News Release

Finalists announced in youth alcohol awards, 2010

Mentor UK is proud to announce the twelve finalists in the Mentor UK CHAMP Awards (Promoting Children's Health through Alcohol Misuse Prevention).

Andrew Brown, Director of Programmes at Mentor UK and Chair of the Judging Panel, said:

Almost 150 young people turn up in A&E every day of the year as a result of alcohol.

It is therefore no wonder that young people's drinking is a real concern to parents and society.  We believe that prevention is better than cure and that's why the projects we've shortlisted for these awards are vitally important.  They show that it is possible to make a real difference in young lives.

We were delighted with the quality of the applications, which was higher than ever, proving that schools, community organisations and young people from across Great Britain are looking to make a positive difference in preventing alcohol misuse. 

•  A peer support project led by a young person whose previous problems around alcohol included expulsion from school;

•  Dramas designed and filmed by young people exploring the physical and emotional implications of alcohol misuse; and

•  A ground breaking service for people from BME communities around alcohol issues which are otherwise seen as taboo in the community.

The Mentor UK CHAMP Awards are held every two years and are supported by drinks producer, Diageo Great Britain, as part of their commitment to educating young people on the dangers of alcohol misuse –both now and in the future.

For further information please visit www.champawards.org.uk

The Shortlist:

Communities (4 shortlisted finalists)

Project Taboo, Youth Action, Blackburn and Darwen

This is a new project working with young people to promote alcohol misuse awareness to their peers in Blackburn and Darwen.  The project aims to:

• Promote awareness of alcohol misuse in young people from BME communities

• Support young people suffering directly or indirectly from alcohol related issues

• Provide a safe, discreet service for people from BME communities around issues which are otherwise seen as taboo in the community

Sub 21, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear

The principal objective of the SUB21 project is to reduce underage street drinking in the Wallsend locality among 13-16 year old boys and girls by providing structured out of hours youth activities, developed in conjunction with young people, and supporting retailers to refuse underage and proxy sales of alcohol.

Changing Tracks, Shrewsbury

This is an alcohol awareness project that uses music as a tool to engage vulnerable young people regarding the risks of alcohol misuse. The aim of the project is to deliver alcohol awareness information and safer drinking messages to hard to reach, at risk, young people in both urban and rural areas.

Offbeat, Craigshill, West Lothian

The purpose of the project is to operate an innovative youth diversionary project each Friday afternoon. The arts combined with youth work practice are used to engage with disadvantaged young people to address the issues of alcohol use and its associated effects such as risk taking behaviour.  Offbeat aims to:

• Increase awareness of alcohol issues and associated risks

• Increase young people engaged in art/cultural activities in the area

• Engage young people in having an active voice in the community

•  Support young people in making positive life choices

Schools (4 shortlisted finalists)

Derby City ‘Bottle It’ Peer Alcohol Education Project, Derby

This is a multifaceted alcohol education programme delivered by Year 10 pupils to Year 8 peers.  Year 10 pupils, including those identified as vulnerable and at risk, are recruited to develop and deliver four lessons.  These focus on developing knowledge and understanding of short and long term risks associated with alcohol, harm minimisation messages and personal safety. They also aim to develop skills such as assertiveness and decision making, managing peer pressure, understanding links with sexual health/antisocial behaviour and activities to challenge young people’s attitudes and behaviour towards alcohol.

We’re not all the same, Denny

This is the first project in Scotland to implement a social norms approach to alcohol: because people tend to conform to group norms if pupils believe most of their peer group drink alcohol then they can feel under pressure to drink to fit in.  The project aims to change the culture around alcohol and young people by developing strategies to prevent high risk drinking that focus on changing young people’s perceptions of the typical drinking behaviour of their peers.

Smashed, National Touring Theatre Company

This is a theatre in education tour on alcohol misuse prevention for Year 7 & 8 students.   Designed by young people and teachers it aims to challenge attitudes to alcohol, empowering young people to make informed decisions about alcohol consumption in the future. It includes a performance, workshop, multi-media teaching resource, evaluation and has visited a minimum of 75 schools every year for the last 5 years.

ALCOPOPS, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire

This is a six week alcohol and drug awareness course for secondary schools. It educates young people about effects of substances, laws relating to them, consequences of involvement in substance related crime/anti-social behaviour and personal safety.  On completion of the programme the young people take part in a team building trip.  Running in parallel is a parenting group for parents/carers.

