A pilot scheme designed to reduce problems associated with alcohol will launch in Hull’s Foredyke ward.
The Alcohol Ambassador scheme – announced as Alcohol Awareness Week begins – will initially see Humberside Police PCSOs and Neighbourhood Team members trained to identify signs someone could be struggling.
The project will then be extended to see members of the community trained to offer support and advice.
At the beginning of next year, the ambassadors will begin working in partnership with Hull’s alcohol support service, Renew, and the council’s public health team.
The project, the first of its kind in the city, is the outcome a series of workshops which brought together agencies, organisations and individuals to support people and communities in relation to alcohol harms.
#AlcoholAwarenessWeek! Today we’re focusing on the risks of drinking too much. Explore our ⭐new⭐ interactive body map to learn more about the risks of drinking too much and the benefits of cutting down: https://t.co/cWqOdxe3Jj pic.twitter.com/6vHfxtjrrD
— Alcohol Change UK (@AlcoholChangeUK) 12 November 2019
Once the first wave of PCSOs and Neighbourhood Team staff have received their training this week, information sessions will be held for members of the community to find out what being an ambassador involves and how they can sign up for training.
Councillor Gwen Lunn, portfolio holder for Public Health and Adult Social Care, said: “We want Alcohol Ambassadors to become something the community really embraces and understands as a good thing. It’s about supporting people who may be struggling themselves or have worries about a family member or friend.
“Reducing the harms associated with alcohol is also about recognising that problematic drinking doesn’t necessarily mean someone is frequently falling-down drunk or is dependent on alcohol to get through the day. Part of the ambassador role will be raising awareness about what is really meant by drinking ‘too much’ and how this can affect someone’s health and personal life.”
Pupils from Winifred Holtby secondary school are taking part in a competition to design pin badges, with the winning concept made into badges for ambassadors to wear.
Information sessions will take place today from 2pm to 4pm at Bodmin Road Church; tomorrow from 2pm to 5.30pm at Bespoke Resource Centre and Monday November 25 from 2pm to 5pm at North Bransholme Community Centre.
