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Young people urge others to be aware of
alcohol dangers.
Young people have been given the
opportunity to influence their peers about the dangers of drinking and
how to stay safe on a night out.
In a unique project, young people from Wigan Borough have been trained
as ‘peer educators’.
Their aim is to influence those around them on issues around alcohol and
safety.
In the Hindley and Shackerley areas, the aim was to help 10 young people
become peer educators.
They were trained up by Antony Simpson (Alcohol Outreach Worker) and
Stephen Boydell (Substance Misuse Worker) both from Wigan Council’s
Young People's Drug and Alcohol Team, and given the knowledge, skills
and confidence to speak to other young people about alcohol.
Antony Simpson said: “The idea was for the young people to try and
influence their peers.
“Through research we found that young people were more likely to relate
to other young people as opposed to workers, as they found them more
credible.”
After weeks of committed training, the peer educators delivered sessions
to groups of young people about the dangers of drinking and how to stay
safe.
The young people created the sessions themselves from scratch and
planned activities and discussions for the groups.
Not only did those involved gain confidence and the skills to lead and
influence groups, they also gained an AQA qualification for their
efforts.
Anthony said: “At first the young people involved thought we were going
to lecture them. We had to get across the point that we just wanted to
give them the information on how to stay safe and then it was up to them
how they put it across to other young people.
“After the first session they realised we were there to help and it
could be interesting so they all came back of their own accord.
“At the end of the sessions, when we asked the peer educators and other
young people what they had got out of it we found out that a lot of
people had changed their behaviour and attitude towards alcohol.
“On nights out they would have a designated sober person to look out for
the group, young people were planning in advance how to get home and
they had stopped bingeing and were thinking about staying safe more.”
The pilot scheme, which ran from January to September this year, was a
result of £12,500 funding from the Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care
Trust, and a further £2,500 funding from the Drinkaware Trust.
Wigan Council’s Youth Service and Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team
also put money forward for supplies and running costs.
ENDS.
Further information.
For more information contact Angela Kirk, Young People’s Press
Officer for the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust,
on 01942 828923 or e-mail
A.Kirk@wlct.org
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