Women spoke up about alcohol support – here's what's changing in North Yorkshire

"I didn't think my drinking was a problem because everyone around me drank the same."

That was one of the many honest experiences women shared with us during our Behind the glass: Midlife women, alcohol and support in North Yorkshire project.

In total, 293 women told us about why they drink, the barriers to getting support, and what they believe needs to change.

We listened to what women told us, shared their experiences with the organisations that plan and provide services, and made recommendations for change.

Since publishing the report, organisations across North Yorkshire have started using what women told us to help shape future work.

Turning women's experiences into action

One of the most significant developments so far has been the creation of a shared action plan framework.

It helps each organisation see what it can do, who's responsible and how progress will be measured.

We're working with the organisations that plan, fund and provide health and care services to turn what women told us into practical improvements. That includes GP practices, hospitals, public health teams at North Yorkshire Council, alcohol support services, community organisations and NHS leaders.

The framework is based around the four priorities women identified through our research:

• helping women recognise alcohol-related harm earlier
• addressing the reasons why women drink
• improving awareness of alcohol's health impacts
• making it easier to access support.

Each organisation will be able to record the actions it plans to take, who is responsible and when they aim to deliver them. This will help us monitor progress and continue sharing updates about the difference women's experiences are making.

Helping shape NHS and council discussions

We've shared what women told us with the people who plan, fund and provide health and care services across the county.

The report has already been presented to North Yorkshire Council's Scrutiny of Health Committee. Following the presentation, the committee agreed to write to the Director of Public Health to ask how the report's recommendations will be taken forward.

The findings have also been shared with the North Yorkshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team so they can use those experiences to improve care and support.

Helping inform a regional strategy to reduce alcohol harm

Women's experiences are also helping inform the Humber and North Yorkshire Three Biggest Killers Strategy. This regional plan aims to reduce the harm caused by alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy food. It sets out practical actions that health organisations, councils and other partners can take to improve people's health and reduce health inequalities across the region.

We've been told the report will help organisations improve conversations about alcohol, offer better brief advice and make support easier to access.

These priorities closely reflect what women told us through our research, helping ensure their experiences contribute to future improvements in alcohol support across Humber and North Yorkshire.

Improving conversations in healthcare

Many women told us they wanted healthcare professionals to have open, supportive conversations about alcohol without judgement.

GP leaders are now looking at how practices can have better conversations with women about alcohol and offer support earlier.

Hospital leaders will also look at what women told us and agree what action they can take. York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Patient Experience Subcommittee will review the report and agree actions in response to the experiences women shared.

Thank you

Thank you to every woman who trusted us with her story.

Talking about alcohol isn't always easy, but by sharing your experiences you've helped make sure the people planning and providing services understand what needs to change.

Your experiences haven't just been heard - they're already helping shape what happens next. We'll keep working with organisations, tracking progress and sharing updates as more changes happen.