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BLUE LIGHT CARD FOUNDATION’S UNWAVERING SUPPORT

How Our Grant Provided Support for Those Affected by the Southport Attacks and Subsequent Riots

Trigger Warning: The following content discusses traumatic events, including violence and the impact on emergency responders.

“On 29th July 2024, the tragic attack at a Southport dance studio took the lives of three young children, leaving the community in shock and grief. The attack prompted a massive emergency response, with over 100 blue light personnel deployed, including ambulances, armed units, air ambulances, and specialist teams. Despite their efforts, two children died at the scene, another passed away in hospital, and eight children and two adults were seriously injured. The traumatic scale of the incident exposed responders to distressing scenes, raising urgent concerns for their mental health and well-being.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, widespread unrest occurred in several locations across the UK, placing additional strain on the frontline responders. Violent clashes in Southport resulted in over 80 officers being injured, with many experiencing both physical and emotional challenges. As officers were mobilised from across the UK to respond to the unrest, concerns about fatigue and the long-term effects on their wellbeing increased, with over 130 officers injured by the end of the incidents

The Blue Light Card Foundation’s funding played a pivotal role in providing swift mental health support to responders affected by both the Southport attack and the subsequent riots. Trauma-focused care, such as CBT and EMDR therapy, was made available to those in need.

These programmes, offered through expert-led residential psychological wellbeing initiatives, not only supported immediate recovery but also ensured continued care for the long-term challenges responders face, including media scrutiny and legal trials.

While we cannot prevent people in the blue light community from being exposed to trauma, our support for them remains steadfast when they face such challenges.”

Emma Woods-Bolger
CEO, Blue Light Card Foundation

In the aftermath of the tragic incidents in Southport, a male police officer found himself grappling with the invisible wounds of trauma. As one of the first responders on the scene, he had witnessed unimaginable events that left an indelible mark on his mind and spirit. Yet, it wasn’t until he attended a talk organised by the North West Police Benevolent Fund, focused on officer welfare, that he realised he was struggling with many of the symptoms of trauma described.

Recognising the need for support, he courageously referred himself for therapy. Thanks to a grant from the Blue Light Card Foundation, he was able to quickly access the help he needed, eliminating the barriers of long waiting times and ensuring he could begin his journey to recovery without delay.

Upon entering therapy, his initial assessments painted a vivid picture of his struggles: a PHQ-9 score of 12 indicating moderate depression, a GAD-7 score of 10 reflecting significant anxiety, and an IES-R score of 58 highlighting severe post-traumatic symptoms, particularly intrusive thoughts.

The officer described vivid flashbacks that transported him back to the scene, overwhelming feelings of hypervigilance, irritability, and a persistent sense of dread.

The Path to Recovery

From the outset, therapy provided a space for stability and understanding. Psychoeducation helped him make sense of his symptoms, normalising his reactions and offering reassurance that recovery was possible. Techniques such as breathing exercises, grounding strategies, and imagery work became lifelines. Trauma-focused CBT allowed him to confront and process the memories that haunted him, piece by piece, empowering him to regain a sense of control in the midst of chaos.

Over the course of three months, the officer’s dedication to his healing journey brought measurable progress. A repeat IES-R assessment revealed a significant drop to a score of 17, indicating marked improvement in his post-traumatic symptoms. The flashbacks became less frequent, his hypervigilance eased, and he began to feel moments of calm he hadn’t experienced in months.

Navigating Ongoing Challenges

Despite this progress, new challenges emerged. Media coverage of the incident and its misrepresentation of events felt like a betrayal of his reality, stirring deep frustration and unresolved emotions. Additionally, the anticipation of the defendant’s trial kept the trauma fresh in his mind, giving him a sense that the chapter was far from closed.

Therapy adapted to meet these evolving needs, providing a space to process these new struggles. Sessions focused on finding ways to reconcile the discrepancies between his memory and public narratives while preparing emotionally for the trial.

A Testament to Resilience

His ability to access therapy so swiftly, made possible by the Blue Light Card Foundation’s grant, was instrumental in his recovery, ensuring he had timely support at a critical moment.

His journey is a powerful testament to the courage it takes to seek help and the resilience required to face trauma head-on. Though the road to healing is ongoing, he has proven to himself that recovery is possible, even in the face of profound challenges. With each session, he moves closer to finding peace, strength, and a renewed sense of hope for the future.

At just 24 years old, a female police officer faced one of the most harrowing moments of her career attending a tragic incident in Southport that claimed multiple lives.

Struggling with overwhelming distress, disturbing imagery, and physical symptoms of anxiety, she courageously reached out for support.

Thanks to the Blue Light Card Foundation’s grant to St Michael’s Police Treatment Centre she was able to access therapy quickly.

From the outset, it was clear that the trauma she had experienced was deeply affecting her wellbeing.

She began counselling with a clear goal: to feel less anxious, manage the distressing memories, and regain control over her life.

The team collaborated with the officer to create a treatment plan centred on EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy, a trauma-focused intervention designed to help process disturbing memories and integrate them in a healthier way. At its core, EMDR draws on the brain’s natural ability to heal, a powerful testament to the resilience within us all.

Building a Foundation of Safety and Regulation

The early sessions focused on creating a foundation of emotional and physical regulation. Together, they explored strategies to help her manage distress, incorporating breathwork, somatic techniques, and grounding exercises. Using visualisations like ‘safe place’ imagery and elements of mindfulness, she began to feel more anchored in the present moment.

A pivotal moment came early in the process, where a Flash technique paired with bilateral stimulation (BLS) offered immediate relief from her heightened physical and emotional distress. Encouraged, the officer began using these tools outside of therapy, building her own “regulation first aid kit” filled with personalised strategies that calmed her in moments of need.

Navigating Ongoing Challenges

As the sessions continued, the officer found herself no longer needing as many appointments. Instead, she chose to spend more time at home, enjoying the newfound peace she had worked so hard to achieve. She later shared that the calm had endured, no flashbacks, no distress, just a sense of relief and control.

A Testament to Resilience

While her therapy journey isn’t over, the transformation is undeniable.

From a place of overwhelming anxiety and trauma, she has emerged stronger, equipped with tools to navigate her challenges and a renewed belief in her ability to heal.

Support has been pledged to ensure the officer can access further therapy when the trial starts, with a session already scheduled to review and reassess her therapeutic goals and needs at that time.

If the content has affected you in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the support services listed below.

They are here to provide help, guidance, and a listening ear whenever you need it. You don’t have to face things alone, support is always available.

Samaritans: Provides confidential emotional support 24/7 – Phone: 116 123 (free from any phone), samaritans.org

Shout 85258: Offers free, confidential support via text message, available 24/7, Text: Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258, giveusashout.org

If you’re a Blue Light worker, tailored support is available here.

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