DASH organised a winter BBQ at the Youth Club on December the 21st for the young people in Shipston.  Though Christmas is generally a period of happiness and merriment, it also poses an increased risk to many.  The risks apply to all sectors of the community with increased leisure time and easy access to alcohol playing a key role. 

The Christmas period is particularly risky for young people, whose exuberance for partying for prolonged periods is often demonstrated, and perhaps not in safer environments many others enjoy. 

The objective of the BBQ was to raise young people’s awareness of the risk to them in a relaxed and informal style.  DASH youth workers had liaised with agencies such as Respect Yourself (sexual health), Warwickshire Drug and Alcohol Team and NHS sectors to provide a goody bag containing information that could be used by young people for information, particularly during a period when many support services were offering reduced access during the festive period.

The BBQ was attended by about 25 young people who enjoyed sausages and burgers supplied by one of Shipston’s local butchers, Rightons.  During the evening, the young people discussed issues such as sexual health with youth workers and sampled the delights of fruit punch. DASH committee members, local youth worker Katie Corbie and PCSO Guy Blacklock attended to support DASH workers Kellie Croasdell and Kieran McGerty.  WAYC provided v involved worker Victoria O’Connor and Youth Worker Lee Atkins to ensure the young people were supported fully.  Having provided free ‘gifts’ for the young people Helen Fielden from the Respect Yourself team was intrigued by the idea of a winter BBQ also popped in too. The young people who attended were a credit the town and the most important objective of the night was met; to wish them all a safe and happy Christmas and to thank them for their contribution to the community!