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With thousands of teenagers set to celebrate the end of GSCE and AS Level exams in Newquay, Cornwall, this summer, alcohol awareness charity Drinkaware is launching a café exclusively for 16 and 17 year olds to tackle alcohol misuse in the town.
In the month following exams, the Fistral Blu café overlooking popular Fistral Beach will be transformed into the ‘Got Your Back’ café, an alcohol-free haven where friends can meet, hang out and eat discounted food while having access to alcohol facts and information. For six exclusive days, the café will provide young people with a safe and fun environment to chill out with friends and enjoy free facilities which will include a photo booth, table football, DJ decks, TV and Wii games, internet access and a phone charging station.
With its famous combination of sand, surf and nightlife, Newquay attracts around 6,000 16-17 year olds each summer as groups of friends arrive to celebrate the end of exams. However, last year’s celebrations were blighted by a series of accidents including the death of two students who fell from the cliffs, and one who suffered a broken neck.
Launching in conjunction with the Newquay Safe Partnership, spearheaded by the local council and police, Drinkaware’s ‘Got Your Back’ campaign aims to encourage friends to look out for each other, think about the risks of excessive drinking and provide advice to keep teens safe. The ‘Got Your Back’ Café at Fistral Blu will be open to those with Exodus* wristbands on 5th, 9th, 12th, 16th, 19th and 23rd July.
Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware says: “There are identifiable links between alcohol use and unprotected sex, injury and accidents, but all too often this is the last thing on young people’s minds when they’re drinking. Talking to young people about alcohol and discussing the risks with them, is all part of tackling excessive drinking among teens.
“Drinkaware has based itself in Newquay for part of the summer to engage with young people directly in the popular holiday hotspot. With around 6,000 post GCSE students set to arrive in Newquay after exams, the Fistral Blu Café will provide a safe sanctuary for teenagers to chill out and have fun with friends while being provided with tips to stay safe.”
Parents whose children are going on holiday with friends after exams this summer can get support and advice on how to talk to their teens about alcohol in the dedicated Parent section of the Drinkaware website at www.drinkaware.co.uk/parents
We are hoping to drive 16-17year olds to the Facebook Page 'GOT YOUR BACK' in order to boost campaign awareness. As part of the Got Your Back café, there will be a digital photobooth with will upload to the facebook Page. Fans of the page will be able to find and tag themselves in these photos.
About Drinkaware:
Drinkaware provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and effect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works alongside the medical profession, the alcohol industry and government to achieve its goals. For further information visit www.drinkaware.co.uk
Drinkaware has also developed a section of its site to provide advice and information for parents. www.drinkaware.co.uk/parents offers tips for how parents can broach the issue of alcohol with young people, when it’s a good time to talk to your kids and safety measures that can be put in place if your child is drinking.
Alongside the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance, Drinkaware advises that ideally all under-18s should enjoy an alcohol free childhood. However, if a child is 15 -17 years old and does decide to drink, they should do so no more than once a week and no more than the daily recommended unit guidelines for men and women.
*About Exodus:
Run by Newquay Town Council in conjunction with local businesses, the Exodus scheme offers alcohol free entertainment to under 18s visiting Newquay in the summer
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