Two new Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs) highlighting the risks of underage drinking to children and young people have launched in Paulsgrove and Portsea.

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CAPs are partnerships between organisations and the community 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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Partners in the new CAPs include: Portsmouth City Council, United Learning Portsmouth Cluster and ARK Charter Academy.

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The CAPs in Paulsgrove and Portsea will work to educate young people about underage drinking and help them to make better decisions about issues such as alcohol, drugs and anti-social behaviour.

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Working with local retailers, the CAP also aims to prevent underage sales and ‘proxy’ sales, where adults buy alcohol for under-18s.    

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Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care at Portsmouth City Council, said: “We’re delighted to be working with our communities to understand and address the impact underage drinking can have on children and young people. The two CAPs in Paulsgrove and Portsea are testament to the relationships between the council, local schools and our residents, who are committed to working together and making a real difference to the people of Portsmouth.”

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Kate Winstanley, Director of CAP, said: “We know from extensive research that underage drinking can lead to lots of challenges for young people in their education, relationships, health and also in later life.  We also know that the work CAPs do in local communities can help reduce things like the supply of alcohol to children, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and underage street drinking.  That’s why 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 looking forward to seeing the initiatives that the CAP is working on and to making an impact in the local community.”

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As part of the CAP, the council will work with schools in Paulsgrove and Portsea to hear from children and young people about the ideas they have to address underage drinking, and support communities in implementing ideas.

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David Oakes, Executive Principal at Castle View Academy, part of the United Learning Portsmouth Cluster, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the CAP, supporting our young people in Castle View Academy, developing awareness of heathy life choices, and offering them opportunities beyond the classroom.”

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