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2008 - Young People's

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Adolescents Anonymous, Kirklees Children and Young People Service

Adolescents Anonymous is an innovative three part DVD and comprehensive education resource pack developed by Kirklees professionals in collaboration with teachers and young people. It is used in all Kirklees High schools by students aged 11-14.

The film and activities reassure young people that they should not have to remain silent or anonymous about the effects of alcohol upon them or people close to them.

The resource and activities stimulate discussion and challenge attitudes concerning alcohol use. Issues explored included parental drinking, peer pressure, cultural influences, anti-social behaviour and problem drinking. By helping young people make informed and safer choices about alcohol it is hoped the resource will play a part in deterring dependent and problematic drinking in later adulthood.

ADOLESCENTS ANONYMOUS

Part 1
'A single tear' YEAR 7 (11-12 year olds)

This film shows Gemma's life at home and the impact that her parents drinking has upon her. She is supported by her new friend Joe to find help at school.

The activities encourage learning about the powerful nature of alcohol.

Part 2
'Truth, Dare, Kiss, Promise' YEAR 8 (12-13 year olds)

The film shows Omar as a young teenager being drawn into an unfamiliar world of drinking alcohol, dares and anti social behaviour.

The activities help young people resist the pressure to drink (too much) alcohol.

Part 3
‘The bottle spins' YEAR 9 (13-14 year olds)

The film shows Joe as an older teenager and explores how his increasingly dependent alcohol use is beginning to cause problems with his life.

The activities encourage young people to make responsible choices about alcohol.

Website

www. adolescentsanonymous .com

Top Tips from Adolescents Anonymous

Be clear about what you want to achieve and what is possible (not always the same thing!). Identify two or three key objectives. One project cannot change the world on its own.
Involve young people from the start. We used them to shortlist and interview the film companies, comment/draft the script, review first ‘cuts' of filming and suggest and trial educational activities.
Consider who will use the resource (the clients in our case were teachers and other professionals working with young people) and their needs and priorities. We produced a resource that was comprehensive, easy to use and had a range of different types of activity.
Allow sufficient time for the project. It might take longer than you think!. We needed to redraft scripts, re-shoot scenes, talk with people/groups with differing perspectives and trial activities.
The activities need to be engaging and challenging. We encouraged young people to become involved by taking account of how they wanted to learn about alcohol.
Have a spectacular launch and let everyone know what you have achieved. Invite the local press, leaders of relevant services and your intended clients.

[read the story] | [watch the videos]

Images from Adolescents Anonymous

Watch the Videos

Outlining the Project

What winning a CHAMP Award means to us

[read the story] | [top tips]

“It has given me more confidence to realise that what we are doing is special. When we were short-listed I thought it was a wind up. I was very, very overwhelmed – this has given us all a lot of confidence”

Winner – 2008