Wirral Youth Workers Honoured with National Innovation Award for Alcohol Prevention Efforts
Two dedicated youth workers from Wallasey Detached Youth Services in the Wirral have been celebrated with the prestigious Community Alcohol Partnerships Innovation Award. This recognition highlights their exceptional and creative contributions to supporting young people in Liscard, focusing on reducing underage alcohol consumption and its associated harms.
What Are Community Alcohol Partnerships?
Community Alcohol Partnerships, or CAPs, are collaborative initiatives that unite local police, councils, schools, retailers, and community groups. Their primary objective is to decrease underage drinking, thereby improving health and well-being while strengthening the broader community fabric.
Innovative Programme Led by Katrina Maxwell and Lydia Parsons
Katrina Maxwell and Lydia Parsons, key figures in the Liscard CAP, have pioneered an innovative programme centred on introducing young people to Natural Highs. This approach promotes positive activities and experiences as alternatives to alcohol and substance use, simultaneously bolstering mental well-being and resilience.
With support from CAP and Asda, one of its funders, outreach sessions were conducted directly in spaces where young people congregate, such as Central Park during summer 2025. This strategy ensured that support reached those least likely to access traditional services, engaging dozens of youths through interactive sessions that blended education with enjoyable activities.
Creative Methods to Foster Dialogue and Safety
The team employed creative techniques to initiate conversations about alcohol and substance use. Popular activities included a Drug Ball quiz to debunk myths, alcohol awareness games comparing drink strengths, and demonstrations using beer goggles to illustrate how alcohol impairs judgement and escalates risks. Additionally, practical safety advice, including emergency response and recovery position training, was provided to empower participants.
Expanding Horizons with Bushcraft Sessions
Further innovation involved bushcraft sessions at Bidston Hill, delivered in partnership with Grow Wellbeing. Participants learned fire-lighting skills, enjoyed outdoor cooking, and engaged in social activities around a campfire, with some exploring local foraging. For many, this marked their first positive outdoor experience away from urban pressures, fostering a sense of adventure and connection to nature.
Consistent Outreach Through Mobile Youth Provision
The detached youth team regularly utilises the Kontactabus mobile youth provision, offering safe spaces and enabling youth workers to build trusted relationships with young people over time. This consistent presence allows for ongoing discussions about alcohol harms, mental health, and safer choices, while presenting alternatives to substance use.
Award Ceremony and Recognition
The Liscard CAP team received their award at a ceremony held in the House of Commons on 2nd March 2026. Commenting on the achievement, CAP Director Kate Winstanley praised the team's efforts, stating, "Katrina and Lydia and the Liscard CAP team have shown how creative, youth-led outreach can transform conversations around alcohol and substance use. By meeting young people where they are and offering exciting alternatives through activities that build confidence and wellbeing, they are making a real difference in a community facing significant challenges. Their work is a brilliant example of innovation in action and thoroughly deserving of this year’s Innovation Award."
