What We Learned from Our Women’s Focus Group with WHAG

When we sat down with a group of South Asian women during our recent focus group held in partnership with WHAG, what emerged was far more than feedback. It was a window into the private struggles, pressures, and silent resilience that many women carry when addiction touches their lives. The conversation was honest, at times emotional, and deeply revealing. It reminded us why this work matters — and why culturally sensitive support isn’t optional, it’s essential.

One of the strongest messages that came through was just how hidden women’s addiction is within the community. Not because it doesn’t exist, but because the consequences of being “found out” feel too severe. Women spoke about fear of judgement, shame, gossip, and damaging their family’s reputation. Many described living with problems in silence — either their own or those of a loved one — because they felt there was no safe place to turn. This taught us that support must start with privacy, trust, and discretion. If the first step feels unsafe, many women will never take it.

Another theme that echoed across the room was the emotional burden women carry when someone they love is struggling with substances. Several described playing the role of protector, peace-keeper, and stabiliser while managing the home and shielding the rest of the family from the fallout. It was clear that addiction doesn’t only impact the individual using substances; it shapes the lives of the people around them too. Women shared how exhausting it is to carry this responsibility alone, often without acknowledgement or support. This reinforced for us the absolute importance of offering help not just to the individual, but to the families holding everything together behind the scenes.

The focus group also revealed a major gap around understanding modern drug trends. Many women felt uncertain about what their children may be exposed to — online supply routes, social media risks, grooming, and county lines exploitation. They said that the information available to them is either too clinical, too complicated, or simply not aimed at communities like theirs. What they want is straightforward education delivered with respect, without judgement or jargon. This highlighted how crucial community-based awareness sessions are, especially those designed specifically for mothers and caregivers.

One thing became very clear: mixed-gender spaces are not comfortable for many South Asian women. Several participants said they would never open up in front of men or attend a mixed support group because it simply wouldn’t feel safe. For some, cultural expectations played a role. For others, it was about wanting to speak openly without fear or embarrassment. Women-only environments, led by people who understand their cultural background, were repeatedly described as essential. This shaped our understanding of how we must deliver future services.

Language also came up as a real barrier. While many women spoke English confidently, others said they would struggle to explain sensitive issues in anything other than their mother tongue. They emphasised how different it feels when someone understands your language, your expressions, and your cultural references. This told us that bilingual support isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity for meaningful engagement.

Many women also expressed a strong preference for one-to-one, discreet support rather than public programmes. They said they would be far more likely to use a confidential helpline, a WhatsApp check-in, or a private counselling session than a formal group setting. This reminded us that the pathway into support must be gentle, private, and built around trust rather than expectations.

Perhaps the most powerful part of the discussion was the role of lived experience. Women were visibly moved when they heard real stories, not statistics. They connected with people who had walked the same path and understood the pressure points that are unique to their culture. It reaffirmed something we already knew but saw even more clearly that day: lived experience is often more impactful than clinical expertise when it comes to building trust and breaking stigma.

Finally, the conversation highlighted a deeper issue — a lack of trust in mainstream services. Many women said they rarely see services present in their community, and therefore don’t feel those services are for them. Trust cannot be assumed; it must be built slowly, through consistent visibility, respectful communication, and genuine partnership.

Our session with WHAG didn’t give us a checklist; it gave us direction. It taught us that women are willing to speak, to learn, and to seek support — but only if we create the right environment. Moving forward, these insights will shape our work as we develop culturally informed, bilingual, women-led spaces where safety, confidentiality, and understanding come first.

This focus group wasn’t the end of a conversation — it was the beginning of one. And we are committed to listening, learning, and building support that truly reflects the realities women shared with us.

Download the findings here.