‘Smashed’ alcohol awareness programme returns to Flintshire schools

The award-winning alcohol education theatre production ‘Smashed’ is returning to Flintshire this October as part of its biggest UK tour to date.

The programme, which tackles the issue of underage drinking through engaging live performances and interactive workshops, will visit five local secondary schools in the county.

Schools in Mold, Buckley, Hope, Hawarden, and Deeside are among the locations set to host the production.

Performances will take place at Alun School in Mold on the 9th and 16th of October, Castell Alun High School in Hope on the 14th, Ysgol Maes Garmon in Mold and Hawarden High School on the 15th, and Elfed High School in Buckley on the 16th.

‘Smashed’ has been a global initiative since 2005, supported by Diageo and produced by Collingwood Learning, with the aim of reducing underage drinking through interactive theatre.

The project uses a 25-minute performance, followed by a 35-minute workshop, to engage students in meaningful discussions about the consequences of alcohol misuse.

The programme, now in its 20th year, has reached over 580,000 students in Great Britain alone and 5.5 million students globally. In the 2023/24 school year, ‘Smashed’ visited more than 80,000 students across the UK, with 78% of students stating they were less likely to drink underage after attending a performance.

Nuno Teles, Managing Director of Diageo GB, said: “I am so proud that ‘Smashed’ has reached its twentieth year in Great Britain. This really is a testament to the incredible impact of the programme worldwide, consistently delivering a fantastic learning experience for young people.”

The programme is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, promoting health and well-being for adolescents. It is designed not only to educate but also to shift attitudes and behaviours surrounding underage drinking.

Chris Simes, Managing Director of Collingwood Learning, added: “We are excited to return to North Wales with Smashed Live in Autumn 2024. Despite the progress made in reducing underage drinking across Great Britain, it remains crucial to continue reinforcing our message.”

In addition to the live performances, ‘Smashed Online’ offers an interactive digital version for schools that the tour may not reach, providing even wider access to this vital educational resource.

For more information on the programme, visit smashedproject.org or for schools not on the tour, find out more about the online programme at Smashed Online.