Drinkaware unveils 'Got Your Back' cafe in Newquay
27 Jul 2010
Exclusive alcohol-free venue for 16 & 17 year olds launched by the alcohol awareness charity
Drinkaware, the UK’s most recognised alcohol awareness charity, has launched its summer youth campaign highlighting the risks of excessive alcohol consumption to 16 and 17 year olds with the opening of an exclusive alcohol-free chill-out café in Newquay, Cornwall.
With thousands of teenagers set to celebrate the end of GCSE and AS Level exams in the town this summer, Drinkaware has positioned itself on the frontline, transforming the Fistral Blu Café, overlooking popular Fistral Beach, into the ‘Got Your Back’ Café.
The Café is a fun and informal environment where young people can meet friends, hang-out and order discounted food while having access to alcohol facts and information. The Café also boasts a photo booth, table football, DJ decks, TV and Wii games, as well as facilities encouraging young people to keep in touch with their friends and stay safe, including internet access and phone charging stations.
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.
Launched in conjunction with the Newquay Safe Partnership and 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. Running throughout the month of July, the ‘Got Your Back’ Café at Fistral Blu will be in Newquay on the 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. Working closely with the Newquay Safe Partnership and positioning ourselves directly in the town enables Drinkaware to tackle the issue of excessive alcohol consumption with young people directly.
“With thousands of post GCSE students set to arrive in the area after exams, the Café will provide a sanctuary for teenagers to relax and have fun with their friends while being provided with tips to stay safe.”
As the ‘Got Your Back’ Café opens, new research by Drinkaware shows that 39% of parents whose 16 or 17 year old is set to go away this summer, plan to provide alcohol for their trip if requested. More than half (53%) of these parents admit to giving five or more bottles of spirits or wine. One in five (22%) parents say they buy their teenager alcohol to keep track of the amount they will drink, but this could inadvertently put a child at risk.
Sorek adds: “We recommend parents avoid giving their children alcohol for unsupervised holidays. However, we encourage them to discuss the possible risks of alcohol misuse with their children. We know it can be difficult for parents which is why we have a wealth of information and advice available on the dedicated parents area of the website at www.drinkaware.co.uk/parents.”
For further information, including interviews with spokespeople, please contact:
Laura Bryce or Sarah Hall at Frank PR – 020 7693 6999, drinkaware@frankpr.it
Laura Ellis or Becky Medhurst at Drinkaware - 020 7766 9910, mediateam@drinkaware.co.uk
Notes to Editors
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
- Page last updated by
- Laura Ellis, 27 Jul 2010.
