Play looks at dangers of underage drinking

Burgess Hill Girls students received a hard-hitting lesson about the risks of underage drinking this week as part of an award-winning awareness programme.

The SMASHED tour visited the school yesterday (Wednesday) to educate pupils on the facts, causes and consequences of alcohol misuse.

The Burgess Hill Girls were among 1,900 Sussex students experiencing the programme this week and among 55,000 secondary school students in the UK (aged 12 to 14) experiencing it this year.

SMASHED is delivered by Collingwood Learning and sponsored by beverage alcohol company Diageo.

Chris Simes from Collingwood Learning said: “We’re thrilled that SMASHED is going live in UK schools, back by popular demand. There is a huge appetite for quality participative learning experiences for young people on vital social development issues as a result of the pandemic.”

This tour is the first time SMASHED has given inperson school performances since before the pandemic, having performed livestreamed, virtual shows during Covid.

Dayalan Nayager, managing director Great Britain, Diageo, said: “We’re proud to have supported SMASHED for over 15 years and to once again be bringing this impactful performance into schools up and down the country as we emerge from the pandemic.

“It’s encouraging to see the decline in underage drinking, and we hope that SMASHED continues to play a part in supporting this positive trend.”

SMASHED was developed in consultation with young people and combines drama with interactive workshops.

It is delivered in schools by professional actors and the live workshop features a play with a group of friends who find themselves in trouble as a result of alcohol misuse.

This is followed by an interactive workshop where pupils can talk to the cast on any of the issues in the play.

In addition to live performances, SMASHED provides support for schools by delivering personal, social and health education, and offers a free online guide that supports parents with discussions at home about underage drinking.

In 2020, Diageo launched its ten-year action plan, Society 2030: Spirit of Progress, with the goal of helping to create a more inclusive and sustainable world. Diageo also committed to educating more than 10 million people on the dangers of underage drinking through SMASHED by 2030.