Students train to be peer educators

Around 20 Year 11 pupils from seven of the Royal Borough's secondary schools, (Altwood, Furze Platt, Newlands, Cox Green, Charters, Windsor Boys' and Windsor Girls') will be undertaking a four-day training course to teach them how to provide drug, alcohol and sexual health awareness sessions to their peers in Years 8 and 9.

The training starts on Monday 25 July and consists of three days of drugs and alcohol education, how to be a peer educator, what it involves and how to devise a workshop session to deliver in their school. There is an optional fourth day covering sexual health signposting and chlamydia testing facilitated by Caroline Andrews, Chlamydia Screening Co-ordinator.

During the autumn term, the peers will provide education sessions to pupils in Years 8 and 9 (dependent on the school system). These sessions could be in the form of a 'drop in' or as part of a Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) lesson. The peers lead the session with support from T2's young people's project worker who will help them deal with any difficult questions or classroom issues.

T2 is the borough's drug and alcohol treatment service offering advice, information and treatment for those with substance misuse issues and their family and friends.

Cllr Simon Dudley, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, said: "Young people often don't know where to get advice and many feel uncomfortable talking to their parents or teachers. The programme has been used successfully in the past - with positive feedback from young people and teachers. Previous experience of this peer approach has also included clear guidance on the need for confidentiality, and signposting for appropriate support.

"Being a peer drugs educator enables young people to take an active role in their school, gain a wealth of knowledge and be more confident."

Contact T2 on 01628 683260 or email T2@turning-point.co.uk

To contact the drug and alcohol action team, call 01628 796362 or email daat@rbwm.gov.uk

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