Alcohol Impact

Alcohol Impact is a culture change programme, supporting students' unions and universities in fostering productive, healthy and inclusive campuses. Since its launch in 2014, Alcohol Impact has supported 31 universities and students’ unions across the UK to create positive change across campuses. From alcohol awareness training for sports clubs to improving relationships with local residents, Alcohol Impact helps institutions to innovate their approach to tackling issues related to student alcohol use.

Join the programme
1

Students’ union and university join Alcohol Impact in partnership

SOS-UK can facilitate discussions between both parties

2

Host an introductory support session

with key members of staff from both the university and students’ union

3

Set up a steering group and work towards accreditation criteria

with a diverse blend of roles and remits, potentially with involvement by external stakeholders

4

Receive ongoing 1-1 support and resources

telephone and email support and resources for key dates of the year e.g. Alcohol Awareness Week

5

SOS-UK arranges one on-site support visit and two group support days per academic year

offering the chance to share ideas, good practice and discuss future interventions with other members of Alcohol Impact

6

SOS-UK train student auditors to conduct audits and interviews

completed on-site over 2 days

SOS-UK produces a written report and award presented

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“I think that Alcohol Impact is an excellent way to help universities and students’ union to address issues with alcohol and to provide support for those who need it.”

Royal Holloway Alcohol Impact student auditor

Communications as a student drug intervention

There are many student drug interventions that can be used, some are unique to the university and/or students' union, dependent on their students and the needs that they have, but many are effective and receive good student engagement and outcomes.

Working with external agencies

Find out about the external agencies that you could work with, what this might look like, the benefits of doing this and the challenges that may be encountered, in addition to detailing some examples.

Drug Awareness and Education

Discover the importance of drug awareness and education and how this can take place, with examples from universities and students' unions.

Alcohol Awareness Events

Promotion of alcohol and safety advice, along with campaigns and resources can amend negative attitudes about alcohol and encourage responsible consumption amongst students

Non-Alcohol-Focused Events

Non-alcohol-focused events are a valuable way for universities to be inclusive of those who do not drink alcohol.

University of East Anglia’s Good Night Out Campaign

University of East Anglia tackle sexual and physical harassment.

'Have a Word' at Durham University

An intervention to tackle irresponsible consumption and to improve student wellbeing

VIPres at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Students' Union

An initiative to reduce damage and noise disturbance in halls of residence as a result of pre-drinking.

'Never Have I Ever' at Durham Students' Union

A campaign to target student drinking safety and to help create an attitudinal shift among the student population

See more case studies
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We partner with you to:

Take a whole campus approach

Each of our programmes are based on partnership working, with students’ unions and universities working collaboratively to generate whole campus shifts in alcohol culture.

Break down harm reduction into key actions

Our programmes are composed of 8 themes. Within each of the themes, the accreditation sets out a number of key actions that universities and students' unions can follow to achieve a whole-university approach.

Improve your delivery

The accreditation schemes bring together universities and students' unions from across the UK offering peer to peer support and the sharing of good practice.

Achieve a nationally recognised award

Following a successful audit, partnerships will be awarded their accreditation, recognising their excellent practice and achievements.

We're flexible

Each of our programmes are based on partnership working, with students’ unions and universities working collaboratively to generate whole campus shifts in alcohol and drug cultures.

Get in touch

Invest in a safer university for your students

Working towards accreditation fee, supported for one year

£6,000 +VAT

Post accreditation membership for one year

£4,900 +VAT

Working towards accreditation fee, supported for two years

£10,800 +VAT

Post accreditation membership for two years

£8,820 +VAT
  • Tailored 1-1 remote support including telephone and email support.
  • An online toolkit providing resources and highlighting areas of good practice.
  • Resources for key dates of the year e.g. Alcohol Awareness Week.
  • One on-site support visit each academic year. This can include brainstorming sessions, staff/student training, mapping out of criteria, team meetings, or a pre-audit.
  • Two group support days per academic year, offering the chance to share ideas, good practice and discuss intervention ideas with other members of Alcohol Impact.
  • SOS-UK hosts an annual Student Drug and Alcohol survey which can be promoted to your students to enable you to build a strong evidence base of your students’ attitudes, behaviours and experiences with alcohol and drug use.
  • You will be provided with a chart report for each question, as well as the raw data so you can carry out any further analysis as you wish.
  • Support to recruit student Alcohol Impact auditors.
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Let’s transform your university together, shaping healthier lifestyles, safer campuses and stronger local communities.

Contact us to join