As part of the Paulsgrove CAP, students took centre stage in a vibrant 'Drop Down Day' filled with creativity, conversation, and a whole load of fresh ideas. This wasn’t your typical school day - this was young people shaping the future of their own community.

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With ideas, energy and a vision for the future, the day was all about giving students a voice. How can we talk about alcohol in a way that actually makes sense to them? What fun, safe alternatives would they actually want to go to? And how can they get involved in leading the way forward?

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Turns out, Castle View students had a lot to say.

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Real Talk, Real Ideas

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When asked how to make education around alcohol more relevant, students ditched the boring lecture-style approach. Instead, they suggested using social media, one-on-one conversations, and even community storytelling. They talked about the power o fmusic—highlighting artists who sadly lost their lives to alcohol or drugs—and suggested powerful theatre or drama performances to drive the message home.

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Posters, not assemblies. Football talks, not lectures. Keep it real, they said.

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'Fun Without the Fizz'

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Now for the fun part—literally! Students dreamt big when it came to alcohol-free activities. Think Thorpe Park Fright Nights, Alton Towers, Chichester Aqua Park, and even Disneyland Paris! But it wasn’t just about big-ticket attractions.

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There were plenty of creative, local ideas too: from baking and board games to football tournaments and karaoke nights. One of the standout ideas? A music club running from 6–10pm where anyone can perform and vibe with friends. Also on the wishlist: TikTok clubs, movie rooms, arcades, gyms, and even late-night parties—minus the alcohol.

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One student even pitched “The Ultimate Showdown”: a Comic-Con-style event with cosplay, a DJ, and an alcohol-free zone of pure fun. Yes please.

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Future Leaders in the Making

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The energy didn’t stop at ideas—students were also buzzing to get involved. Many want to help build the future of CAP in Paulsgrove, whether that means planning events, running youth panels, or designing social media campaigns. Some even suggested collaborating with YouTubers and TikTok stars to spread the word.

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There’s areal hunger to make a difference. “We could start a club for young people who want to stop or help prevent underage drinking,” one student said. Others were passionate about using music and sport as a powerful distraction from alcohol.

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Partnership at the Heart

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This work will be partnership led, bringing together schools, youth services, community groups and local leaders. The aim is not to reinvent the wheel but to support and amplify the already amazing work happening across Paulsgrove. By building on what’s already working—and listening to the voices of young people—CAP is creating something sustainable, inclusive, and genuinely exciting.

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Big Ideas, Big Impact

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And when asked for their one big idea? From “help alcoholics” to 'music can prevent alcohol' and 'build spaces with games, food courts and gyms,' the message was clear: they want a future filled with hope, support, and opportunity—not hangovers.

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The Castle View CAP Drop Down Day was proof that when you give young people a platform, they don’t just talk—they innovate. This is just the beginning, and the Paulsgrove CAP team is already buzzing with ideas on how to turn these visions into reality.

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Watch this space—because Paulsgrove’s young people are about to make a serious impact.