Secondary school students across Cardiff are set to receive a crucial lesson on the risks of underage drinking, in an effort to reduce underage drinking and its associated harms among young people.
Smashed, an international educational theatre production by Collingwood Learning and supported by Diageo, will visit 15 schools in South Wales. From 18th – 27th September, this impactful initiative will use engaging interactive performances to educate students about the causes and consequences of underage drinking.
Now in its 20th year, ‘Smashed’ has delivered educational performances to students in 38 countries around the world. By delivering a combination of live theatre performances, interactive workshops and digital experiences, the project educates young people about the dangers of alcohol use. Combining drama with interactive workshops, Smashed uses professional actors to present a 25-minute performance followed by a 35-minute workshop where participants reflect on the themes and answer questions about the choices made by the characters.
This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by fostering a culture of health and well-being among adolescents, a critical demographic for instilling lifelong healthy habits. Smashed does not merely inform; it transforms attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol consumption among young people. In the 2023 – 2024 school year, 73 % of students in Great Britain said they were less likely to drink alcohol underage following the Smashed performance.
Smashed works in close collaboration with Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs), an organisation which brings together councils, police, retailers, schools, health providers, and community groups across the UK to reduce alcohol related harm among young people.
Wales is making progress in reducing levels of underage drinking, with previous research by the Welsh Government finding that 81% of 11–16-year-olds have either never drunk or rarely drink alcohol. However, there is still more to be done to drive down the rate of underage drinking across the country and educate young people on the risks associated with alcohol misuse.
For more information on the Smashed programme and its upcoming tour, please visit: https://www.smashedproject.org/
Schools not reached by the live tour also can take part in Smashed Online. To find out more, please visit: https://online.smashedproject.org/gb/
