Making sense of COVID-19

The SENSE model was adapted to respond to the unprecedented global crisis of COVID-19 and has been used by a number of statutory and non-statutory services across the UK to provide a framework for their response.

COVID-19

In 2020 Nicola was appointed as the clinical lead for a Department of Health and Social Care funded project to provide support to those affected by sudden bereavement. During this time the SENSE model was used to underpin trauma informed early intervention approaches to bereavement care.

The impact of COVID-19 and its necessary restrictions to our normal way of life was experienced across communities, impacting on children, young people, adults, the elderly and their families. It was a time when anxiety levels were high and the future uncertain. The revised SENSE model was adapted to enable it to be delivered remotely, providing an effective way of promoting access to and engagement with support during this time.

Special guidelines were developed to help professionals and organisations implement this approach.

Download the guidelines.

Please feel free to get in touch with Nicola for further information.

Stabilisation

Education

Normalisation

Social Support

Engagement

Stabilisation

Meeting immediate practical and emotional needs.
This may include food, toiletries and medication. Remember to explore what is considered to be ‘essential’ as this will mean different things to different people.

Education

Helping people to understand and recognise how and why they feel as they do. Remember the current crisis will mean different things to different people.

Normalisation

Information and understanding will provide reassurance that responses to the crisis are normal and expected.

Social Support

Facilitating connections with family, friends and the wider community. Given the restrictions on social contact and the need for social distancing, creative and innovative approaches are needed to facilitate this.

Engagement

Promoting engagement with sources of support and activities which are meaningful and beneficial. Remember to focus on what is achievable to reduce a sense of confusion and overwhelm and encourage motivation.

Image credit

Photograph of Naomi Baum’s ‘My Resilience Workbook’, selected as children across the country draw pictures of rainbows and display them in their windows to symbolise solidarity and hope.

Get in touch

Nicola welcomes the opportunity to discuss psychological trauma consultancy, training, supervision and clinical support to organisations and individuals, both in the UK and internationally.

Email

consultancy@nicolalester.co.uk

Phone

07912 763247