Press Release

Recognition for Chance UK’s prevention work

12 October 2006

Chance UK, Islington based Children’s mentoring charity, has been awarded a runner up prize in the community category at this year’s Mentor UK Alcohol Misuse Prevention Awards.  The award recognises the impact that early intervention mentoring can have on children at risk of misusing alcohol.

“It is fantastic that there is a now a wider recognition of work that helps to prevent the misuse of alcohol,” says Chance UK CEO Gracia McGrath.  “Our mentoring programme helps children to build their resilience and their self confidence and self esteem so that they are able to make informed and sensible decisions for themselves about the use of alcohol.  The children that we work with are at high risk of developing risky behaviour and so it is vital that we help them to build their own inner resources.”

These new awards, organised by Mentor UK - the national drugs prevention charity for young people - are designed to reward those working with primary school age children to prevent alcohol misuse. It is intended to recognise some of the vital work being carried out across the country to equip young people with support and information about alcohol abuse, and prevent binge drinking before it starts.

Alongside this most recent award, Chance UK has also been short listed in the “Preventative work award” category of the Children and Young People’s Services Awards.  These awards are aimed at recognising and celebrating the best that is being achieved throughout the UK.  They are a chance for to get the hard work, innovation and dedication of organisations recognised by colleagues,  as well as a way to communicate some of the learning and best practice from projects at the forefront of developing new ways of working.  The winners will be announced at an event on 28th November,

Sarah Hall-Craggs, Programme Manager of the Islington Children’s Fund, nominated Chance UK for this award.  “Having worked with Chance UK for the past few years I have always been impressed at the impact their programme has had on children and families.  As a preventative programme they help children with behavioural difficulties to change their own behaviour to build a positive future.”