Posted by Geraldine Pearce
on 8/9/2009, 3:58 pm
91.105.172.114
THE YOUNG POTENTIAL “ON THE BINGE” PROJECT is a three year initiative primarily funded by Comic Relief with additional funding from Bassetlaw Primary Care Trust.
The programme, aimed at 14 to 18 year olds, includes a series of high impact drama based workshops looking at chaotic alcohol abuse and young people. The workshops are designed to address the main fears and concerns of young people in Bassetlaw and create a safe place for them to explore their experiences and relationship to alcohol abuse, including within their family and their community, and then to help them deal with the effects and problems this creates in their lives and within their community.
Through the interactive workshops the young people are able to highlight and air their concerns. Each workshop is then followed up with individual one-to-one support for young people enabling them to address their concerns and find additional support where needed. This may include signposting to other health services, community support services such as Face It or family mediation etc.
The project utilises supporting materials from PCT to help young people understand the implications of alcohol abuse.
During the Workshops young people script write, produce and perform a DVD to demonstrate how and why young people abuse alcohol and what the consequences can be from their perspective.
This project structure is a tried and tested approach by Young Potential and is a highly effective way to engage young people and enable them to explore difficult and interrelated issues.
JOINING THE PROJECT
Young Potential adopts an ‘open access approach’ which enables young people to be referred by statutory agencies, families and carers. Young people are encouraged to seek help for themselves and enrol on the project. Local promotion of the project is therefore important and we do this through local networks, colleges, libraries, community centres, schools and statutory agencies. In addition, our experienced staff work on the streets meeting groups of young people to ascertain what is going on and who may need help. Home visits where feasible allow us to meet families and understand their domestic circumstances. This opportunity also allows us to signpost other family members to relevant support agencies.
We ask the young people to make a commitment to participate fully in the project in advance of joining, and then decide their personal aims and objectives from the course. They are encouraged to reflect on sessions and critically analyse what went well and what could have been done better, making sessions more effective in meeting their needs. Young people’s views are both valued and acted upon.
PROJECT OUTCOMES
Alcohol is an important health issue because of its effects on both the individual and communities as a whole. The health and overall well being of our youth is vital to the future and will have a significant impact on improving health and wellbeing and reducing crime and disorder as well as improving their quality of life. Through diversity and innovation we believe young people’s lives can be improved in conjunction with other stakeholders thereby shifting the emphasis towards preventative action within the community.
The individual outcomes for young people will include:
• Understanding of the impact of alcohol on their health
• Recognition of their own alcohol usage patterns and why they abuse alcohol
• Recognition of familial alcohol abuse and its consequences
• Ability and belief that they can change their behaviour and the practical help and support to allow them to achieve this
• Confidence and skills to face the challenges and achieve their potential in life
FURTHER DETAILS OR TO REFER A YOUNG PERSON
Contact:
Nadine Charles
Programme Manager
YOUNG POTENTIAL
43 Carlton Road
Worksop
S80 1PD
Tel 01909 487030
Mobile 07830294180
Email nadine.c@youngpotential.org.uk
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