Life during the pandemic was a difficult time for everyone, especially for our young people, with many experiencing isolation, stress and anxiety. COVID-19 exacerbated the experience of children who are at risk of ACEs or are experiencing them in the home. Lack of access to school friends, teachers, social workers and the safe space and services that schools provide meant more children were unable to have their voices heard or access support/protective factors.
With almost half the people in Wales having experienced an ACE during childhood, our objective was to start changing attitudes towards those who have experienced ACEs and create a more “ACE aware Wales” by encouraging people to be compassionate and understand that everyone can play a role in building resilience in children.