The Alcohol Education Trust launches its on-line learning zone

The Alcohol Education Trust has launched its on-line learning zone to help 11-18 year olds stay safe around alcohol.

Cabinet Minister with responsibility for The Cabinet Office and West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin launches the Alcohol Education Trust on line learning zone www.talkaboutalcohol.com on the 10th June at The Isle of Portland Aldridge Academy (IPACA) 6 th Form Samsung digital suite.

Helena Conibear, Director of the Trust comments “This is not just a website! www.talkaboutalcohol.com is a learning zone based in the science of on-line gaming. Through research at Bangor University showing that gaming can improve healthy choices and social norms research at Bournemouth University we have built games and activities in partnership that are interactive and fun, but are designed to help young people make healthy choices”.

The site, of course, has straightforward information on units and guidelines, the effect of alcohol on the body and the law as well as quizzes and short films. Schools, youth groups and sports clubs are also encouraged to upload projects and activities they have run on the theme of building alcohol awareness and staying safe around alcohol. The complex project has taken two years and £30,000 to complete from concept to launch and The Alcohol Education Trust are very grateful to the funders and partners who have made this possible.

These include £10,000 from The Garfield Weston Foundation and £7000 from Golding Vision, the wellbeing arm of Golding Homes. A further £14,000 was raised from the generosity of individual donors, a City Livery Company and community fundraising. Bangor and Bournemouth University have developed games for the site and the site developers Wellbeing People have been excellent partners. The development of an interactive and fun learning zone complements the highly evaluated “Talk about Alcohol” 100 page workbook of over 30 lessons and activities developed for teachers and community leaders to use with 11-18 year olds which is fully supported on line with films and resources via www.alcoholeducationtrust.org .

The “Talk about Alcohol” programme is shown by the National Foundation for Education Research to significantly delay the age that teenagers begin drinking. In addition the AET has picture and story led activities for children with special