Protocol for the Evaluation of Project W – Women's Substance Support Service in Portsmouth

This is the protocol for the Public Health Intervention Responsive Study Team (PHIRST) EMPower evaluation of the Project W – Women's Substance Support Service in Portsmouth. Evaluation Setting Project W is a women’s substance support service in Portsmouth. It operates as a women-only drop in service two days a week. Project W provides holistic support as a ‘one stop shop’, bringing together a wide variety of organisations and services in one place. It aims to provide a safe, supportive space for women to access recovery treatment and work towards their recovery goals.Project W was created after Portsmouth City Council’s women’s substance misuse needs assessment found that women felt uncomfortable at mixed gender substance support services. Aims Our evaluation of Project W aims to understand how Project W works to support women and contributes to positive change in their lives.1. To understand the ‘key ingredients’ that make Project W work as a safe, supportive space for women in recovery from substance use issues2. To explore how women journey through Project W to make meaningful changes to their lives To do this, we will speak to women who attend Project W, as well as staff and stakeholders. An important part of our approach is drawing on lived experience expertise; we have a lived experience advisory group and a peer researcher on the research team.Our research methods include:• Observation work to understand how Project W works day to day and build trust with the women who attend.• A paper based survey for women who want to feedback but do not feel comfortable directly speaking to researchers.• 2 creative focus groups engaging up to 12 women. These focus groups will enable women to share their stories and journeys at Project W in a creative way.• 10 interviews with women at Project W, either 1-1 or in small groups. This will cover women’s experiences using the service.• 10-15 interviews with staff and stakeholders involved in the development or delivery of Project W.