEs Hub is blooming with new opportunities to learn, connect, and take action on adverse childhood experiences. From our upcoming webinars and community discussions to spotlighting transformative research and campaigns, we’re here to support you in driving trauma-informed change and build resilience across London.



Let’s grow together this season, read on for ways to get involved and stay informed.



This Month’s Highlights



We have included a special issue of the e-newsletter from the Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) marking the 25-year review of Adverse Childhood Experiences Research and Practice published by the Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect.

This newsletter has been compiled by Arnon Bentovim Chair of the ACEs SIG Foundation Committee. 



We include an impact statement from Consortium regarding the Supreme Court Ruling which impacts trans rights.  It's offering organisations the opportunity to add their signatures to the statement. 



 Mad Youth Organise’s “We Get Sick They Get Rich” campaign and manifesto, created by 25 young people, spotlight how exploitative policies from tech practices to housing costs, fuelling Britain’s youth mental health crisis. 



A quasi-experimental evaluation of the Lifelong Links programme showed that stronger support networks reduced homelessness risk among care leavers aged 18–20 by 10%. 



 Meanwhile, the Person Centred Association launched The Encounters Podcast to delve into person-centred psychology, and Survivors Voices released 26 free leaflets on abuse, trauma, self-care, and recovery.



In our Racial Justice feature



This section covers three highlights: a Center on the Developing Child webinar on how racism “gets under the skin” to affect child development and health. 



 VAMHN’s “Why Should Our Rage Be Tidy?” webinar with Sumanta Roy and Prof. Ravi Thiara on the mental health crisis among Black and minoritised women. 



 The Racial Justice Fund, backed by Trust for London and City Bridge Foundation, offering funding and support for projects that tackle the ethnicity pensions gap, establishing Black and minority-led credit unions, as well as initiatives that foster Black entrepreneurship, providing resources, mentorship, and investment to increase the rate at which Black people can start and grow their own businesses.



A Dot of Inspiration 



A New Podcast launched by an LAH Member, about experiences of Childhood Sexual Exploitations and domestic violence. 



Discover London’s Events and Insights

This spring, we’ve curated a lineup of insightful events designed to inform and inspire trauma-informed practice across London. 



Dive into the UKTC Insight Series webinars, first exploring how poverty and stigma undermine young people’s mental health, then uncovering best practices for supporting trauma-exposed children with learning disabilities. 



Project CREATE’s lunch-hour session “Do You Mean What I Mean?” will bridge gaps between young people and researchers in youth mental-health studies. 



Families can embark on a free, interactive adventure through space, jungle, and ocean at the British Library’s Story Explorers. 



Finally, don’t miss ATTUNE’s 3rd Impact and Dissemination Conference, where youth-led research reveals pioneering tools like Validating Voices and the ACE of Hearts game to advance mental-health and wellbeing.


Plenty of inspiration for further action this May, Mental Health Awareness Month!


We hope this edition informs, inspires, and encourages action



Don’t miss out, dive into the full reports, register for upcoming events, and join the conversation on how we can work together toward meaningful change.


Join our movement!

We love welcoming new members to our independent network of survivors, multidisciplinary professionals, and community advocates. Join us to add your voice in 2025 and help make London an ACE-aware metropolis!

Join Us

TIME FOR NEWS FOR ACTION!

EVENTS

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LONDON ACES HUB WEBINARS

Are you passionate about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)? Would you like to share your wisdom? If so get in touch to discuss hosting a webinar with LAH! 

Contact Us
UK Trauma Council Insight Series - Poverty and trauma: Inequality, stigma, and mental health

This webinar from the Anna Freud Centre brings together Dr Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE of the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory and Professor Tracy Shildrick of Newcastle University to examine how poverty and stigma intersect to undermine mental health. Dr Barnett-Jones will discuss systemic reforms and evidence-based practices to support vulnerable families in the justice system, while Professor Shildrick will highlight the effects of intergenerational inequality on youth well-being. The session will equip professionals working with young people exposed to trauma with the latest research, skills, and confidence to build more just and supportive systems.

15 May 2025 

17:00 - 18:30 BST
Online

From £10

Register

The British Library - Story Explorers, A Journey Through an Imaginary World

The British Library is offering a unique family experience, featuring books, ancient objects, art, and even a giant furry octopus! Visitors can explore three imaginative worlds—space, jungle, and ocean—created with families. The experience includes interactive elements, a book corner with braille and tactile editions, and opportunities to see diverse collection items, such as alien zines and early moon photographs. The visit lasts 1.5 hours, with capped visitor numbers to ensure space, and includes family-friendly facilities like a free buggy park and accessible toilets.

