I’ve been sent the press release announcing the finalists in Mentor UK’s CHAMP Award:
Supporting the Government’s crackdown on juvenile drinking as outlined in the Youth Alcohol Action Plan, the search for the most innovative and effective work to prevent children and young people from misusing alcohol has been narrowed down to twelve projects from across Great Britain. Mentor UK, the alcohol and drugs prevention charity, is delighted to announce the finalists of the 2008 Mentor UK CHAMP Awards (Promoting Children’s Health through Alcohol Misuse Prevention) in three categories: schools, communities and young people’s involvement.
This biennial awards scheme founded by Mentor UK and supported by Diageo Great Britain, recognises those working with children and young people (14 years or under) to prevent alcohol misuse – both now and in their future lives. The finalists have been chosen by a panel of experts, including teachers, health professionals and drug prevention specialists. They have shortlisted projects that address risk factors such as boredom and lack of aspiration, and that take into account factors that protect young people from alcohol misuse, such as encouraging achievement and motivation.
As Eric Carlin, CEO of Mentor UK and chair of the Judging Panel states:
“The media constantly bombards us with negative images of young people – especially around misuse of alcohol. The Mentor UK CHAMP Awards proves that there are alternatives and that there are great projects out there helping young people make sensible choices and live healthy lives.”
The twelve finalists will go on to be judged by panels of the very people they are working to protect, children and young people. The shortlisted projects all demonstrate best practice in the field, and the children and young people will be looking particularly for the most creative and innovative entries.
The twelve excellent projects shortlisted include a football club in Thorplands which works with young people, some of whom have been excluded from school, alcohol workshops from the Churches Action on Substance Misuse and a poster campaign designed by young people in Denton which promotes the message that their town is an alcohol free zone in relation to underage drinking.
The award winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Royal Institution in London in November. Winners will each receive £10,000 this year, and up to a further £10,000 of mentoring and practical consultancy support in 2009.
For further information please visit www.mentorfoundation.org/uk/awards
Filed under: Drug Education Forum Members, alcohol , CHAMP
