Project W is a pioneering women-only substance misuse service in Portsmouth, designed to address the complex and often overlapping challenges faced by women affected by addiction, violence, and social exclusion.
Commissioned by Portsmouth City Council and supported by the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG), the service is delivered collaboratively by multiple partners including Ambition Portsmouth, Stop Domestic Abuse, The Society of St James, and public health.
Operating every Wednesday and Thursday from Ambition Portsmouth – a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO) – Project W offers a safe, trauma-informed space for women with substance misuse needs or a history of rough sleeping. Services include domestic abuse support, health clinics, acupuncture, childcare, arts and crafts, peer support, and employment assistance.
Women are underrepresented in substance misuse treatment, comprising only 33 per cent of service users in Portsmouth. Many face unique challenges such as trauma, caregiving responsibilities, stigma, and involvement with the criminal justice system. Project W was co-designed with women with lived experience, ensuring the service is responsive, accessible, and empowering.
Evaluation shows strong outcomes: attendance has steadily increased, with up to 30 women attending in a single day. A survey of 22 participants revealed that 100 per cent felt safe and had made positive life changes, 95 per cent reported improved mental health, and 85 per cent accessed substance use support. Women praised the informal, drop-in nature of the service and the peer-led environment, which fosters trust and engagement.
Workshops like ‘My Choice,’ delivered by Stop Domestic Abuse, have empowered women to recognise unhealthy relationship patterns and take steps toward recovery and independence. The project’s success lies in its collaborative foundation, ongoing feedback loops, and commitment to evolving based on women’s needs.
Project W exemplifies best practice in integrated, trauma-informed care for women, demonstrating how co-production, peer support, and multi-agency collaboration can transform lives.
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