Friday 16 May 2025 - 18 Jan 2026

12 - 16:45 BST

Free

Recomended Age 2-9 - All Ages Welcome
96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB.

Book

Do You Mean What I Mean? Avoiding misunderstandings in youth mental health research.

Join Project CREATE for a lunch-hour webinar exploring how young people and researchers understand key terms like resilience, loneliness and data - and how these differences impact collaborative research.
With voices from researchers, arts practitioners and our Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG), this session offers insights into making youth mental health research more inclusive and reflective of lived experience.

Tuesday May 20 2025

12 - 13:00 BST

Online

Free

Register
UK Trauma Council Insight Series - Trauma and Learning Disabilities: Navigating Complex Childhood Needs

Dr. Laura Bartlett and Beck Ferrari will lead a post–Learning Disability Week webinar on meeting the trauma-related needs of children and young people with learning disabilities—an often-overlooked group facing service barriers and limited research. Beck Ferrari will discuss trauma-informed approaches, including a personal conversation with her sister, while Dr. Bartlett shares creative adaptations of evidence-based interventions from her NHS CAMHS practice. The session aims to equip professionals and carers with knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver compassionate, high-quality care, and attendees will receive a certificate of attendance.

26 June 2025 

17:00 - 18:30 BST
Online

From £10

Register
ATTUNE's 3rd Impact and Dissemination Conference

ATTUNE, a 4-year youth-led research programme combining arts, social science, and health, is holding its 3rd and final Impact and Dissemination Conference in London. Led by Professors Kam Bhui and Eunice Ma, the project works with 10–24-year-olds across England who have experienced adversity, aiming to improve mental health and wellbeing. Key outcomes include a public health resource (Validating Voices), a digital game (ACE of Hearts), and economic evaluations. The event will share findings and future steps with young people, professionals, and policymakers.

27 June 2025

10:00 - 16:00 BST

6-14 Underwood Street, N1 7JQ, London

Free

RegisterWebsite

REPORTS

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The Refugee and Migrant Children's Consortium (RMCC) has published a new report detailing the devastating consequences for separated children who are being wrongly assessed as adults (03/25)

Separated children arriving in the UK should receive protection and support, but many face disbelief about their age if they lack documents. The Refugee and Migrant Children’s Consortium (RMCC) has released a report exposing the serious harm caused when children are wrongly assessed as adults. Key concerns include children being placed in adult accommodation or detention, the risks of refusing flawed and harmful ‘scientific’ age assessments, and the broader damage caused by misleading statistics. The Separated Child Foundation supports the RMCC’s efforts to raise awareness... But what happens if they don't have any paperwork to prove how young they are, and if the first people they meet don't believe them?

Personal stories, like that of 15-year-old Aisha, highlight the trauma and barriers to education and safety these children face. You can read more stories on their website.

Read the ReportWebsite

People caught in ‘damaging cycle’ of re-admittance to mental health services due to a lack of suitable community support, CQC reports (13/5/25)

A March 2025 report by the Care Quality Commission reveals serious failings in mental health care in England, including staff and bed shortages, inadequate training, and poor aftercare. Patients, especially young people, ethnic minorities, and those from deprived areas are being placed far from home, discharged too early, or left without proper support. The CQC calls for urgent national action, including better funding, stronger community services, and a well-trained workforce to meet growing demand.

Read the Report

The UK has the shortest and least generous paternity leave in Europe just 2 weeks on low pay. New modelling for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Centre for Progressive Policy shows that extending it to 6 weeks at 90% pay could boost the economy by 2.68 billion, mainly by enabling more mothers to work. To maximise impact, eligibility should include all working fathers, including the self-employed.

Read the Report

ACTION AND TOOLS

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We Get Sick They Get Rich - Mad Youth Organise - A Just Treatment Campaign

Mental illness among young people in Britain has surged, with one in five aged 8–25 now likely to have a mental disorder. Many face long waits for inadequate support, with some losing their lives as a result. Despite this crisis, the government has failed to examine or take responsibility for the harmful economic and social policies contributing to it. In response, 25 young people with lived experience created The Mad Youth Manifesto, which frames mental distress as a systemic, collective issue. The manifesto highlights how corporate and governmental actions ranging from exploitative tech practices to rising housing costs are exploiting and harming young people. At the same time, there has been an explosion in private mental healthcare, meaning quality and timely support is often only available to those who can afford it leaving many young people without any real options.

