What is trauma-informed practice?

Trauma-informed practice recognises the widespread impact of trauma and integrates that understanding into policies, procedures, and interactions. It prioritises safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity.

Nova & Root | Trauma-Informed Consultancy & Training UK

Who we are

About Nova & Root

A trauma-informed consultancy and training practice rooted in healing, equity, and transformation

We're a values led limited company working toward becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC), to embed our mission of social impact, accountability, and service to communities we work with.

We combine professional expertise with lived experience. Our work is co-produced and community-embedded, grounded in survivor leadership, reflective practice, and inclusive design. We believe in doing the deep work of change, not just dreaming of brighter futures, but building conditions that make them possible.

Nova

A powerful burst of light after darkness: hope, healing, and resilience.

Transformation through crisis
Radiant new beginnings
Possibility from challenge

From darkness, new light emerges.

Root

Grounding, deep origin, and connection to what sustains us.

Anchored in lived experience
Deep, lasting change
Community wisdom

The deepest roots hold the strongest trees.

Our team

Meet our collaborators

Dedicated professionals passionate about creating change

Marta Almeida

Founder & CEO

With more than 15 years of experience supporting people through difficult and complex life experiences, I bring a compassionate and grounded approach to my work. My background combines professional experience with personal understanding, which allows me to connect with people in a genuine, respectful, and empathetic way.

My journey began at a young age after becoming a mother at 16 and having to rebuild my life independently. Those experiences shaped the way I work and gave me a deep understanding of resilience, strength, and the importance of feeling supported during difficult times.

Everything I do is led by empathy, honesty, and a strong belief that people can heal, grow, and rebuild their lives when they are met with care, understanding, and the right support.

Claire Beare

Trauma Informed Practitioner

Claire has spent many years supporting children, young people, and families through some of the most challenging experiences in their lives. Her career began in education, working closely with young people in behaviour support and pastoral care, where she developed a strong understanding of emotional wellbeing, safeguarding, and the importance of early support.

For the past nine years, Claire has continued her work within the sexual violence sector, advocating for and supporting young people with compassion, professionalism, and care.

She has also helped develop and deliver specialist training for professionals across the country, sharing knowledge and practical understanding gained through years of frontline experience.

Erika

Volunteer Social Media

Erika volunteers her time to manage the social media presence for Nova & Root, taking care of our channels and making sure our voice is consistent, visible, and reaching the right people. Her contribution is something we are incredibly grateful for.

She has a natural ability to communicate with warmth and clarity, turning the work we do into content that feels genuine and accessible. Whether it is a post about a new resource, a piece of awareness content, or a behind the scenes moment, Erika knows how to present it in a way that feels true to who we are.

Erika genuinely cares about the communities we serve and that comes through in everything she creates on behalf of Nova & Root. We are lucky to have her.

Rubina Barradas

Human Resources

Rubina is a Human Resources graduate and a master's student in Occupational Psychology with over 15 years of experience in leadership, administration and community engagement. Her work has centred on supporting people, building positive relationships and creating inclusive environments where individuals can thrive.

Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, she is passionate about advocacy, wellbeing and empowering others to reach their full potential.

Her approach is guided by empathy, integrity and a genuine commitment to helping people feel valued and supported. Whether working behind the scenes or directly with individuals, Rubina brings a steady presence that those around her can rely on.

What guides us

Our Values

Guiding principles that inform everything we do

Compassion First

We meet people, organisations, & systems exactly where they are - with empathy, patience & without judgement.

Authenticity

We work in ways that are honest, real, and reflective of who we are - no gimmicks, no jargon, no box-ticking.

Courage

We are willing to have hard conversations with kindness. We believe change requires bravery - and we walk alongside our partners in that journey.

Integrity

We hold ourselves accountable to the same trauma-informed principles we teach. If we ask others to reflect, we commit to reflecting too.

Empowerment

Our goal is not to "fix" anyone - it's to equip, inspire and strengthen others to lead their own change & healing.

Equity & Inclusion

We centre the experiences of people historically marginalised by systems. We believe trauma does not exist in a vacuum & neither does healing.

Hope & Possibility

We believe change is always possible - even in spaces that feel stuck, heavy or overwhelmed. Small shifts can create powerful ripples.

Reflection & Learning

We are committed to continuous reflection, learning, and unlearning, knowing that trauma-informed practice is not a destination, but an ongoing process.

Testimonials

From our partners

Real feedback from organisations we've had the privilege of working with

Working with Nova & Root changed how we approach our mission. Their trauma-informed lens gave us a new way to understand the communities we serve and, just as importantly, how we support each other internally. The ripples from that work are still being felt across everything we do.

Projeto Aconchego Team at Projeto Aconchego

The cultural shift we've seen since Nova & Root's work with us has been remarkable. Our teams feel more confident having difficult conversations, our managers are leading with empathy, and we have practical frameworks that make trauma-informed practice a reality, not just an aspiration.

Beare Services Ltd Team at Beare Services Ltd

Common enquiries

Frequently Asked Questions

Practical answers to common questions about our services

What services do you provide?

We offer trauma-informed training, organisational culture change consultancy, co-produced resource development, and tailored strategic support for organisations and teams.

Do you run remote sessions or only in-person?

We deliver both remote and in-person sessions. We tailor the format to your needs and the size of the group, prioritising accessibility and safety.

How long are the workshops?

Workshops typically range from 2 hours to full-day sessions. We also offer multi-session packages for deeper organisational change work.

How can we book or request a proposal?

Email us at nova@novaandroot.co.uk or use the contact form below with details about your organisation and goals; we'll respond with next steps and a proposal.

Do you work with organisations of all sizes?

Yes, we work with small teams, charities, public sector bodies, and larger organisations. We scale our approach to fit your resources and aims.

What are your fees and how do you charge?

Our fees depend on the scope, duration, and format of the work. We offer fixed-price workshops, day rates for consultancy, and tailored packages for longer engagements. Contact us for a transparent proposal and we'll outline options to fit your budget.

Helping people and organisations become trauma-informed, consent-rooted, and emotionally safe