Alcohol Policy UK

New PhD studentships - alcohol

Three research council funded studentships in Cardiff and Bristol are being made available through the collaboration between two internationally known research groups: the Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer), which is a UKCRC Public Health Research Centre of Excellence and the Violence and Society Research Group, recent winner of the 2010 Queen's Anniversary Prize.

Two studentships relating to alcohol misuse are offered, supervised by Simon Moore, one focussing on the social context of consumption (in particular normative perceptions of use) and the second concerns the role of health practitioners in challenging misuse.

Successful applicants would be expected to play an active role in ongoing projects and work across a range of disciplines. Closing date for applications is 30th July.  Details here.

Alcohol commissioning skills survey

The AERC Alcohol Academy is seeking the views of those with a responsibility or interest in alcohol commissioning skills and knowledge.

If you are an alcohol lead, commissioner or other professional in the field please complete the online survey or disseminate to relevant colleagues.

Responses will help identify the skills and learning options most valuable in developing alcohol-related commissioning. From here the Academy will develop an Alcohol Commissioning Learning Programme or series of workshops -  by completing the survey you will be able to register interest to partake in a free pilot of the programme.

The survey should not take more than 10 minutes to complete and closes on Friday 16th July 2010.

Your information will be kept anonymous. For more information please visit www.alcoholacademy.net or find alcohol commissioning resources here.

To share this survey please send http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KHXY6JL or simply copy and paste alcohol commissioning survey.

Alcohol news and updates: June 2010

Drinkaware World Cup campaign as alcohol problems anticipated

The industry funded alcohol charity Drinkaware has launched its World Cup awareness campaign. 'Hoof it' includes viral and roadshow marketing and ten thousand 'drink less play more' footballs will be given away.

Concerns over anticipated spikes in alcohol-related crime and disorder mount as the World Cup approaches- see BBC story. It is also expected that high workplace absence will be caused by hangovers as well as people skipping off to catch the big games.

World cup alcohol licensing guidance is available here.

NICE prevention guidance media coverage

Following the publication of the NICE alcohol prevention guidance various media and comment has appeared. A BBC feature covers arguments over minimum pricing recommendations, the Independent highlighted support whilst an Observer comment questioned the role of culture. A Daily Mail article by Dr Henry Featherstone suggests a re-structuring of alcohol duty as a better approach to minimum pricing.

Other news

Industry giant SABMiller PLC is seeking an Alcohol Policy Manager to 'positively advance SABMiller’s global reputation on alcohol so as to contribute toward the attainment of SABMiller’s vision of being the most admired brewer. Further details here.

Laura Hall, the first woman to be given a nationwide Drinking Banning Order (DBO) has said she wishes to stop drinking in this BBC report. A Scottish police chief has blamed alcohol for 14 recent murders, highlighting the rising impact of alcohol-related disorder - BBC story here.

As well as the forthcoming alcohol events on BME and workforce development, a Westminster Forum keynote seminar ‘Alcohol 2010 - public health, policy and personal responsibility’ takes place on the 8th July in London - see here for details.

Upcoming events: alcohol workforce and BME

Developing the alcohol workforce

Next week an event to explore the needs of specialist alcohol practitioners and those who could deliver Identification and Brief Advice (IBA) takes place in London on the 15th June.

'Reducing Harm from Alcohol – National Resources for Local Workforce and Skills Development Conference' - download the event flyer [pdf].

Places are still available - see here for details on how to book. 

BME national alcohol workshop

Places are also available for a national workshop on the 6th July to examine Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups and alcohol-realted harm. The Joeseph Rowntree Foundation and Middlesex University will both be launching reports following work on BME alcohol issues.

See here for further details and to book places.

Local Alcohol Workforce and Skills Development Conference, 15th June 2010

Reducing Harm from Alcohol – National Resources for Local Workforce and Skills Development Conference is taking place on the 15th June 2010 in London.

Conference details here or download the event flyer [pdf].

The conference forms part of the Skills for Health work programme commissioned by the Department of Health to address workforce development needs for specialist practitioners and all who could or do deliver Identification and Brief Advice (IBA).

Attendance at the conference is recommended for all those who are involved directly or indirectly in delivering services for alcohol across all sectors; public, private, and voluntary, and including practitioners, workforce planners and commissioners, education commissioners, education providers, training and development leads. 

To register, please go to: www.eventprouk.com, click on EVENT REGISTRATION then input: Username: EP1243 Password: AL150610 (Please note that all the 0's are zeros' and use capital letters)

Registration will be open until 7th June 2010.