It’s time to get angry. It’s time to fight back. And it’s time to build a world where young people can not only survive, but thrive.

Read More and Sign Up
Baby loss certificate scheme passes 'difficult' milestone

The UK Government recently announced that over 100,000 parents have received their baby loss certificates since the scheme's introduction in February 2024. While this is a positive step in recognising the devastation of baby loss, it’s just the beginning. Research shows that half of adults in the UK have been affected by baby loss, yet the 100,000 certificates represent only a fraction of those impacted. To understand the full scale, an official record of miscarriage is needed, something that has been campaigned for since 2022. The call is now for more support to show the government that every loss matters. Check out tommys.org for more info. 

If you or anyone you know wants to get a certificate click the link. 
Please add your name to show the government that every loss counts?.

WebsiteRequest a certificateSign Here

"Petition Urges Government to Establish Trauma-Informed Police for All Public Services"

A small group of practitioners linked to the Trauma Informed Systems Community of Practice are requesting the Government create a policy that ensures all public services become trauma informed. This is being bolstered by a government petition to gain the support of everyone interested in this area, practitioners and members of the public alike. Can we ask you all to please not only sign the petition yourselves but to share the link to it as widely as possible, both professionally and personally?

Sign

RACIAL JUSTICE

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Understanding Racism's Impact on Child Development

The Center on the Developing Child hosted a panel of experts to discuss how racism affects child development and lifelong health. Researchers shared findings on how racism influences children's environments and gets "under the skin," contributing to unequal opportunities. The panel also explored solutions to dismantle systemic barriers and support healthy development for all children.

Watch Here

Why Should Our Rage Be Tidy? 

VAMHN held a webinar titled "Why Should Our Rage be Tidy"  featured Sumanta Roy, Head of Research at Imkaan, and Prof Ravi Thiara from the University of Warwick. Roy has over 20 years of research experience in VAWG and social justice, while Thiara has conducted pioneering research on gendered violence in marginalised communities for three decades. Both are involved in policy and practice development in this field.



Black and minoritised women across the UK are enduring a mental health crisis driven by violence, trauma, systemic failures, and structural injustice. The latest report with Prof. Ravi Thiara explores intersection and life-altering consequences of mental ill-health and trauma experienced by racially minoritised women, due to violence and abuse.

WatchRead the Report

Funding for racial justice

Race and poverty are deeply connected in the UK, with Black Londoners nearly twice as likely to live in poverty as white Londoners. The Racial Justice Fund, backed by Trust for London and City Bridge Foundation, supports projects that economically empower Black and minoritised communities. Its goal is to boost both income and wealth key elements of economic empowerment, which the fund sees as essential to racial justice.

The fund has supported initiatives improving access to finance, fair pay, and wealth-building through regeneration and homeownership. It now seeks new projects focused on closing the ethnicity pensions gap, establishing minority-led credit unions, and fostering entrepreneurship to address the racial wealth gap. Interested applicants should contact the racial justice lead to discuss their ideas.

Find out More

LIVED EXPERIENCE

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Survivors Voice - Leaflets Written and Produced by Survivors 

On 9th May 2025, Survivors Voices celebrated the launch of 'leaflets written by survivors for survivors'. There are 26 leaflets offering a comprehensive series of free downloadable leaflets that address every facet of abuse and trauma, from understanding physical, emotional, sexual, and domestic abuse to exploring the impact of rape and sexual assault. They also cover crucial topics like self-care, caring for survivors, an introduction to what constitutes abuse, resources tailored especially for men and boys, and guidance on how to use the leaflet series effectively—and more. 

Have a look and share with your organisation

Read Here

NEWS AND INITIATIVES 

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LGBT+ Sector Leaders Statement on Supreme Court Ruling (16/4/25)

Consortium have issued a statement on the recent Supreme Court Ruling, LGBT+ organisations express deep concern over the ruling, and pledge to clarify its complex legal and practical implications while also reaffirming that the Equality Act still protects trans people, they invite others to sign their statement of solidarity and commitment to equal rights.



"LAH recognise that the Supreme Court’s definition of “sex” as biological under the Equality Act is retraumatising many people in the trans community. In the spirit of trauma-informed practice, we invite everyone regardless of viewpoint be involved in consultation. Let’s come together with empathy, mutual respect, and care to share insights that safeguard wellbeing and prevent harm".

