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Contact: Sandra Peake

5 Chichester Park South

Tel: 028 9077 9922

E-Mail: wavetc@clara.co.uk

Status of organisation:

Number of staff:

Aims and Objectives

To follow a policy of inclusion regardless of an individual's religious, political or cultural background or beliefs by offering services to anyone who sees her/himself as a victim bereaved/traumatised through the 'Troubles';
To ensure that all individuals (adults, teenagers and children) bereaved or traumatised through the 'Troubles' are offered help and support in accordance with their individual needs by offering a number of programmes in working towards healing;
To address issues and emotions that arise within the individual as a result of their traumatic experience in a way that is constructive rather than destructive, to ensure a respect for life and an understanding of difference which is enhancing rather than threatening;
To actively promote the participation of members in every aspect of the organisation and help empower individuals to regain control and confidence in their lives;
To raise awareness among the wider community concerning issues relating to trauma as a result of the 'Troubles'.

Projects and Activities

WAVE provides a number of support programmes which will facilitate individuals to address issues and emotions which often hinder recovery and in the long term reconciliation:

Peer Group Support - for those bereaved or traumatised, those severely injured and those who care for them.
Befriending/Visiting - To those unable to come to the centre and those living in isolated areas such as the border areas. This service promotes the inclusion of those who feel isolated, because of fear for personal safety, lack of confidence, mistrust etc.
Training - this is in relation to befriending group work skills and basic counselling skills and facilitation of children's and young people's bereavement programme.
Advocacy and campaigning - This is in relation to issues which hinder recovery, such as compensation issues, benefits, and welfare issues.
Seminars - A number of seminars are held each year in relation to: 'The Grieving Process', 'Legal/Financial matters in relation to violent death ie. compensation', 'Children's Grieving Process', 'Personal Development', 'Relaxation and Stress Reduction', 'Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)' and 'The Healing Process'.
Public forums - Situations where members, young people and children can tell the story of their suffering. The aim of this public forum is to highlight the long term effects of the violence on families bereaved or traumatised by the violence in Northern Ireland.
Conferences - These are organised on a yearly basis in relation to issues beyond trauma. At each conference there are visiting speakers and input from WAVE members on their own experiences of living with the consequences of their trauma and their struggle towards recovery.
Networking - this occurs with groups which may hold conflicting views, in working towards greater understanding.