Putting shame on the map in the youth sector.
The Shame Initiative is our newest initiative: the next evolution of trauma-informed practice.
We believe shame is one of the most powerful and invisible forces shaping young people’s lives — especially those who’ve experienced care, exclusion or marginalisation. Yet it’s rarely named, let alone understood. We’re here to change that.
Frontline professionals regularly encounter shame, but lack the frameworks and tools to recognise and respond to it safely.
What is The Shame Initiative?
A movement to help youth professionals recognise, understand and respond to shame — in themselves, in their organisations, and in the young people they serve. We’re building a practical, research-informed framework combining:
- Training for frontline professionals and organisations
- Tools to embed shame-informed principles in everyday practice
- Consultancy with leaders and systems
- Collaboration with academics, funders, policymakers
Our Vision
To put shame on the map in the youth sector — developing shame-informed practice as the next evolution of trauma-informed care. Through training, consultancy and collaboration, we aim to transform how professionals understand and respond to young people, and spark a national conversation that reaches practitioners, policymakers, academics, and funders alike.
