In partnership with Gateshead Youth Inclusion Project and Leam Lane Youth Project, we held a celebration evening on the 15 th February, 2006 as part of Sexual Health Awareness Week. The evening was funded through Gateshead Teenage Pregnancy.

As part of the celebrations, young people attending had an opportunity to become contestants in a stage show version of the TV program “Blind Date”. The show had its own version of Cilla (played by: the lovely Andy Morley). The contestants were asked questions concerned with “risk taking behaviour and consequences of substance use”. All young people had access to the Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Bar.

Information and advice on all legal and illegal substances, as well as sexual health, was delivered by NECA young people’s Drug and Alcohol workers.

“We have invited 50 young people from Leam Lane and the surrounding estates. We are hoping to engage with young people in a fun way, to increase their understanding and knowledge regarding the consequences of taking risks under the influence.”

Lisa Wood -Young Peoples Project Manager, NECA

As a result of NECA Gateshead Young Womens' Project, the idea for a Spikey campaign began in October 2005.

The Evening Chronicle spearhead a campaign week commencing 28 November, for 4 weeks, raising awareness of drink spiking, and educating about safer drinking, whilst targeting young people who are likely to be more vulnerable.

Young Women’s Outreach Project to have their own launch, attended by dignitaries and agencies involved (eg Police, Drug Action teams etc), which the Chronicle cover. This is held at The Tulip Inn, Team Valley, Gateshead and will include a balloon launch.

Northumbria Police (Gateshead Command) have provided NECA with funds to purchase spikeys and posters, which will be given out on Tyneside Metro trains, in the interchanges, and in the clubs and pubs on Newcastle Quayside. All material produced will have Police logo, NECA logo, Nexus logo and Evening Chronicle logo. The Chronicle will also be shadowing the NECA workers to maximise the publicity.

The owners of bars and clubs within Newcastle and Gateshead (including Ultimate Leisure and Absolute Leisure) are very keen to be involved and have purchased spikeys to be given out with any bottle drink purchased. Posters will also be displayed to drive the message home. NECA workers will also have free access to the clubs and bars, and posters will also be displayed in the venues.

Nexus have agreed to sponsor our drink spiking event, which will run in conjunction with Metro Radio.The resulting 'on-platform' advertising in the Newcastle and Gateshead Metro stations will provide excellent publicity to drive the message home, and to educate and raise young people’s awareness. In addition, the under 18 clubbing event which is now held at Sam Jacks, Newcastle is a perfect venue and platform for this NECA initiative.

Free publicity given from Go Ahead Bus Company on their publication “Got to Go”. Circulation of 50,000. Will be on all buses around Newcastle and Gateshead, plus mailed out to 15,000 customers.

Support gained from Children’s and Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Manager for Newcastle, based in the Social Services Directorate of Newcastle City Council.

Although interest has been expressed from several other areas, it has been decided to limit our campaign to cover Gateshead and Newcastle. In this way, NECA can utilise the resources to maximum effect and not spread ourselves too thin.

The NECA Young People Workers will have set times to target metro users on their way into town, which will be publicised by the press – they will also wear distinctive sweatshirts with the strapline “KEEP A LID ON IT” and the Neca logo. Northumbria Police will be providing support to ensure the safety of our workers.

In addition, the supermarket chain ASDA have given us their backing, as has Steven Taylor of Newcastle United fame