Young People’s Involvement (4 shortlisted finalists)

Just for a Laugh!, County Durham

This project uses an exciting young person-centred approach to alcohol in a socio-cultural context.  Through a range of innovative activities, young people research alcohol and apply that knowledge to scenarios they have designed.  They realise this work in dramas which are filmed and used as resources with other groups and community events.

The Amazing Doctor Sober, Greater Manchester

Dr Sober was made by young people for young people and consists of a DVD, CD-ROM and activities booklet exploring physical and emotional issues around alcohol misuse for young people aged 10-14.

Core Spirits, Strathmore Centre for Youth Development, Blairgowrie

This is a young persons’ peer support alcohol group, run by young people for young people. This project was originally set-up by Kimby Tosh after she had problems with alcohol, was expelled from school and in trouble with the police.  With help from SCYD she decided to set up a group to help other young people overcome their problems through peer support.

On the Wagon – Off the Flagon, Merthyr Tydfil

Merthyr Tydfil has a notorious reputation and is an area of social deprivation.  Research has shown that many young people in the local community report feeling alienated from the adults who teach them about issues such as alcohol misuse.  By using creative media to display their own learning, the young people are able to create their own alcohol-awareness tools to engage and educate their peers.

  -ends-

For further information contact Derek Ferguson or Andrew Brown by telephone on 020 7739 8494 or by email at derek.ferguson@mentoruk.org

Notes to editors

1. Spokespeople are available for interview.  Case studies and photographs are also available.  Please contact the numbers above.
2. The Mentor UK CHAMP Awards is supported by Diageo GB
3. The winners will be announced later this year.  Media will be welcome to attend.  Please contact the numbers above.
4. Mentor UK is a registered UK charity (no:1112339) and company limited by guarantee (no:5609241) that works in conjunction with its partners in the International Mentor family. Our mission is identical: to focus on the prevention of drug misuse in our efforts to promote the health and wellbeing of children and young people and to reduce damage to their lives.  Mentor aims to support the effective use of human, financial and intellectual resources to achieve its goals.  www.mentorfoundation.org/uk
5. Diageo Great Britain is the sales and marketing division of Diageo in Great Britain. Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business, owning such brands as SMIRNOFF®, GUINNESS®, GORDON‟S ®, BELL‟S ® and BAILEYS®. Diageo believes it has an important role to play in reminding consumers about making intelligent decisions when drinking alcohol. Diageo Great Britain is a member of The Portman Group, promoting responsible drinking. Visit www.drinkaware.co.uk for information and guidance on responsible drinking.

News Release:

Mentor UK Launches CHAMP Awards, 13^th January 2010

With 3 x £20,000 Prizes to Prevent Young People Misusing Alcohol

Nominations are now open for the Mentor UK CHAMP Awards (Promoting Children’s Health through Alcohol Misuse Prevention), 2010.  Founded in 2006, this prestigious biennial awards scheme offers up to £60,000 worth of prize money and support to schemes from across Great Britain which help prevent  young people of 14 or under from misusing alcohol. 

Launching the 2010 CHAMP Awards, Mentor UK Chief Executive, Paul Tuohy says:

“With twenty million units per week drunk by 11-17 year olds and with 500,000 young people drunk in the last month, we at Mentor UK believe promoting healthy attitudes and behaviours with young people as early as possible is vital and can prevent many lives being wrecked.”

Mentor’s experience shows that there are alcohol misuse prevention projects out there doing excellent work with youngsters but that they often feel isolated and struggle to survive financially.  The CHAMP Awards helps the best of these initiatives– not only by offering cash prizes but by providing resources, advice and a place to share ideas on the new CHAMP website.

Youth Alive in Dumfries was one of the winners of a CHAMP Award in 2008 and their work comes as an urgent response to the problems of children and young people misusing alcohol and binge drinking within the community.

“Dumfries has a problem with young people abusing alcohol.  We work to change attitudes by educating young people about the dangers of alcohol and to offer a positive alternative to young people in the area.

Winning the Award has kept the agency going.  It has enabled us to carry on delivering services and we are delivering to so many more young people.”

Other winners of the CHAMP Award said:

“It has been fantastic…It was just the most amazing experience.  Because of the success and national recognition we have got extra funding …..People are now listening, it has opened new doors and means we can work with even more children and young people”

The Mentor UK CHAMP Awards are supported by drinks producer, Diageo Great Britain, as part of their commitment to educating young people on the dangers of alcohol misuse – both now and in the future.

