Deirdre McLaughlin established Connected for Life with her colleague, Marie Blaney, in 2016. Deirdre is a psychology graduate, social worker and systemic practitioner with many years of experience in a range of settings, including Youth Justice, in both practice and management roles. She is also a part-time lecturer in social work and health and social care at Belfast Metropolitan College. Connected for Life aims to raise awareness of the far-reaching impact of trauma and adversity on individuals, families, organisations and communities and to support those impacted. They do so through providing a range of services for individuals, families, parents, professionals, organisations and communities, including presentations, training and consultation as well as developing and delivering a range of interventions. Connected for Life is currently supporting Early Intervention Lisburn’s Connected Minds project, which aims to support children’s mental health and develop a more trauma-informed community in the Lisburn area, by providing support for organisations, parents and young people. This includes supporting organisations in their journey to becoming more trauma-informed and responsive through training and mentoring, facilitating a range of online webinars and their Start from the Heart’ groups for parents and programmes for young people. They are also working with a range of organisations and groups, including the Irish Midlands Trauma Informed Communities Training Network and have facilitated Start from the Heart Train the Trainer programmes through CYPSC Laois/Offaly and CYPSC Longford/Westmeath