A NEW trauma resource designed by and for young people has been launched in Essex. The Young Person’s Trauma Keyring, created by the Healthwatch Essex Trauma Ambassador Group in collaboration with young people across the county, is a discreet tool that empowers young people to alert professionals when they are experiencing the effects of trauma.
The keyring can be used in schools, colleges, GP surgeries, hospitals, and other everyday settings. By showing it to a professional, young people can quickly communicate that their behaviour may be linked to trauma – helping to reduce misunderstanding and improve support.
One young person involved in the project explained:
“I find it really hard not to get upset sometimes, but then if I go to leave class, it looks like I’m playing up.”
Another added:
“We aren’t allowed to wear jewellery or carry phones in school, so it needs to be something that we wouldn’t get told off for.”
The keyring follows on from the successful Healthwatch Essex Trauma Card, originally developed by the Trauma Ambassador Group. While the card continues to be widely used, young people said they wanted a more discreet and portable option, which led to the creation of the keyring.
Sharon Westfield de Cortez, Information and Guidance Manager at Healthwatch Essex, said: “This project shows the power of co-production. By working directly with young people and listening to their experiences, we’ve been able to create a resource that genuinely meets their needs. The keyring is about empowerment – giving young people a simple way to communicate what they’re going through and helping professionals to respond with understanding.”
The Trauma Keyring is free to request and available now. Any young person across Essex can get one here.