Location: Holiday Inn Bloomsbury London WC1N 1HT (Holiday Inn Bloomsbury Map & Directions)

If you have any queries concerning registration please do not hesitate to contact Liz Moss, liz@eventprouk.com or Tel: 0845 8385188

BME National Alcohol Workshop 6th July 2010

The Alcohol Improvement Programme (AIP) will be holding a national workshop on the 6th July to examine the needs of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups in relation to alcohol-harm. The workshop in Peterborough will be based on the findings of a brief evaluation study conducted by the research team at the University of Middlesex and will cover:

• Common problems experienced by BME Groups in relation to needs for service provision and responses to needs.
• An overview of differences between Regions and between BME groups in the needs for service provision.
• Describe best practice in relation to 'Equality Impact Assessments'.
• Share good practice examples and learning from the field

Online booking is available but in order to obtain a password for the event send an email with your name, job title and work address to: ruth.fleming@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Events: Alcohol Studies Group conference, Youth Policy and Home Office best practice

New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group conference 2010

The New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group (NDSAG) 2010 conference takes place from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th April in Norwich. For further details including registration form see the NDSAG blog.

NDSAG is concerned with the use and abuse of alcohol in society, and the treatment of people with alcohol-related problems. Its aim is to promote a better understanding of these topics. The Group is mainly a forum for debate; where anybody concerned with helping people with drinking problems is encouraged to exchange ideas, share results and learn about new developments in the field.

Youth Policy project consultation seminars

The Alcohol Concern Youth Policy project are conducting 'Young People and Alcohol Consultation Seminars' across the country, starting next month in London - download flyer. The events aim to support the development of youth specific resources, share innovative local practice, contribute to national policy recommendations and take the opportunity to network with other professionals.

Tackling alcohol related violence & disorder in market towns: networking event

On Monday the 22nd March in Hinckley, Leicestershire, a conference and networking event takes place to look at responses to alcohol related problems in market towns. The event has been organised by Hinckley & Bosworth and the Home Office to bring together practitioners from market town locations to share good practice of “what works” in tackling alcohol related crime and disorder.

The Home Office are also arranging further conference events in March including best practice for seaside towns and the priority area wrap up event. The Havering Beacon Night Time Economy event also takes place in March.

The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) are also currently holding alcohol consultation events.

Havering Beacon conference: best practice in managing the Night Time Economy

As London’s only Beacon accredited local authority for managing its town centre night time economy, Havering is holding a 2010 Beacon Conference.

Supported by the Home Office and featuring contributions from senior figures covering all areas of one of the UK’s most legislated industries, the conference is free to professionals looking to develop a safer, stronger and more successful local night time economy. 

However, places are strictly limited - download the Havering Beacon event conference flyer for further details and registration.

NOMS Alcohol Policy Stakeholder Consultation Events

The National Offender Management Service Interventions and Substance Misuse Group (NOMS ISMG) is holding a series of stakeholder consultation events in February and March 2010 to inform the development of NOMS Alcohol Policy.

These are practically focused events aimed primarily at commissioners, strategists/policy makers, operational managers and practitioners from community and custodial settings and representatives from the alcohol treatment sector.

Please download the NOMS Alcohol Policy Consultation Events Flyer for more information about the events and how to apply for a place. Enquiries and expressions of interest should be made to Rebecca Kamara.

Home Office best practice and networking events

The Home Office Alcohol Strategy Unit are organising two free events in Brighton and London as the Partnership Support Programme concludes.

Tackling alcohol related violence & disorder in coastal towns: networking event

On Thursday 4 March 2010, 9.30am - 4.45pm, an event to share good practice of “what works” in tackling alcohol related crime and disorder in coastal locations will take place in Brighton & Hove.

This event has been organised by Brighton & Hove City Council with their Safe in the City Partnership and the Home Office to bring together practitioners from recognised Seaside locations in England and Wales. It will particularly focus on alcohol related challenges specific to coastal towns such as planning for large seasonal influxes of people, effectively tackling alcohol related ASB and managing large numbers of stag and hen parties

For registration and full details, download Coastal Town invitation

'Alcohol Priority Area' wrap up event

On Thursday 18th March 2010, 10.30am - 4pm will be the 'Alcohol Priority Area' event for representatives from the Home Office’s 50 priority areas.

For registration and full details, download 2008-03-18 wrap up event flyer

For other forthcoming alcohol-related events see our recent listing here.