Stroud Salvation Army launches free ‘Trauma and God’ recovery course

The Salvation Army in Stroud Salvation Army has launched a 12-week programme, ‘Trauma and God’, designed to support individuals on a journey of recovery from traumatic experiences. This vital course that began 13 January embodies the church’s core mission as a ‘Recovery Church’, creating a safe, supportive space where healing and faith intersect.

The programme was developed in direct response to a profound need identified within the local community. 

Church leader, Christopher Button, explains, “One of the most common denominators among the people we serve has been the experience of trauma, which often leads to complex lives with negative consequences for wellbeing. This includes a significant percentage of women who have experienced domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault. We felt called to offer a way for people to explore the long-term impact of trauma and how faith can support their reconstruction into wellbeing and health.”

A unique, holistic approach to recovery

More than just a counselling session or a traditional Bible study, the ‘Trauma and God’ course is a cornerstone of the Stroud Salvation Army’s distinctive ‘Recovery Church’ model. The weekly Thursday evening sessions (6-8pm) are carefully structured to foster community and deep, practical learning.

Each evening starts with an informal gathering and a shared meal at 6:30pm. 

From 7pm, the group engages with weekly themes through directed teaching, group discussion, video reflections, and practical skills development. Over the 12 weeks, topics will include the physiological impact of trauma on the brain, its effects on memory and relationships, and the complex role of faith—exploring how religion can both help and hinder, and how faith can ultimately support healing.

“We use psychology alongside theology in our discussions. There is no expectation of faith for those who attend, but we do not shy away from our belief that Christ is the great healer of our wounds. Our goal is the biblical promise of ‘Shalom’—peace and ‘life in all its fullness’.”

The course is led by Christopher Button, who brings a wealth of relevant experience, including a PhD in Divinity, a diploma in Learning and Development, and eight years of service within The Salvation Army’s homelessness sector, alongside his pastoral role.

Open to all, focused on transformation

The course is open to anyone in the wider Stroud community, regardless of background or belief. There is no cost to attend, though donations are welcomed to cover expenses.

“The most important message I want someone to know is that their past does not have to define who they are. They are loved, and their pain can be transformed into something beautiful if they are brave enough to work for it.” 

This sentiment is echoed in the testimony of a previous attendee of the Recovery Church, who shared that being part of the community “made me feel like I belonged, and if I belonged, then maybe I was actually worth something.”

The Stroud Salvation Army hopes the ‘Trauma and God’ course will have a ripple effect, strengthening the very fabric of the local community. 

“I hope that the more people can recognise the healing they need, the more aware they will be of each other’s pain and the more gracious and forgiving they will be. We also hope this course will help foster a community ever more shaped by love.”

For more information, to express interest, or for a confidential conversation about any anxieties around attending, please contact Stroud Salvation Army at stroud@salvationarmy.org.uk or christopher.button@salvationarmy.org.uk or phone:  01453765528.