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.