Penketh High School to get lesson on underage drinking

The international educational theatre production, Smashed, will visit 18 schools in the area to help reduce underage drinking and its associated harms.

Created by Collingwood Learning and backed by Diageo, the project will educate students about the causes and consequences of underage drinking through interactive performances.

The initiative will run from November 4 to November 15.

Smashed will be visiting Penketh High School in Warrington on November 13.

The show educates students about the causes and consequences of underage drinking (Image: Smashed) Combining drama with interactive workshops, Smashed uses professional actors to present a 25-minute performance followed by a 35-minute workshop where participants discuss the themes and choices made by the characters.

Now in its 20th year, Smashed has reached students in 38 countries worldwide.

The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting a culture of health and well-being among adolescents.

During the 2023-2024 school year, 73 per cent of students in Great Britain reported being less likely to drink alcohol underage after seeing the Smashed performance.

The project collaborates closely with Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs), an organisation that unites councils, police, retailers, schools, health providers, and community groups across the UK to reduce alcohol-related harm among young people.

Despite positive progress in reducing underage drinking in the UK over the past decade, data from the UK Government highlights that hospital admissions for alcohol-specific conditions among under-18s in Liverpool are above the national average (33.9 per 100,000 compared to 26.0 per 100,000).

Nuno Teles, managing director at Diageo GB, said: "I am so proud that Smashed has reached its twentieth year in Great Britain.

"This really is a testament to the incredible impact of the programme worldwide, consistently delivering a fantastic learning experience for young people with a proven significant increase in understanding of the dangers of underage drinking.

"At Diageo, we are deeply committed to tackling underage drinking and we hope that the students we are visiting across Liverpool will not only gain valuable insights from the performances, but also leave better informed and prepared to make responsible choices about alcohol."

Smashed has reached students in 38 countries worldwide (Image: Smashed) Chris Simes, managing director at Collingwood Learning, said: "We are excited to return to Liverpool with Smashed Live in Autumn 2024.

"Despite the progress made in reducing underage drinking across Great Britain, it remains crucial to continue reinforcing our message, and our team is eager to engage young people across Liverpool about the ongoing health and social risks of drinking underage."

Diageo has supported Smashed since it began in 2005.

The programme, developed in consultation with young people and recognised for its educational impact, has a proven positive impact.

According to the latest UK evaluation report, after attending a Smashed session, 83 per cent of students said they had 'some' or 'lots' of knowledge about the risks of drinking alcohol underage.

Eighty-nine per cent of students said they feel equipped to make the right choices about drinking alcohol.

Eighty-seven per cent of students said that if they or someone they knew were having problems with alcohol, they would know where to get help.

Seventy-three per cent of students said that they were less likely to drink alcohol underage following the Smashed performance.

The programme, which aims to educate 10 million young people by 2030, expanded in 2021 with Smashed Online, which uses filmed clips, interactive tools, and assessments that can be completed in schools or from home.

Schools not reached by the live tour can also take part in Smashed Online.

For more information on the Smashed programme and its upcoming tour, visit the Smashed Project website.