Read Here

25 Years of ACEs Research and Practice: ACAMH Special Edition Newsletter (05/25)

ACAMH's ACEs Special Interest Group has released a special newsletter to mark the 25-year review of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) research and practice, published by the Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect. Compiled by Arnon Bentovim and Sarah Halligan, the newsletter promotes trauma and ACEs-related topics to keep our minds curious and knowledge up to date. 

Read Here

London Wildlife Trust - London's pavement wildlife

Anya Naumovic's article celebrates the resilience of urban plants, often dismissed as "weeds," that thrive in London's pavements. These plants, like dandelions and pineappleweed, adapt to harsh urban environments and provide vital resources for small creatures. Naumovic urges readers to appreciate these tenacious plants, which have swapped natural spaces for city landscapes. 



The London Wildlife Trust are offering a "Free Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Wildflowers" helps identify common wildflowers in London, offering a PDF guide with tips, details on 10 wildflowers, and a spotter sheet. It covers when and where to find these flowers in spring and summer.

Read HereGet Your Guide

BOOKS AND ARTICLES

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The International Journal of Nurture in Education - Volume 10 (2024-25)

The tenth volume of the International Journal of Nurture in Education celebrates its unique focus on nurturing approaches in education, featuring peer-reviewed articles by leading practitioners and researchers. Topics include behaviour as communication in restorative practice, the impact of whole-school nurturing programmes, children’s views on nurture groups, and theoretical insights with practical strategies for implementing whole-school nurture.

Read Here

A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of the Lifelong Links Intervention for Reducing Homelessness amongst Care Leavers (10/24)

Care leavers face a much higher risk of homelessness, yet evidence-based interventions are limited. The Lifelong Links programme, developed by the Family Rights Group in England, aims to build strong support networks for children in care. A quasi-experimental evaluation found that the programme reduced homelessness risk among care leavers aged 18–20 by around 10%, suggesting that stronger social connections can improve housing outcomes into adulthood.

Read Here

VIDEOS WEBINARS AND PODCASTS

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A Polyvagal Primer: The Story of Polyvagal Institute 

Wired for Connection is a new educational podcast produced and distributed by Polyvagal Institute, featuring conversations on a range of topics around Polyvagal Theory and the vagus nerve.

In this episode of Wired for Connection, Deb Dana and Stephen Porges discuss the development and therapeutic applications of Polyvagal Theory. Key takeaways include its transformative impact on understanding trauma through concepts like neuroception, the vital role of co-regulation in healing relationships, and the importance of a global community that continues to expand and apply the theory in diverse contexts.

Listen on SpotifyWatch on youtubeWebsite

The Person Centred Association: The Encounters Podcast

The Encounters Podcast is a new revealing, insightful encounter between people working in the world of person-centred psychology.There are many ‘therapy’ or ‘mental health’ podcasts out there, but we noticed there are very few which speak to the person-centred approach. The Encounters Podcast fills this gap, giving listeners a unique experience of a person-centred encounter, and a rich insight into person-centred psychological theory and practice. Listen on Spotify or check out The Person Centred Association website for more ways to listen and to find out more. 

ListenWebsite

Lived Experience in Action - Youth, Voice, Mental Health and Systems Change (11/4/25)

The Attune Project are delighted to share the latest episode of our podcast
Episode 25
- “Lived Experience in Action" - Youth Voice, Mental Health & Systems Change with Tamsyn Phillips. In this conversation with Sana, Tamsyn Phillips, Lived Experience Lead for Young Adults at NHS Kent and Medway Children’s Mental Health Commissioning Team, shares how her personal journey has shaped her work advocating for youth voice in mental health. She talks about the Young People’s Voice Project, challenges around misdiagnosis, and why embedding lived experience into commissioning is essential for real, sustainable change.

Connect with Attune and reshare via there socials

ListenWebsiteLinked inBluesky

A DOT OF INSPIRATION

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E&T Podcast - Two adult CSA and DV survivors who like to get together to talk about stuff.

A fab new podcast by 2 survivors of child sexual exploitation and domestic violence. Please check out the trailer and first episode and share widely!

Watch

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Disclaimer: News for Action is a collection of initiatives and information shared by members and collaborators of the London ACEs Hub (LAH).

The LAH is an independent and non-partisan network and the opinions here presented might not represent the LAH. All items included in this newsletter aim to promote constructive discussion as well as personal and collective development.

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