We support campuses to take a holistic approach to creating healthy, inclusive cultures around drugs and alcohol

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We partner with you to:

Take a whole campus approach

Each of our programmes are based on partnership working, with students’ unions and universities working collaboratively to generate whole campus shifts in alcohol and drug cultures.

Break down harm reduction into key actions

Our programmes are composed of 8 themes. Within each of the themes, the accreditation sets out a number of key actions that universities and students' unions can follow to achieve a whole-university approach.

Improve your delivery

The accreditation schemes bring together universities and students' unions from across the UK offering peer to peer support and the sharing of good practice.

Achieve a nationally recognised award

Following a successful audit, partnerships will be awarded their accreditation, recognising their excellent practice and achievements.

We’re flexible

Each of our programmes are based on partnership working, with students’ unions and universities working collaboratively to generate whole campus shifts in alcohol and drug cultures.

Find out more

We’ve partnered with over

60

organisations

Have made university life safer for over

887,130

students through our responsible drinking and drug harm reduction programmes

Reaching institutions in

27

cities and towns

As a result of our accreditation programmes,
1,350 positive actions
have been taken to promote responsible alcohol consumption or drug harm reduction on campuses.
250 students attend a responsible drinking party at the Students Union at UWE

250 students attend a responsible drinking party at the Students' Union at UWE

We were excited to organise a new event, focusing around having a great time with your friends, and not around alcohol.” - Rania Regaieg, UWE SU

As part of Alcohol Impact, Students Union UWE, ran an end of year party for their halls, based around the principles of inclusive activity and alcohol awareness initiatives. Activities included alcohol quizzes, mocktail making, a BBQ, doughnut wall, ice cream van, beer googles Jenga, swing ball and hook-a-duck. Feedback from students included "[I learnt] that you can have as much fun as when you drink, even better" and "Moderation is key".

The University of East Anglia (UEA) and Students' Union tackle noise disturbances in halls

During participation in Alcohol Impact, UEA and Students' Union recognised that a large number of noise disturbances in halls were linked to pre-drinking. As a result, they instigated "VIPres", an initiative to bring large groups of students who would typically pre-drink in halls of residence into the students' union. The scheme has been popular amongst sports clubs, with approximately 150 students attending each week.

Students outside university building
Student doing work

Teesside University and Students' Union support students in recovery

"We decided to take part in Alcohol Impact as we were already doing a lot of work, around alcohol awareness but felt that the Alcohol Impact programme would help us identify gaps in the work we were doing. It gave us great structure to work to and ensured we covered all of the different areas in order to take a whole university approach to alcohol. We received fantastic support from the Alcohol Impact staff and I was really proud to receive our certificate." - Hazel Wright, Wellbeing Coordinator.

Whilst taking part in Alcohol Impact, Teesside University and Students' Union have demonstrated their commitment to the welfare of students experiencing issues with alcohol. Partnering with Recovery connections, a peer-led, substance use recovery organisation, has allowed students in recovery a chance to complete their course and engage in university life.  (get more from the university on numbers)

FAQ

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Who is SOS-UK?

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How much are students drinking?

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Are you trying to stop students from drinking alcohol?

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Is it really possible to change the drinking culture in students?

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Do the university and students’ union need to sign up in partnership?

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How much do university students use drugs?

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Why should universities and students’ unions be taking a harm reduction approach to drugs?

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What does an effective university drug policy look like?

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