You Call the Shots
A creative arts project to raise awareness of the effects that hazardous drinking can have on health and well-being.
Despite Rushcliffe's generally good health profiles, the 2010 North West Public Health Observatory’s Alcohol Profiles for England showed that the Borough had the highest number of adult drinkers classified as ‘increasing risk drinkers’ in Nottinghamshire - an ‘increasing risk drinker’ defined as consuming between 22 and 50 units of alcohol per week for males and between 15 and 35 units of alcohol per week for females.
Alcohol and the complexity of issues it can create in the community has been recognised as a priority area for action and work undertaken to address these issues is comprehensive, focused and aims to prevent adults, children and young people from harming themselves and others.
You Call the Shots has been designed as an intervention targeting young people aged 14 and 15 years of age. It aims to improve young people’s knowledge of alcohol units and the effects of drinking too much, encouraging learning about alcohol in a supportive peer group environment and providing information to prompt discussions back in the home.
In Phase One of the intervention an education programme was delivered to over 1,200 young people in secondary schools. A further 75 young people then worked with a professional artist to explore alcohol issues deeper and create a series of visual images depicting alcohol education messages. Their artwork formed the basis of an education calendar given away to residents to display in their homes, public buildings and business premises further disseminating discussion about alcohol issues.
In Phase Two, a group of young artists was formed, with the role of translating the calendar images into a mixed-media touring exhibition, capable of reaching out to new audiences. Through photography, graphic design and the creation of an audio soundscape the You Call the Shots exhibition was devised to take us on a journey through a typical night out for a group of young friends, exploring the effects of alcohol with dramatic consequences.
The You Call the Shots exhibition will run at The Lace Market Gallery, Stoney Street, Nottingham from 3 - 18 November 2011, open 9am - 4.30pm weekdays. It will then tour to community venues, schools and public budilings. If you would like the You Call the Shots exhibition to visit a venue in your area please contact arts@rushcliffe.gov.uk
You Call the Shots has been possible due to support from The South Nottinghamshire Community Safety Partnership and Arts Partnership Nottingham.
For advice and support about alcohol issues contact Drinkline on: 0800 917 8282
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