TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Fergal Barr
‘Gulp or Sip’ was a training programme designed to provide opportunites for participants to share, exchange and promote models of good practice over 6 working days that deals with alcohol culture. The event was organised against the backdrop of Derry~Londonderry’s 'UK City of Culture 2013' status which presents a significant opportunity to address the culture of alcohol and its social, political and educational implications but primarily its health implications for local communities.
targeted at youth work practitioners, young leaders and other practitioners with a remit or responsibility for the welfare of young people but who through their interest in and commitment to the use of pro-active alcohol-related strategies and approaches are looking to reduce alcohol-related harm among young people.
Participating countries included N Ireland, Rep of Ireland, Poland and Slovenia
The programme used non-formal methods and provided space and time for participants to share and promote examples of good practice but discuss the implications of using different approaches and methodologies to address the culture of alcohol in different environments and settings that cut across diverse cultural boundaries (and draw conclusions as to what is effective practice). It also provided space to examine issues, concerns and questions related to the use of harm reduction tools.
Methods included small and large group discussions, presentations, workshops, guest inputs, world cafe and open space.
Participants came away much better informed of international approaches and more ‘upskilled’ with a clear direction of how they could use practice in their work setting and with clear ideas for introducing some of what they have learnt into their local practice.
I was supported by an admin team who took care of logistics but was sole facilitator for the programme acting as moderator when required to link sessions together as well as summarise findings.