AET newsletter

November 2019

As we make our way towards Christmas, we realise what a busy year we've had! We are just finishing our reporting for the AET year (end of September) and have seen an amazing 48% growth in demand for our resources and training across the country. This has been driven by two things: our supporting of schools and youth organisations across Scotland for the first time (130 new schools alone this year) and the appointment of a dedicated schools, parents and young people coordinator for the Midlands, South and South West, resulting in us supporting 237 more settings!

Our wonderful regionally based coordinators Kathryn (North), Brian (Scotland) and Karen (S,SW and Midlands) have been busy supporting schools and a wide range of organisations across the country all year, but especially last week as it was Alcohol Awareness Week!

Reflections on 10 years of keeping children safe around alcohol

As you know, 2019 is the AET’s 10th anniversary year and the final celebration took place on the 7th November at the House of Lords. We had a very hurried change of venue due to the dissolution of parliament and we are so grateful to The Lord Speaker, Baroness Stedman –Scott and The Baroness Rock for providing us with the most wonderful alternative venue of The River Room.

Students from the Atlantic Academy came all the way up from Portland in Dorset to speak about why alcohol education is important to them and students from the Greycoat Hospital School performed a brilliant short drama called ‘We drink because…' Both brought the important issues around alcohol to life and were fantastic!

It was the first time our Trustees and staff had all come together and CEO Helena Conibear made it clear that the success of our work is only due to the dedication and hard work of staff, trustees, volunteers and friends, and our being here today wouldn’t be possible without our wonderful patrons, funders and supporters. Huge thanks to all who helped organise this memorable occasion and all who attended! You can read Helena's speech via

https://alcoholeducationtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/HMC-AET-10th-Birthday-report-2019.pdf 

and watch the drama performances via https://youtu.be/X08_QohdA3s  and https://youtu.be/kNMP6Mx-uzo 

AET's new premises!

We are delighted that, thanks to the support of so many, we have now raised enough money to build the Pavilion in the Park (PiPs) - our new café, community space and office. PiPs will be located on the Great Field in Poundbury, Dorset – you can read all about it here: https://alcoholeducationtrust.org/pavilion-in-the-park/ Our work isn't quite done yet as we need to find £20,000 for fixtures and fittings. If you can offer any help, either with materials or by offering your time, we would love to hear from you! All being well, the build will start in March 2020 and we hope to be open during the summer holidays 2020!

New PowerPoints ready to trial

As health education becomes compulsory for alcohol education next September, we have been busy working on a set of 6 PowerPoints which will offer ready-made, engaging and effective lessons on alcohol education. This new resource will be perfect for teachers who are asked to deliver PSHE but may have had little training or time in which to plan. We are looking for schools to help us pilot the PowerPoints before their official launch next year. If you would like to get involved, please email kate@alcoholeducationtrust.org .

Can you help us receive £1000?

Ecclesiastical Insurance are holding their annual 12 Days of Giving event during which supporters are asked to nominate a charity for one of 120 grants of £1,000. This takes place during December in the run-up to Christmas. We would be delighted if you could nominate us - all you need to do is complete a short form via https://www.ecclesiastical.com/movement-for-good/12-days/ .
You will need our Registered Charity Number which is 1138775. Thank you so much for your support.

With best wishes from us all,

Helena, Alison, Julie, Kathryn, Brian, Karen and Kate