Enabling young people to make drug-free choices

Children and young people are at the heart of Hope UK’s mission.

Our Educators reach out to young people and their carers, offering education, advice and support relating to alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

We do this by training community-based voluntary Drug Educators, who deliver:

• Alcohol and drug awareness sessions for children, young people, parents and other adults who have responsibility for them

• Training for children’s, youth, church and family workers

Hope UK Voluntary Drug Educators undertake a 120 hour course that includes Open College Network accredited distance learning and three residential training weekends prior to recognition.   After this we provide them with on-going support and training.

Case studies and comments from groups we have worked with help demonstrate the effectiveness of our Educators.

We have embarked on a programme that will see Hope UK supporting 1,000 Voluntary Drug Educators by the end of 2013 (or when the economic situation allows). They will then be reaching 500,000 children and young people each year. This 2008-13 Strategy will more than double Hope UK’s 2008 expenditure (£555,000). Please help us reach this target by making a gift.

Hope UK is a Christian charity, which was formed in 1855 as the UK Band of Hope Union. We aim to work with and for children and young people, as well as adults responsible for them. Around half of our work falls outside of church networks with people from all backgrounds and other faiths.

A Hope UK newsletter is published three times a year and is available by post and e-mail.  Request it by e-mailing m.watson@hopeuk.org or completing the order form and returning it to Hope UK.