Racism, trauma and the impact on our wellbeing
What is Racism, Trauma and the impact on our wellbeing?
A confidential space to discuss, explore and share your direct experiences, over 4 weeks. This group is held for students who are Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic Persons and People of Colour*.
The aim of the 4-week group
Run as a small, closed group of up to 8 -10 people, this discussion and support group offers a space for students to think about issues that include the nature of trauma, oppression and oppressive practices. In looking at the impact of racism on physical and mental health, we can give attention to individual, collective and intersectional experiences, along with ancestral trauma. Together, these can help us shed light on the way racism is internalised, and on processes of assimilation that can create voiceless-ness. The group will share ways in which we can learn, enable and promote our good mental and physical wellbeing.
Offered on a first come first served basis and designed for students who would like to meet regularly, to be a listening, sharing and reflective resource to each other.
*As with all people, those attending the meeting will be part of a diverse group, with nuanced, rich and complex narratives that cannot be adequately or appropriately expressed by the acronym B.A.M.E. or the description above.
Students need to be able to attend all four weeks:
Day: Wednesday (Morning)
Time: 10:15 to 12:45pm. (Break included)
Dates: February 7,14, 21, 28 2024
Duration: Four consecutive weeks
Venue: Jo Cox More in Common Centre. (No 19 on the Campus Map )
Mode: Face-to-face
To book a place, please contact counselling@hud.ac.uk
The structure of the 4-week group
Allows each session to have its own agreed themes, offered by the facilitator and co-created with the group.
- Our uniqueness and difference as well as our sameness’s are welcomed and acknowledged.
- Students are strongly encouraged to commit to all sessions to enable support in a consistent way and for the group to get to know each other.
- Personal content is confidential to the group, and no one is encouraged to share any more than they wish.
- The ground rules of the group are set out in a ‘group agreement’. These can be added to by the whole group and with agreement from the whole group.
- Prior to the group starting, the facilitator will arrange a one-to-one meeting to discuss your general expectations and answer any important questions you may have. This is designed to support each person and is an opportunity to ‘say hello’ before the group begins to meet.
- A Record of attendees, only, is kept on our service database.
- Feedback sheets will be offered at the end of the series of meetings, or a link provided.
- Allows each session to have its own agreed theme, content and plan offered by the facilitator as an agreed schedule of topics and co-created with the group
Being in a group can be helpful and a powerful source of support. It can at times also feel exposing, especially given the subject matter and at the beginning when everyone is getting a sense of working together. Participants may wish to identify someone or something, that supports them, that is caring and affirming of them between sessions.
The group is facilitated by Venessa Ama, a Student Services counsellor, psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, with special interests that include Identity. Once you have expressed your interest & booked your place, by emailing counselling@hud.ac.uk Venessa will contact you to arrange a one-to-one appointment to discuss your expectations and answer any questions.
If you have any concerns about attending, please speak to Venessa Ama, or Emma Carpenter (Wellbeing Manager), as appropriate (see below).
Venessa Ama Emma Carpenter
Psychological Counsellor Wellbeing Manager
v.ama@hud.ac.uk e.carpenter@hud.ac.uk
Student Counselling Service Student Services
Jo Cox More In Common Centre Student Central Level 4