#Never was funded by North Tyneside Council. They commissioned us to use participatory arts with a community research lens to gather young people’s insights into drugs and alcohol.
We worked with young people so they felt safe sharing their experiences with us anonymously.
We produced a report to the council which highlights the key findings from this innovative, sensitive project.
Diverse artists and producers, with lived experience, connected and collaborated with young people to:
- Examine drug misuse by young people in North Tyneside.
- Look at not only the reasons why young people may choose to misuse these substances, but the results and interventions that may follow this.
- Explore the messages that they might be receptive to (or not).
- Draw out and understand access to drugs (pipeline) and to treatment services.
We worked with youth organisations, schools, local police and intervention agencies across North Tyneside.
#Never explored the reasons young people drink alcohol and take drugs by exploring solutions that may support a reduction in these activities.
The project encouraged young people to understand the risks and impact drugs and alcohol misuse has on school attendance as well as getting under the skin of everyday challenges and issues that can contribute to the limited use of substances.
It sought to better understand what young people feel is needed to help improve their physical health and mental wellbeing.
This work will hopefully contribute to young people achieving better physical and mental health by identifying difficulties and exposing everyday and ongoing support needs as well as exploring the role of support from healthcare and other care professionals in young people’s lives.
