Not yet recruitingObservational

Cell-Soothe: developing a self-harm app for women in prison

Rates of self-harm in women's prisons are at their highest levels in twenty years, but there is little guidance on the best ways to offer support. The Cell-Soothe project aims to create a new computer app that women can use privately in their cells on laptops to help manage distressing thoughts. Researchers from the University of Manchester and the NHS want to talk to prison healthcare workers, digital experts, and women in prison who have self-harmed in the past six months. By listening to their ideas and lived experiences, the team hopes to build a digital tool that truly meets women's needs. Taking part involves a short interview or group workshop to share thoughts on what the app should include and how it should work.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jan 2027

Estimated completion

30 Nov 2027

Self-Harm

What is this study about?

Self-harm is a painful and complex challenge, and incident rates in women's prisons across England and Wales are currently higher than they have been in many years. Women often spend long periods alone in their cells, which can be the hardest time to cope with overwhelming thoughts. Right now, there are very few proven digital tools designed specifically to help women through these difficult moments in prison.

This study, called Cell-Soothe, is working to change that. Researchers want to develop an easy-to-use software app that can be installed on laptops inside prison cells. The goal is to give women practical, soothing strategies they can turn to when they feel like hurting themselves. Because people have different needs and reading abilities, the app must be carefully designed so that it is simple, gentle, and accessible to everyone who needs it.

To make sure the app actually works in real life, the research team is not guessing what helps—they are asking the people who know best. By listening to women who have lived through self-harm in prison, alongside the staff who care for them, the researchers hope to build a supportive tool that can help save lives and improve mental well-being in prison communities.

Key takeaways

Cell-Soothe is a study to help design an in-cell computer app that supports women who self-harm in prison.
The project seeks input from women in prison who have self-harmed recently, as well as prison and healthcare staff.
Taking part involves a single, one-off interview or workshop lasting around 60 to 90 minutes.
No new medications are tested, and there is no direct personal treatment involved.
Your participation is completely confidential, voluntary, and will not affect your daily care or legal status.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to two main groups of people aged 18 and older. First, it welcomes women currently in prison (whether on remand or sentenced) who have personally experienced self-harm while in prison during the last six months. Second, it is open to prison staff, healthcare workers, and digital decision-makers who have professional experience working in these settings.

Women in prison cannot take part if they are currently feeling too unwell or distressed to talk safely, or if they cannot take part in an interview spoken in English. Taking part is also not possible if there are safety risks that prevent a one-to-one interview from being held safely, or if someone is unable to give their own informed consent.

For professionals, taking part requires having the right experience for the specific phase of the project. Those joining the group workshops will also need to agree to being audio or video recorded.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am aged 18 or older.
I am currently in prison (on remand or sentenced) AND have self-harmed while in prison in the last 6 months, OR I am a prison/healthcare professional.
I can comfortably understand and speak English for an interview.
I feel emotionally well enough right now to talk safely about self-harm support.
I am willing and able to give my own informed consent to join a recorded chat.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in this study is simple and does not involve testing any new medicines or trying out an unfinished app just yet. If you take part, you will first read through an information sheet and sign a consent form. Depending on your role, you will then join either an individual interview or a group workshop with a friendly researcher.

One-to-one interviews take about an hour and can happen face-to-face inside the prison or online using Microsoft Teams. Group workshops for experts take up to 90 minutes. During these chats, you will be asked about what kind of content would be most helpful in a self-harm app and what practical barriers might get in the way. With your permission, the chat will be recorded so the researchers do not miss any good ideas. The project runs from October 2026 to November 2027, but your personal participation is just for that single session.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this project will not offer any direct personal or medical benefits. However, sharing your views will help design a helpful tool that could support many other women in prison in the future. Because the study talks about self-harm, there is a risk that answering some questions might feel upsetting or bring up difficult memories. You do not have to answer any question that makes you uncomfortable. You are free to take a break or stop the interview at any time, and you can withdraw from the study completely without giving a reason and without it affecting your care, custody, or job.

Locations (4)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Manchester, England
Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Stafford, England
Practice Plus Group Health in Justice
City only
Reading, England
Spectrum Community Health Hq
City only
Wakefield, England

Common questions

Will taking part in this study affect my sentence or prison record?

No. Taking part is entirely voluntary. Your decision will have no effect on your sentence, parole, privileges, or how prison staff treat you.

Do I have to try out a new app during the interview?

No. At this stage, researchers are just gathering ideas and opinions on how the app should be designed, so you do not have to test any software.

What happens if I start to feel upset during the interview?

You can take a break or stop the interview at any point. The research team will make sure you have access to support if you feel distressed.

Will other people know what I said during my interview?

No. Everything you share is kept confidential and private, unless you tell the team something that suggests you or someone else is at immediate risk of serious harm.

Can I leave the study after I have agreed to join?

Yes. You have the right to change your mind and pull out of the study at any time without giving a reason.

How to find out more

Kerry Gutridge

kerry.gutridge@manchester.ac.uk +44 7756233811 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.