Anglesey has celebrated the important and significant strides made in becoming a trauma-informed island.

Since 2023, the county council has adopted an organisational approach to promote connections and relationships to support those struggling with adversity or trauma in their lives. This has included helping to effectively support the underlying needs of children and the community with empathy and compassion.

Vital financial support from the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) has been essential in training staff and members of the wider community.

Training has also been provided to the island's schools, children and family Services, education and community partners ensuring that the widespread impact of trauma is recognised and included in practices and policies to promote safety, empowerment, and healing.

Last week saw a special event, with key partners and stakeholders, held at the Menai Science Parc, Gaerwen, to celebrate the island’s trauma-informed journey to date.

One of the highlights saw Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni named as the first mainstream secondary school in the UK to receive the Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award from TISUK (Trauma Informed Schools UK).

Headteacher Huw Davies accepted the award from Director of TISUK Cymru, Dr Coral Harper.

Anglesey council's Director of Social Services, Fôn Roberts, said, “As a trauma-informed island, we can support children and young people and offer them the best opportunities.

“This allows them to grow into well-rounded, robust and resilient young adults, parents, and members of their own communities.”

“Many have suffered from trauma in their lives, but our work ensures that their behaviour does not acts as a barrier to learning and living happy and successful lives.”

Children, Young People and Families portfolio holder, Councillor Dyfed Wyn Jones, added, "It was an honour to attend last week’s conference at M-Sparc and share our experiences and learning about becoming a trauma-informed Anglesey. It was also pleasing to see Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni’s staff and pupils rewarded as a national trauma informed exemplar.”

Ends 19 September 2025

Notes to editors

The TISUK report said that Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni provided a safe, caring, and nurturing environment in which all pupils are supported to succeed and feel happy and safe whilst in school. Pupils feel happy, supported, and that school is inclusive; ‘like a community’.

‘Positive relationships exist between the adults and pupils, pupils have access to emotionally available adults and know who they can talk to and where they can go if they need or want to. The school is led by a passionate, caring and inclusive senior leadership team; their values are child-centred and shared widely with the school’s stakeholders.’

‘The school has willingness and supportive nature of the staff team to implement trauma-informed approaches to support the direction of the school is clear. The school have ensured that all staff have been equipped with the knowledge and understanding needed to use the model to support all learners.’

‘The pupils are a credit to themselves, and the school and the highlight of the visit was talking to a group of pupils from across the year groups – all eloquent, delightful and reflective young people with ambition and dreams.’