An innovative new drama project, run by the Council, Avon & Somerset Police and NHS B&NES, is highlighting the problems associated with excessive drinking to young people.
Drama students from Bath Spa University are visiting secondary schools across Bath and North East Somerset as part of the alcohol education workshop for year 9 pupils.
The interactive workshop is called ‘Reverse’ and depicts some of the negative events of a night out if people drink too much. The drama students act out different negative scenarios involving alcohol which are then replayed so that the characters’ fate is in the school pupils’ hands.
The pupils get involved with the scene and revisit the situations to discuss the changes that could have been made to avoid the risky behaviours shown.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “The precautionary tales in these sessions incorporate key harm-reduction messages which highlight the health impacts of alcohol and the potential consequences of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour. Bath & North East Somerset Council, in partnership with the NHS, Police and the Bath Spa University drama students, intends for these innovative alcohol awareness workshops to help the young people make informed decisions about alcohol in the future.”
Jodie Smith, Alcohol Harm Reduction Project Officer for the Council and NHS B&NES, added: “Although we do focus on the possible dangers of drinking too much, we also emphasise that the majority of young people in Bath and North East Somerset are not drinking and getting into trouble. Overall the workshop aims to strike a balance between being both thought-provoking and educational, as well as being entertaining.”
Bath Police Community Support Officer David Holmes obtained a £1,000 grant from the force’s proceeds of crime fund to finance the alcohol awareness drama sessions.
He said: “I’ve been going in to schools for years, trying to explain the risks of excessive drinking to young people. I’m sure they’ll pay much more attention to what the student actors are saying than to me, but as long as they get the message I’m more than happy.”
Last year thanks to the Proceeds of Crime Act, more than 30 community projects in Avon and Somerset shared £30,500 seized from criminals. It was used to raise awareness and prevent crime.
This is just one project, as part of a raft of wider initiatives working with many different agencies to reduce the alcohol related harm in Bath and North East Somerset. The feedback so far from schools has been very positive.
Martin Ward, Head of drama & Personal, Social and Health Education lead at Broadlands Academy, said: “The Bath Spa actors delivered a thought-provoking drama workshop to our students, highlighting the importance of alcohol education to make sure that young people have a good night out whilst at the same time understanding how to keep safe and healthy. Students at the academy contributed good ideas and participated enthusiastically in the role plays.”
The project has been delivered into five schools to date, with more sessions planned for the future. Any school interested in the free workshop should contact [email protected].
