Headlines
Bottletop
Herefordshire Young People Launch Groundbreaking Alcohol Awareness Website
9th December 2008
Bottletop is an innovative alcohol awareness website developed in Hereford by 16-18 year olds, an age-group that’s had less focus for alcohol awareness initiatives.
The project worked with students from the three further education colleges in Hereford who volunteered to be involved. The young people took part in facilitated workshops in which they explored their views about alcohol use and misuse. The workshops acted as a springboard for developing the content of a completely innovative website.
The project wasn't prescriptive about the form that the web-based content would take as it was essential that the students create something that was meaningful for them and their peers, and allow them to apply a number of disciplines to promote alcohol awareness. The resulting site uses a range of media and the content reflects the backgrounds of the students who became involved.
All of the content that has been produced for the website came through facilitated student activities and are their own ideas and words on the subject. The site may not be to everyone’s liking but Bottletop is true to the genuine student’s voice. As one of the students said, “It was really exciting to be doing something for other young people. I think we’re probably the best to know how to put the information across as we are the same age.”
www.bottletop.info is the end result, ‘top info 4 U about alcohol ‘n’ drinking’; a website about alcohol awareness created by young people for young people. The hope is that the site will continue to develop in future years and that new groups of young people will also get the opportunity to have their opinions heard and contribute to the well-being of the Herefordshire community.
www.bottletop.info is the end result, ‘top info 4 U about alcohol ‘n’ drinking’; a website about alcohol awareness created by young people for young people. The hope is that the site will continue to develop in future years and that new groups of young people will also get the opportunity to have their opinions heard and contribute to the well-being of the Herefordshire community.
The project is a partnership between educational theatre charity The Play House, local sustainable development charity the Bulmer Foundation, vibrant local web designers Infinity Unlimited, Herefordshire Primary Care Trust and the three further education colleges in Hereford – Hereford Sixth Form College, Herefordshire College of Technology and Hereford College of Arts. It was funded by various organisations including an investment from Arts & Business to develop the creative partnership. The A&B Investment Programme is funded by Arts Council England, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Scottish Executive.
The agencies involved in alcohol and young peoples’ services in the County assisted in Bottletop’s development.
Dave Marshall, Associate of the Bulmer Foundation responsible for managing and evaluating the project said “The commitment, enthusiasm and energy of the students involved in the development has been exemplary and, with the expert support of Playhouse, Infinity Unlimited and teachers at the Colleges, they have produced some extraordinary content for this groundbreaking site, which offers alcohol messages in attractive but subtle ways whilst also signposting young people to further information and support.”
Dr Akeem Ali, Herefordshire’s Director of Public Health commented ”Herefordshire joined in the national Big Drink Debate in November, in which more than 55 percent of people surveyed said they believed the county had a problem with alcohol.
We want our young people to have healthy fulfilling lives that are not dependant on stimulants such as tobacco and alcohol, but getting important messages about the harmful effects of alcohol can be challenging.
The Bottletop web site has been developed by young people for young people which means it can inform without appearing to preach. It’s an innovative way of grabbing the attention of young people and getting some hard hitting messages about what alcohol abuse does to your body both physically and through associated behaviours.”
Carolyn Pugh of Arts & Business said “Bottletop is a fantastic example of how the arts can engage participants, stimulate debate and unlock creativity to address an important social issue in this cross-partnership project involving arts, business, health and education sectors.”
For further information visit www.bottletop.info or contact Dave Marshall at damagelimited@btinternet.com or on 07919986776
Ed.