STUDENTS in Fishguard and Goodwick are encouraging people to stop and think about the role alcohol plays in their lives.

They have spent months working closely with Fishguard and District Soroptimists and Alcohol Concern’s Communities Together project to run a conference at Ysgol Bro Gwaun, centred on alcohol and its impact on local communities.

On January 19, around 50 students were joined by local community groups to hear presentations from people working to improve the local area.

They heard from Rachel Wilson of Choices young people’s drug and alcohol service, Marc Evans of the POINT young people’s employment trust, Carole Evans of the Soroptimists, Liz Hooper, head of Ysgol Bro Gwaun sixth form and Marc Mordey of Communities Together.

The speakers aimed to stimulate debate and help the young people prepare ideas for projects that will form part of their Welsh Baccalaureate Community Challenge.

A week later, the students gathered to firm up ideas. They include: A drama presentation, written and performed by sixth formers; a film to inform teenagers about the risks of underage drinking; a ‘Pass It On’ campaign aimed at getting adults to stop drinking alcohol for a week; and a social media campaign aimed at providing information and advice about the use of alcohol.

The students will present their finished projects by the end of the Easter term. They hope many will run beyond this and have a lasting impact in the local community.

Liz Hooper, head of the sixth form at Ysgol Bro Gwaun, said: “It’s an exciting time for the sixth form to work together with the community to implement and sustain change and improvement. We truly hope that we can make a real difference by raising awareness of alcohol and its impact on individuals, families and our local community here as a whole.”

Carole Evans, of Fishguard and Goodwick Soroptimists said: “The students have developed a number of significant projects with a focus on different groups within our community. Their energy and enthusiasm suggests this will be a worthwhile inter-generational challenge which will support their A Level work, develop and improve knowledge and understanding of responsible and risky drinking, and make a difference."