Peer Support in Action
Peer Support as a Drug
Prevention Intervention:
SPLAT was set up in the summer of 1996 by Julia Williams, Ouse Valley Youth Worker, and a group of Sharnbrook Year 11 students. It was felt that a more peer-led approach to drug education was needed, in order to avoid the 'switch off' syndrome when an adult talks to young people.
The objectives of the group were both preventive and offering support for people experiencing difficulties. Prevention mainly took the form of presentations, in which a small piece of drama was performed by members of SPLAT to the whole year group, showing scenes which the audience may find themselves in, and posing a
question for later discussion. These discussions, complemented by games, were conducted in small groups of about 8-12 students, each led by a SPLAT member. Feed-back on these sessions underlines that they are well received, with students typically commenting that it was easier to relate to SPLAT members due to their age.
A further development in terms of offering support to people with drug related difficulties was to establish a helpline manned by SPLAT volunteers. Their experience with this was less successful, as impracticalities were just too great, and in effect they conceded that there was not enough demand for this facility. No calls were received during the trial period; a valuable learning experience, and a point to remember for anyone who toyed with the idea of introducing a helpline.
As part of their further development, SPLAT members have taking further training with Relate and The Samaritans. Recently, the school's anti-bullying initiative has come under the umbrella of SPLAT.
This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards,but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.