Young people in Herefordshire are being warned of the dangers of alcohol consumption through an exciting new project being delivered in the county’s colleges.
NHS Herefordshire, the leader for health in the county, has successfully bid for £12,000 to pilot a new innovative programme which will help young people understand all the risks involved with alcohol consumption. The primary care trust is working in partnership with 2XL, a voluntary-run group that uses the creative arts to raise awareness and stimulate discussion on a wide range of issues affecting young people.
Aimed at colleges and sixth forms, 2XL is developing an exciting, vibrant, dramatic performance called Blind Delusion which will take their student audience on a journey challenging perceptions and myths so that they have a clear understanding of the risks involved with alcohol. Safe and sensible drinking is the key message. The project is a pilot project and will consist of ten performances being delivered around Herefordshire’s colleges between March and April this year (2010). Each performance is followed by an interactive workshop where students can ask questions, exchange information and, if they wish, talk to health professionals.
“It’s about presenting issues in a social context,” said Sue Carter from 2XL. She continued, “We have put the performance together after detailed discussion with a group of young people who we work with on a regular basis, so we can make sure the issues addressed are from a young person’s perspective.
Roger Hanson, NHS Herefordshire, said: “The anti-social effects of binge drinking are well documented with national hospital admissions at an all time high, but we also want students to be aware of the other effects of alcohol misuse such as links to cancers, heart attacks and strokes. There is also a whole range of issues around control and responsibility, which has an impact on sexual health and relationships.
“Drinking sensibly isn’t a problem, but many don’t understand what the NHS recommended limits are, and that the impact of abusing these limits goes beyond liver damage. Using drama is a great way of getting messages across to students in an accessible way and encouraging them to consider changes in their own behaviours.”
NHS Herefordshire hopes to develop the programme further and bids are in for additional funding to facilitate this.