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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.

Contact Information:

Dr Jennifer Boyd
None provided
jennifer.boyd1@stir.ac.uk


Prof Tessa Parkes
None provided
t.s.parkes@stir.ac.uk


Dr Hannah Carver
None provided
hannah.carver@stir.ac.uk


More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.

Study Location:

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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Assessing the impact of peer-led harm reduction on people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use: The SHARPS study
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Assessing the impact of peer-led harm reduction on people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use: The SHARPS study

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Mixed

Blackburn Liverpool Liverpool Saint Helens Warrington London Sheffield Sheffield Sunderland Coventry Reading Inverness Aberdeen London Coventry Reading Grimsby London

Medical Conditions

Improvement of mental health and quality of life in people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use.

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

30 Jul 2024 02 May 2025

Services are expected to have an equal opportunity to either implement the 12-month SHARPS intervention or provide the standard support available. Peer Navigators are anticipated to offer practical and emotional support to 25 clients for up to 12 months to facilitate positive changes in their lives and enhance their mental health and quality of life. A comparison of mental health and quality of life between services with Peer Navigators and those with standard support is expected to be conducted. Measurements of mental and physical health, quality of life, substance use, social support, and societal participation are planned at the study's onset, and again at 6, 12, and 15 months post-enrollment.

To gain insights into the intervention's practical implementation and wider contextual factors, a process evaluation is expected to be conducted. Interviews with participants who had Peer Navigators at the intervention's conclusion and three months thereafter, as well as Peer Navigators and select staff members, are planned. Additionally, a survey with staff/Peer Navigators and observations across all study services are expected to be undertaken. Individuals with lived experience are projected to have contributed to the creation of the SHARPS intervention and remain integral members of the study team. A UK-wide 'Experts by Experience' group is anticipated to guide the project.

To facilitate the dissemination and impact of findings, especially among stakeholders funding health and social care services, it is planned to widely share results through journal articles, conferences, social media platforms, a study website, blogs, and videos, and by organizing events in participating services.


Peer Navigators stationed in hostels and drop-in services operated by The Salvation Army and individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use issues from services in 20 cities and towns across England and Scotland

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


Current exclusion criteria as of 24/10/2024:1. Current participation in other alcohol and/or substance use intervention trials2. Inability to give clear informed consent due to serious mental illness or cognitive impairment or posing a safety risk to staff members/PN or individuals who are actively disclosing suicidal intent3. Non-English speaking (due to the intervention involving Peer Navigator relationship and they will not necessarily have languages other than English).

Previous exclusion criteria:1. Current participation in other alcohol and/or substance use intervention trials2. Inability to give clear informed consent due to serious mental illness or cognitive impairment or posing a safety risk to staff members/PN3. Non-English speaking (due to the intervention involving Peer Navigator relationship and they will not necessarily have languages other than English).


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • The Salvation Army Bramwell House
    Heaton Street
    Blackburn
    BB2 2EF
  • The Salvation Army, Ann Fowler House
    Fraser Street
    Liverpool
    L3 8JX
  • The Salvation Army, Darbyshire House
    380 Prescot Road
    Liverpool
    L13 3DA
  • The Salvation Army, Salisbury House
    1 Phoenix Brow
    Saint Helens
    WA9 1SA
  • The Salvation Army, James Lee House Lifehouse
    Brick Street
    Warrington
    WA1 2PD
  • The Salvation Army, No.10 Drop-in Centre
    10 Princes Street
    London
    W1B 2LH
  • The Salvation Army, Charter Row Centre
    126 Charter Row
    Sheffield
    S1 4HR
  • The Salvation Army, Lincoln Court Lifehouse
    47 Jenkin Road
    Sheffield
    S9 1AT
  • The Salvation Army, Swan Lodge Lifehouse
    High Street East
    Sunderland
    SR1 2AU
  • The Salvation Army Service
    8 Axholme Road
    Coventry
    CV2 5BA
  • The Salvation Army, Willow House
    Willow Street
    Reading
    RG1 6AB
  • The Salvation Army Service
    Inverness Resettlement, 31/33 Wells Street
    Inverness
    IV3 5JU
  • The Salvation Army Service
    North Scotland DHQ Deer Road
    Aberdeen
    AB24 2BL
  • The Salvation Army, Cambria House
    37 Hunter Street
    London
    WC1N 1BJ
  • The Salvation Army Service
    Harnell Lifehouse 44 Harnall Lane West
    Coventry
    CV1 4EZ
  • The Salvation Army, Shepton House
    South Street
    Reading
    RG1 4QT
  • The Salvation Army, Booth Lifehouse
    1-3 Eleanor Street
    Grimsby
    DN32 9DT
  • The Salvation Army, Founders House Lifehouse
    60 Old Montague St
    London
    E1 5NG

People taking part in the study in intervention settings will benefit from the support received from the Peer Navigator. Working with the Peer Navigator for up to 12 months may help them to improve their physical and mental health, housing status, access to services (such as GP, dentist, optician), awareness of services and awareness of health conditions and how to manage them. As a thank you for taking part, all participants (those in the intervention and control arms) will receive a £25 voucher each time they complete the set of measures (four times in total) and will also be provided with refreshments while completing measures. Those participating in qualitative interviews will also receive a £25 voucher.
Participants might be asked questions they find difficult to answer or distressing. If this happens, the researcher and/or Peer Navigator (or other members of staff in services) will provide information to help them access appropriate support. Participants do not have to answer any questions they do not wish to answer.

Dr Hannah Carver
None provided
hannah.carver@stir.ac.uk


Prof Tessa Parkes
None provided
t.s.parkes@stir.ac.uk


Dr Jennifer Boyd
None provided
jennifer.boyd1@stir.ac.uk



More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.


The study is sponsored by University of Stirling and funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN11094645
Last updated 28 January 2025

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