WAVE Trauma Centre, Ballymoney

WAVE, established in 1991, is a voluntary, cross community charitable organisation which offers care and support to anyone bereaved, traumatised or injured as a result of the Troubles/Conflict. The philosophy and ethos of the organisation is one of inclusiveness, providing care for anyone irrespective of religious, cultural or political belief.  WAVE promotes a respect for life and an understanding of difference that is seen as enhancing rather than threatening. WAVE continually seeks creative ways of working through issues that have the potential to divide.

Over the years the violence in Northern Ireland has led directly to the deaths of over 3,600 people and resulted in over 40,000 serious injuries. The Cost of the Troubles Study (1997) estimated that, “At the very least 6,800 people have the experience of one of their immediate family - parent or sibling - being killed in a troubles-related incident.” The true cost however, is much higher as the relatives of those killed and maimed have also suffered ill health, disruption of family relationships, impaired functioning, and substance abuse and in some cases when their grief became intolerable, suicide.  

Over the last twenty five years the level of calls and referrals to WAVE has increased year on year. Referrals are received from those affected by violence more recently in addition to those injured, traumatised or bereaved across the last four decades. This indicates the necessity of providing the services offered by WAVE on a long-term basis.

To date WAVE has offered care and support to over 10,000 people, a cross section of adults, young people and children. WAVE works to utilise the benefit of every pound received in funding or donations for the benefit of clients. The organisation’s management cost is extremely low at 8%, well below the recommended national level of 15%. WAVE offers exceptional value for funders and strong professional services for clients.

WAVE has extensive community based Trauma Education Programmes.  These programmes have been refined and developed over 18 years and offer students a range of options to meet their learning needs. Trauma Training includes:-

• Short Trauma Courses accredited by the School of Education at Queen’s University Belfast under their Open Learning Programme.
• A BSc. (Hons) in Psychological Trauma Studies is delivered in partnership with the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s University. It remains the only undergraduate trauma programme available in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
• A Postgraduate Pathway in Trauma Studies is currently being developed in partnership with University College, Cork. It is scheduled for delivery in the 2017/2018 academic year.
• Professional Development in trauma awareness and trauma informed practice for social work and nursing students is delivered in partnership with the Schools of Social Work and Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s University.