DRINK WISE AGE WELL
A Prevention Worker from Devon Drink Wise Age Well will give a presentation on the work of the organisation.
Minutes:
The Chairman welcomed Mr Darren Walker, Prevention Worker from Drink Wise, Age Well to the meeting.
Mr Walker explained that the Drink Wise Age Well projectwas self-funded through the National Lottery and was one of five throughout the country that had been set up as a trial. There was an aspirational aim to be country wide. This was a seven year project, the first year had been research and they were now in the second year which was implementation. Year 7 would be evaluation.
The project had three strands. The first strand covered prevention and involved marketing, education and knowledge. The project looked specifically at the over 50's and their relationship with alcohol. Research had shown that the over 50’s were the fastest growing group that had a harmful relationship with alcohol. In Devon, rural isolation, lack of transport and life changing events that happen in that age group where all a cause. The prevention team were working in the community spreading the word, through events, festivals, stalls and by talking to employers.
The second strand of the project was the Resilience Team which was community driven, aiming to get to those that may be isolated out into the community, trying to connect with them to avoid the triggers that might lead to drink.
The third strand involved working with hospitals and GP surgeries to work with those that already had an alcohol problem.
Mr Walker explained that the group worked as a signpost to direct clients to options such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Age UK and other agencies that could support them.
Mr Walker thanked the Committee for their time.