Enhancing the voice of women journeying through and beyond problematic substance use: Reverse innovation insights from India to the UK (September 2024 – February 2027)
Purpose
The aim of this project is to enhance the voice of women journeying through and beyond problematic substance use through bringing insights from expertise in visual methods with substance users in the UK and embedding their perspectives in research, policy, service development.
Process
Women living in the UK, 18 years and older, with experiences of journeying through problematic use of substance are invited to share their stories through photos and timelines. We will have a conversation-like interview where participants will talk through the photos they bring, sharing their meaning in relation to their journey while placing them in a timeline they would have created during the conversation. At the end of our meeting, participants will also be invited to take part in a filmmaking workshop where we will together create short films based on stories participants share, while keeping identities anonymous if they wish. These short films will be directed towards creating awareness and mitigating stereotypes and stigma around women faced with problems related to substance use.
People
This project is part of a postdoctoral fellowship awarded to Dr. Raginie Duara. It is supervised by Prof. Anna Madill of School of Psychology and Dr. Netalie Shloim of School of Healthcare at the University of Leeds.
Partners
This work is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding Guarantee. The University of Leeds is partnered with Waythrough, a charity providing support for mental health, drugs, alcohol or related challenges. Dr Mark Crowe, the Research and Development Co-ordinator of Waythrough, is supporting the supervision of this work and facilitating the partnership.
Examples of participant-produced photos and related quotes
Co-produced short films
The Worth Within (Trailer)
This short film is about a woman who shared her experience of navigating her way from addiction to recovery while struggling to develop her self-worth. Photos and videos she gathered were put together along with quotes from the interview, ironed into a moving film about what it is like to be a woman making this journey. The participant chose to remain anonymous, however, her work is extremely valuable to convey what it feels like to be a woman making this arduous journey.
The Climb (Trailer)
The Climb’ traces the journey of a woman through trauma, addiction, and healing. Created through a collaborative visual process, it holds lived experience at its centre.
With deepest gratitude to the participant who shared her story with courage and trust, and made this work possible
Beyond the Cycle (Trailer)
This short film is a soundscape that captures the intensity of a cyclical pattern experienced during addiction where getting out feels impossible. But there is hope. Two women in our project worked with us in this film, powerfully depicting this feeling without the use of any words.
Not Yet Until it is (Trailer)
Capturing the thoughts of a woman through her journey of addiction and recovery, this film explores the complexities of lived experience, illustrating both the profound challenges of addiction and the resilience that supports recovery.
Finding Recovery with Milly (Trailer)
As I read through her interview transcript, I noticed something that stayed with me. She had mentioned her dog, Milly, 40 times. This led me to discuss with her the prospect of making her short film with Milly as the anchor. To my surprise, she said ‘You know, I walked out of the interview thinking I didn’t talk about Milly much and how important she has been in my journey’. So, here we are, presenting her story as seen through her furry companion who has been a constant source of companionship throughout her journey from trauma and addiction towards recovery.