An innovative new Community Alcohol Partnership highlighting the risks of underage drinking to children and young people has launched in Lewisham.

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The launch took place today (15 May 2024).

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Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs) are made up of partnerships between local authorities, young people services, police, schools, retailers and health providers who work together to highlight the risks of underage drinking and improve the health and wellbeing of local children and young people.  

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Lewisham CAP+ is led by The Young Lewisham Project, an alternative provision based in Forest Hill which offers a range of supportive, alternative, vocational programmes to young people who are perhaps not reaching their full potential in mainstream education.

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The partnership will initially focus on the delivery of the Young Health Champions qualification within The Young Lewisham Project itself but will then deliver the qualification within local schools.

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The young health champion (YHC) qualification is for 14 to 24 year olds and aims to give them the skills, knowledge and confidence to act as peer mentors.

YHCs are trained in how to increase awareness of healthy lifestyles and encourage involvement in activities to promote good health across community and educational settings

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Kate Winstanley, Director of CAP said “We know from extensive research that underage drinking can lead to school and educational problems, as well as unsafe sex, drug-taking, violence and drinking problems in later life."

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‘We also know that the work CAPs do in local communities can lead to significant reductions in alcohol supply to children, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and underage street drinking in local communities. It’s great to see local partners coming together in this new CAP to highlight the risks of underage drinking and reduce alcohol harm among our young people.”

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She continued: “We are proud to be a part of the great work that The Lewisham Youth Project does and are looking forward to making an impact in the local community.”

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For media information, please contact: Samantha Patel, Communications Manager: sam@communityalcoholpartnerships.co.uk

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