Informed by evidence and practice.
We recognise that knowledge, risks and best practice continue to evolve. Our approach is therefore one of ongoing learning and review, using current evidence and developments in practice to help keep our information relevant, practical and responsible.
This means turning complex information into accessible tools that can be used in everyday life — helping people better understand risk, consider their options and make more informed choices.
Why My Private Progress
My Private Progress grew from years of professional experience that highlighted the importance of access to information, recognising risks and having opportunities to understand personal circumstances earlier, before difficulties arise.
With an increasing unpredictable drug supply and emergence of new substances, access to harm reduction information, awareness of risks and planning ahead can play an important role in preventing avoidable harm.
My Private Progress was created to make practical, structured resources more accessible, giving people a private way to understand their circumstances, recognise patterns and explore their options.
Grounded in harm reduction, My Private Progress aims to empower people through information, awareness and practical tools- supporting safer choices, ongoing monitoring and personal autonomy, without judgement or expectations about what someone should change.
Our guiding principles
At My Private Progress, respect, safety and autonomy shape everything we create. These principles reflect our harm reduction approach — meeting people where they are, without judgement, supporting safer choices and respecting each person's right to decide what progress looks like for them.
Respect
Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and without judgement or stigma. We respect individual circumstances, choices and goals.
Safety
We support practical, realistic ways to recognise risk, reduce harm and make safer choices in everyday situations.
Autonomy
Respecting each person's right to make informed choices and decide what progress looks like for them.
What is harm reduction?
Harm reduction is a practical, evidence-informed approach that aims to prevent and reduce the health and social harms associated with alcohol and substance use, improve health outcomes and promote safety and wellbeing.
It recognises people have different circumstances, needs and goals. Harm reduction focuses on providing information, practical measures and support that reduce risk, respect personal autonomy and improve safety, without judgement or requiring abstinence.
Even small steps towards greater safety and wellbeing can make a difference.
The experience behind My Private Progress
My Private Progress was founded by a Registered Mental Health Nurse with more than 20 years of experience working in substance use services, with specialist expertise in harm reduction.
This experience spans supporting people to make positive lifestyle changes through to working with complex and potentially life-threatening substance-related harms.
Specialist practice has included safer injecting practices and behaviours, reducing the risk of overdose and serious infection, preventing tissue damage and other potentially limb-threatening complications, and working with people to improve their health while continuing to respect their individual choices and goals.
This work has reinforced an important principle: meaningful harm reduction can happen at any stage. Someone does not have to stop using substances before steps can be taken to reduce risk, protect health and improve outcomes.
Professional experience is supported by qualifications in Addiction, Tissue Viability and Leadership and Management in Healthcare, alongside extensive training and education experience as a Master Overdose and Naloxone Trainer.
Working across both recovery-orientated and specialist harm reduction practice has provided a unique perspective — seeing both the positive changes people can make and the serious consequences that can develop when risks increase or opportunities to act earlier are missed.
It is this experience that helped shape My Private Progress: bringing practical harm reduction, greater awareness and earlier opportunities for safer choices into a private, self-directed format.
My Check-In
My Safer Choices
My Living Tools
Choose the support that fits where you are now — whether you want to check in and recognise patterns, make safer and more informed choices, or use practical strategies to make and maintain change.
Downloadable. Editable. Reusable. Designed to work at your pace.