WAVE Trauma Centre

WAVE was formed in 1991 from a small nucleus of eight women, all of whom had lost their partner in the Troubles/Conflict in Northern Ireland. Initially the acronym ‘WAVE’ stood for Widows Against Violence Empower, as the objective of the organisation was to empower women whose husbands or partners were murdered. The women chose a lighthouse as the corporate logo as they wanted WAVE to become a beacon of light for many people coping with the aftermath of traumatic bereavement and/or injury as a result of conflict. Today WAVE is the largest cross community victims’ group in Northern Ireland, with five centres and 15 satellite projects, spread across the country. It is to the credit of all those involved that it has grown so successfully from what amounted to very modest beginnings. The organisation was formed relatively late in the Troubles in response to specific need. Whilst initially concerned with the bereaved, in 1995 the remit was expanded to include those who were injured and/or traumatised in the Troubles/Conflict in Northern Ireland.