A ground-breaking Exeter scheme aimed at making nights out safer for young adults has won national recognition after judges praised its work tackling alcohol harm among 18 to 25-year-olds.
Exeter Community Alcohol Partnership has won a national Reaching 18–25s Award for its work supporting young adults and improving safety across the city’s evening and night-time economy.
Community Alcohol Partnerships are community-led schemes bringing together police, councils, schools, retailers and community groups to reduce underage drinking and related harm, while improving health, wellbeing and public safety.
Exeter CAP is the first partnership in the South West to focus specifically on the 18 to 25 age group. The scheme was developed in response to the different risks and pressures faced by young adults, rather than by adapting existing under-18 prevention programmes.
Partners behind the project consulted hundreds of young people to better understand the challenges they face while studying and socialising in the city. Concerns about safety on nights out emerged as a key issue.
In response, the partnership introduced extra taxi marshals to help people get home safely and rolled out anti-spiking training for security staff. The partnership has also been awarded Purple Flag status, recognising standards in managing the evening and night-time economy.
Exeter CAP has also promoted alcohol-free social options, including an event featuring music, craft activities and a silent disco. Organisers said the event proved popular, with more alcohol-free nights planned during higher-risk periods such as January.
The partnership’s work is already attracting interest elsewhere, with areas including Torquay exploring whether a similar model could be introduced locally.
A spokesperson for Exeter CAP said: “Exeter is a youthful, student-friendly city, welcoming tens of thousands of young people who attend our Russell Group University and outstanding Exeter College.
“Their presence brings energy and vibrancy to the city centre, and it is incumbent on all of us as city partners to ensure they can enjoy safe, positive nights out.
“This award reflects the strength of that shared commitment, and I am proud of the collaborative work taking place to support and protect our young people.”
Exeter MP Steve Race said: “As a busy University city with a growing and dynamic economy, Exeter is at the centre of the region’s nighttime economy attracting many people every day to our bars, clubs and cultural venues.
“That means lots of young people, and so Exeter CAP’s work to design a new model of service tailored specifically to the 18-25 age group is very welcome.
“The decision to prioritise safety reflects the concerns I hear from young people across the city.
“This award is a testament to the hard work and innovation of the Exeter CAP team, and along with our recent Purple Flag status, is more important recognition of the work being done in Exeter to make sure everyone can enjoy a safe night out.”
Commenting on the award, CAP director Kate Winstanley said: “Exeter CAP has shown real leadership in recognising that young adults need a different approach and then building a partnership that listens to them and acts on what they say.
“By improving safety in the evening economy while also creating attractive alcohol-free social options, the partnership is helping young people enjoy their city more safely.
“Their work sets an excellent example for other areas and makes them very worthy winners of the Reaching 18–25s Award.”
For more information, visit www.communityalcoholpartnerships.co.uk.
