Hope UK

Seventy-one voluntary Drug Educators are available to provide drug awareness sessions for children, young people, parents and youth and church workers. 

Our staff and the London-based voluntary Drug Educators carried out 789 sessions in the past year.  A sample of organisations worked with is below: 

• Beecholme School/Benedict Primary School, CR4 (Year 5 & 6 pupils)
• Ethiopian Community Centre, N17
• St Dunstan’s College, SE6
• Crown Court Church of Scotland, WC2B
• Praise Chapel, HA8
• Gateway Training Centre, SE1
• Education Development Centre, BR2
• Conduit Project, N22
• Chatsworth Baptist Church, SE27
• Paddington Academy, London, W9
• Living Waters Christian Centre, SE23
• Suffolk Baptist Church, EN1
• Oxygen Youth Project, KT3
• Girl Guides, E4
• Bonus Pastor School, SE13
• Pollards Hill Estate Residents Assoc, CR4

 A significant project that took place in Westminster on May 30^th 2009 was participation in the Pentecost Festival in Central London.  This involved twelve Educators in three teams working with the public at three different locations.  

The purpose was to increase alcohol awareness and Educators did this by using visual impairment goggles (‘beer goggles’).  A white line was set out on the grass or pavement for people to walk whilst wearing beer goggles. Activities like Jenga and sorting tasks were also provided.  This gave people a taste of the visual effects of drunkenness which proved to be a great conversation starter.  Adult participants were then given leaflets that helped them assess their own drinking levels. 

Work also began in Kingston where local contacts with other voluntary organisations were developed so that we can recruit new Educators and ensure that there is work for them to do once they are trained.  A launch event was held on October 29^th, 2009 giving community groups the opportunity to learn more about drugs and alcohol and how Hope UK can help them tackle the problem in their area.  The Kingston project will serve as a pilot for the development of local work and Educator networks throughout the UK. 

Hope UK Educators assisted with Junior Citizens programmes in Camden, Southwark and Bromley (for Year 6 pupils in all the local schools) by providing the drug and alcohol component.  This represents a considerable commitment on the part of our Educators as these events are intensive and repetitive, taking place over several weeks. 

In addition, a number of training weekends were held for London-based Educators.  Three weekends covering Basic Training were held for ten new recruits in February, March and May.  Another two Educators from London were included in Basic Training carried out in June as well as one in September.  Seven London-based Educators benefited from specialist training in working with children and another thirteen will receive specialist ‘drugs and sexual health’ training later this month.