Community Work
Developing Community Leaders Through Trauma-Informed Practice
At LVC Trust, we believe that the people best placed to transform communities are often those who have lived through the very challenges they now seek to solve.
Whether someone has experienced the care system, been a young carer, left prison, experienced homelessness or overcome significant adversity, their lived experience is not a barrier to leadership — it is often their greatest strength.
Across the charity sector, there is growing recognition that services should be shaped by people with lived experience. We wholeheartedly agree.
But we believe the conversation must go one step further.
When we ask people to lead because of their lived experience, we must also recognise that many are still living with the impact of that experience.
The effects of trauma, grief, disrupted education, caring responsibilities, institutionalisation or prolonged disadvantage do not simply disappear when someone becomes a community leader.
These experiences can influence confidence, emotional wellbeing, learning, decision-making, organisational leadership and even how someone responds to challenge or rejection.
If we truly value lived experience, we have a responsibility to care for the person carrying that experience.
That is the heart of our community work.
What Makes LVC Trust Different?
Many organisations develop community leaders.
We develop community leaders while caring for the person behind the leadership.
Our programmes are designed around a trauma-informed approach that recognises that leadership is not just about governance, fundraising or strategy. It is also about emotional resilience, confidence, wellbeing and sustainable growth.
Our consultants are:
Certified in trauma-informed leadership and delivery
Experienced charity governance specialists
Social enterprise and community development practitioners
Leaders with lived experience themselves
This means we understand both how to build organisations and how to support the people building them.
Our focus includes:
Emotional wellbeing
Mental Wellbeing
Meaningful connection
Support for Black female academics
Leadership development
Safe spaces for honest conversations
Because leaders deserve spaces where they too are cared for.
Turning Lived Experience into Lasting Impact
Why Trauma-Informed Leadership Matters
People with lived experience often bring extraordinary strengths:
- Resilience
- Empathy
- Authenticity
- Community trust
- Deep insight
But they may also have experienced:
- Disrupted education
- Caring responsibilities
- Loss and bereavement
- Institutional trauma
- Periods without consistent support
This means that tasks others may take for granted — such as understanding governance, completing paperwork or writing funding applications — can sometimes require additional support.
We do not see this as a deficit.
We see it as a reason to design better, more compassionate leadership development.
How We Support Leaders
Our training and mentoring programmes include:
Trauma-informed leadership development
Build confidence, self-awareness and sustainable leadership practices.
Charity governance and trustee responsibilities
Understand legal duties, governance structures and good organisational practice.
Charity and CIC formation
Set up the right structure with practical, step-by-step support.
Project planning and organisational strategy
Turn lived experience into clear, achievable community programmes.
Fundraising and grant readiness
Prepare strong applications and build confidence around funding processes.
Mental health and emotional wellbeing support
Protect wellbeing while leading and supporting others.
We also help leaders develop healthy boundaries, respond to setbacks constructively and build organisations that do not rely solely on personal sacrifice.
Because leadership should never come at the cost of someone's wellbeing.
Case Study: Seyi Jenyo
Founder, Not A Statistic
Seyi joined LVC Trust in support for her organisation Not A Statistic
Having experienced significant childhood adversity including becoming a young carer, Seyi wanted to ensure that other young people would never feel defined by their circumstances.
At LVC Trust, we recognised that lived experience alone should never be expected to carry the weight of leadership.
Using a trauma-informed approach, we worked alongside Seyi to help her transform her vision into a sustainable organisation.
Together we supported her to:
Develop the vision and mission for Not A Statistic
Establish the organisation and complete governance requirements
Open organisational bank accounts
Navigate paperwork and compliance
Design community projects and programmes
Build confidence as a founder and community leader
Today, Not A Statistic delivers programmes for care-experienced young people across London and has worked with King's College London's Scholars Programme, delivering workshops and transition support in schools across the capital.
To learn more about Seyi's work, you can read about Not A Statistic here.
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Seyi's Impact
Founder supported
Organisation launched
Schools reached
Young people supported
Seyi's story reflects what happens when lived experience is met with the right investment, care and leadership development.
At LVC Trust, we didn't simply help create a charity.
We invested in the leader behind it.
Our Philosophy
The sector has rightly recognised the importance of lived experience.
At LVC Trust, we believe the next step is recognising the importance of caring for the people with that lived experience.
We believe:
Leadership should never come at the expense of someone's wellbeing.
Trauma-informed practice should be embedded within leadership development, not added as an afterthought.
Community leaders deserve practical support, emotional support and long-term investment.
Healthy leaders create healthier organisations and stronger communities.
Our Commitment
We are committed to developing a new generation of community leaders who are not only equipped to create change, but are also supported to thrive personally, emotionally and professionally.
Because people with lived experience deserve investment, development and care.
Work With Us
If your organisation is looking to develop community leaders through a trauma-informed approach, we would love to hear from you.
Leadership Training
Governance Support
Partnerships
LVC Trust - Developing community leaders through trauma-informed practice.