Local alcohol partnership helps enhance healthier lifestyles for young people

Ludlow’s Community Alcohol Partnership (LCAP) are funding qualified detached youth workers to work alongside young people, to advise on health and social issues around the misuse of alcohol and the effects of anti-social behaviour on their community.

The detached youth work has been made possible thanks to money from the Shrop-CAP Project, a £90,000 scheme set up with funding from Baroness Newlove, the Government’s Champion for Active, Safer Communities, to help give local neighbourhoods the tools to address underage drinking and associated anti-social behaviour.

Youth work helps keeps young people safe by reducing anti-social behaviour and promoting community cohesion.  Detached youth work is a distinct form of work with young people, and uses informal education to engage young people, some of whose lifestyles are sometimes chaotic and problematic.  Detached youth workers work where young people have chosen to be, whether this is on streets, in cafes or shopping centres etc.  Workers make contact with young people wherever they are.

In Ludlow, the detached youth workers will be working on the streets on a Friday evening, and will be engaging and building positive and long-term relationships with young people in their area, by offering information and guidance on healthy lifestyles and on staying safe. Youth workers will also be promoting existing and new youth sessions at Ludlow Youth Centre.

Di Phillips, Shropshire Council’s positive activities co-ordinator (south), said:

“Detached youth work plays a vital role in engaging with young people, promoting learning, broadening horizons and building self esteem.

“The funding from LCAP will allow us to extend our detached youth work on a Friday evening, and will support the ongoing work to help young people, by addressing any issues they have and developing informal education projects that address young people’s needs.”

For more information about detached youth work and activities at Ludlow Youth Centre call Di Philips on 01584 874723 or email di.phillips@shropshire.gov.uk.
.
For information on LCAP contact Vicky Turner on 07582 004017 or email vicky.turner@shropshire.gov.uk. 

Further information

Ludlow Community Alcohol Partnership (LCAP) was the first CAP in Shropshire.  Set up in July 2010, its original purpose was tackling the sale and supply of alcohol to children through a process of education, enforcement and changing community perceptions.

The partnership is made up of representatives from Shropshire Council’s positive activities team, licensing officers, drugs and alcohol workers and the Ludlow area community action officer.  There are also representatives from Ludlow Town Council, local police, Ludlow College, Ludlow School, South Shropshire Youth Forum, South Shropshire Housing Association and local retailers.

With the addition of Ludlow to the countywide alcohol partnership, the purpose of the group has been reinforced. 

The partnership now meets on a monthly basis, and is planning community projects and diversionary activities for the coming months.  If you would like to be involved with the partnership or the work being done, please contact Vicky Turner on 07582 004017 or email vicky.turner@shropshire.gov.uk.