Stigma towards people who use alcohol and other drugs remains a significant barrier to accessing care, treatment and support. Reducing stigma within professional environments is an important step in improving experiences and outcomes for individuals and communities.
The National Challenging Stigma Pilot Programme (NCSPP) is a two‑year initiative led by Liverpool John Moores University, working with academic partners across the UK. The programme supports local areas to address professional stigma, particularly in (former) Project ADDER areas including Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral, Hastings and Tower Hamlets.
As part of this work, organisations are invited to take part in an evidence‑based online training package designed to help professionals better understand and reduce stigma in day‑to‑day practice.
The Reducing Professional Stigma training is a 30‑minute interactive online session developed through research with professionals and people with lived experience of substance use. It is suitable for staff working across health, social care, criminal justice, and community services, and no prior knowledge of substance use or stigma is required.
The training is designed to be accessible, reflective and practical, supporting professionals to recognise stigma and its impacts and to apply inclusive, respectful approaches within their roles.
The training covers:
By completing the training, professionals are supported to:
At an organisational level, participation supports wider cultural change and contributes to more inclusive and compassionate services.
The training includes a Professional Stigma Indicator, a reflective tool that helps assess attitudes and practices across teams and settings. The indicator:
A follow‑up survey three months after completion helps evaluate changes over time and the effectiveness of the training.
Organisations wishing to take part in the NCSPP research project should ensure participating staff complete the training by 31 May 2026.
The training is hosted on the AntiStigma Network website and can be accessed via: https://training.antistigmanetwork.org.uk
As this is part of a research programme, login details should not be shared with other organisations without agreement from the research team.
A SCORM package is available for organisations who wish to integrate the training into their own Learning Management Systems. Guidance on technical requirements, including video hosting options, is available from the research team.
The training will remain available until 31 May 2026. Data collection and evaluation will continue through 2026, with final reports expected in December 2026. Following the conclusion of the pilot programme, training materials will be managed externally and made freely available to participating organisations.
For further information, implementation support, or to discuss participation, organisations can contact:
Chris Barnes
Lead Researcher, National Challenging Stigma Pilot Programme
Liverpool John Moores University
[email protected]