Mark Baird, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Diageo Great Britain adds:

“We are delighted to be associated with the CHAMP Awards again this year.  We see it as a great way to highlight and recognise some of the fantastic work that goes on around the UK in tackling the issues surrounding teenage alcohol misuse and also believe that the new CHAMP website is a superb addition to the whole awards process and a valuable platform to share good practice”

Anyone can nominate a scheme for the Mentor UK CHAMP Awards: the public, professionals or young people.

The deadline for applications is April 21^st 2010.

Winners will be announced in November at a ceremony in London, from a shortlist, chosen by a panel of experts in May.

Uniquely for an awards scheme, the final selection of winners will be made by panels of young people under 14.

Ends

·         Further information on the CHAMP Awards, including an application form, guidance notes, winners’ tips, winners’ video clips and resources for parents, children and teachers can be found at

www.champawards.org.uk

·         CHAMP Awards in 2010 will be made in three categories:

for work in Schools

for work in Communities

for projects led by Young People

·         2008 Awards were made to the following:

Schools category

Adolescents Anonymous, Kirklees

This project, designed and scripted by young people, explores the effects of alcohol misuse on three young people at different stages of their lives.  The DVD, along with a comprehensive information pack with lesson plans, is shown to 11-14 year olds across Kirklees to promote sensible drinking.

Communities category

P.A.R.T.Y, Youth Alive, Dumfries

This is a twelve week programme where young people are educated in a fun, participative style about the dangers of alcohol misuse and offered positive alternatives to drinking.  With binge drinking among young people in Dumfries a serious issue, one of the most rewarding groups was a group of young men from a local school, some with a history of alcohol misuse who completed the course and received the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award as a result.  This group of young people, although gifted in many ways were not achieving at school in traditional ways but really engaged well with this project.

Young People’s Involvement category

LookOut Alcohol, Lancashire

This website (www.lookoutalcohol.co.uk) has been designed by young people for young people. From the idea of a website with a games concept to the design of the characters to the topics covered, primary school children were involved in all aspects of production. It is an interactive site that incorporates age appropriate alcohol education, downloadable lesson plans for teachers, homework based activities and information section for parents and carers.

·         Representatives from Mentor UK and Diageo GB and from the 2006 and 2008 winning projects (including young people) are available for interview on request.

·         Facts and figures on drug and alcohol use and young people, photographs of the 2008 winning entries and information on the 2008 winning entries are also available on request or at www.champawards.org.uk

·         Mentor UK is a registered UK charity (no:1112339) and company limited by guarantee (no:5609241) that works in conjunction with its partners in the International Mentor family. Our mission is identical: to focus on the prevention of drug misuse in our efforts to promote the health and wellbeing of children and young people and to reduce damage to their lives.  Mentor aims to support the effective use of human, financial and intellectual resources to achieve its goals.  www.mentorfoundation.org/uk

·         Diageo Great Britain is the sales and marketing division of Diageo in Great

Britain. Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business, owning such brands as SMIRNOFF®, GUINNESS®, GORDON‟S ®, BELL‟S ® and

BAILEYS®. Diageo believes it has an important role to play in reminding

consumers about making intelligent decisions when drinking alcohol. Diageo Great Britain is a member of The Portman Group, promoting responsible drinking. Visit www.drinkaware.co.uk for information and guidance on responsible drinking

Three projects tackling youth alcohol abuse win the top prizes at the Mentor UK CHAMP Awards, 2008

LookOut Alcohol, Lancashire

Mentor UK , the leading alcohol and drug misuse prevention charity, is delighted to announce that the LookOut Alcohol project based in Preston, has won the Young Person's Involvement category of the prestigious Mentor UK CHAMP Awards (Promoting C hildren's H ealth through A lcohol M isuse P revention).

Winners announced for Awards tackling youth alcohol misuse

The winners of this year's prestigious Mentor UK CHAMP Awards were announced at a special ceremony at the Royal Institution of Great Britain on the 13 th November, 2008.

Panels of children and young people from across Great Britain selected the three winners of the awards. Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere presented the winners with cheques for £10,000 in front of an audience of 300 guests including many youngsters, Government Ministers and MPs from all parties.

Speakers included Baroness Susan Greenfield, Director of the Royal Institution and Patron of Mentor UK and Sarah McCarthy-Fry, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools and Learners.

2006 AWARD WINNERS

Hook Primary School Pembrokeshire, Wales

Winner of the ‘Young People ' s Involvement Category', received £10,000 prize and £10,000 worth of mentoring/practical consultancy support. Pupils in a Pembrokeshire school realised they had to act when their sports day was nearly cancelled due to broken bottles on the playing fields.