Schools Liaison
Alcoholics Anonymous is concerned solely with the personal recovery and
continued sobriety of individual alcoholics who turn to the Fellowship
for help. Though we practice "attraction rather than promotion", AA
offers various services to the community, and one of these is the coordination of School Talks within the South-West
London region. These talks usually take place within the time allocated for PSHE lessons, but of course can be added
to the curriculum in any way the school sees fit.
For a number of years, we at Alcoholics Anonymous in the South West London region have been taking our talks about
alcoholism to schools. Over the years, we are happy to say that more and more schools take us up on our offer; even
better, the schools that ask us to come and speak then ask us year after year to return to speak to their new Year
9, Year 10, Year 11 or Sixth Form groups.
We offer schools that fall into our area an opportunity to receive information about AA for their students. A member
(or members) of AA can attend a session (or a number of sessions) to talk to the students about the illness of
alcoholism. Our aim is NOT to tell young people "not to drink". Our aim is simply to create
awareness of the illness and of the fact that there IS help available should a person attending our talk -
or someone they know - ever find themselves in a position where they need such help.
Our aim is to raise awareness
We also seek to highlight the dangers that develop at a young age
through regular and / or excessive drinking. The talk provides a
positive message, making students aware that help IS available to
anyone, at any time, should they develop a problem with alcohol or have
a desire to stop drinking. We also mention Al-Anon and Alateen, which
are similar fellowships offering help for those affected by another
person's alcoholism (e.g. a parent, spouse, partner, teenage child or
other family member).
Raising awareness
We seek to highlight the dangers that can develop at a young age
through regular and/or excessive drinking. The talk provides a
positive message, making students aware that help IS available to
anyone, at any time, should they develop a problem with alcohol or have
a desire to stop drinking. We also mention Al-Anon and Alateen, which
are similar fellowships offering help for those affected by another
person's alcoholism (e.g. a parent, spouse, partner, teenage child or
other family member).
Differing group sizes
Depending on the length of time you wish us to speak, the age of
the Year group and / or the number of students to whom we will be
speaking, we are able to send in a single speaker, two speakers or
groups of speakers.
Differing demographic
We try, where possible, to send speakers with whom students can more easily relate, such as younger members of
our Fellowship, female or male speakers etc.
Ordinary people
Our speakers are not trained professionals. They are ordinary members of the public who found themselves at a
point in their lives where they needed help, and found that help in the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.
No Charge
There is no charge for us coming to speak at your school.
If you think we could make a useful contribution to your PSHE sessions or if you would like to arrange for us to
come and speak with your students, please contact Lucy, our Schools Liaison Officer,
on
schools.londonsw@aamail.org
