The WiSE women of Windsor

The women behind WiSE in Windsor and Maidenhead understand their work on a personal level. Maisie and Mia both grew up in families affected by harmful alcohol use, and these experiences shape the support they provide for women today.

Meet Maisie

Maisie joined Cranstoun as a trainee case worker, supporting people with alcohol and drugs in the same building where her father had come for help when she was younger.

“My dad was a client here,” she explained, “so being able to give back fills me with joy. Sometimes a client’s situation reminds me of what things were like at home and puts things into perspective.”

Through her work, Maisie has gained a deeper understanding of how alcohol dependency affects the people she supports – and the impact it can have on families. “It’s opened my eyes to the fact that it’s not simple,” she admitted. “I wouldn’t have a job if it was.”

Maisie’s true passion is equal access for women, so she was the natural choice to lead the WiSE Project in Windsor and Maidenhead.

As we catch up in April 2026, Maisie is 34 weeks pregnant with her first child. It’s another opportunity to build empathy with the people she supports. “Women experience barriers coming into support. Now that I’m pregnant, I understand why someone might not come into a drug and alcohol service if it could mean contact with social services.”

Meet Mia

While Maisie is on maternity leave, Mia will take the lead on WiSE in Windsor and Maidenhead, and it’s a project close to her heart.

Mia started her working life as a professional hairdresser, where conversations in her salon chair showed how difficult it was for women to find support. “People disclosed domestic abuse and substance use, and we couldn’t do anything about it,” she reflected. “I was always interested in what help was actually out there.”

The answer came after her father relapsed. “Both my parents use substances, and last year my dad went into rehab after a binge. He had been abstinent for seven years before that.”

Mia accompanied her father to rehab – and found her calling. “I thought, ‘How do you get to work somewhere like this?’, and then Cranstoun’s job advert came up the same day. I didn’t even know this service was here. I applied, and handed in my notice straight after my interview.”

Eight months on, Mia is a trainee key worker with specialist training in safer injecting and domestic abuse support. The responsibility and training came as a surprise. “I thought I’d be making teas and coffees, or opening the door,” she joked, “but Cranstoun has given me so much responsibility, and I am so grateful.”

“Ready and waiting”

Looking ahead, both Mia and Maisie are clear about what matters most for WiSE. As Mia gets ready to take the project forward in Windsor and Maidenhead, her focus is on making sure women know support is there.

“I think more community presence is important,” she says. “I didn’t know this service was here, and I don’t think many people do. Now I can tell friends, family and clients there are services that can advocate for them.”

Maisie agrees that services like WiSE need to be visible and supported by the wider community. “It is easy to say, ‘That would never be me,’ and then find yourself, a partner or a family member in an addiction,” she says. “It is better that we are here ready and waiting than not here at all.”

As she prepares to step away, Maisie reflects on what she will miss most about leading WiSE.

“I love working with the women first and foremost,” she says, “but I also enjoy being part of wider change. I meet professionals from different agencies who think WiSE is an amazing service to offer.”

“Providing support for women has been amazing.”