Young People's Workshops
At CADAS we believe that prevention is key when it comes to tackling harmful addiction. That's why our Young People's Team work hard delivering our education workshops to schools and groups all over Cumbria.
CADAS Young People's Worker, Jen explains the importance of the work we do and the impact it has:
Importance of Working with Young People
Working with young people is essential because adolescence is a formative stage of life in which behaviours, attitudes, and coping mechanisms are developed. During this period, young people are particularly receptive to guidance, role models, and education that can positively influence their long‑term health and wellbeing. Early intervention helps reduce future harm by addressing issues before they become entrenched patterns in adulthood.
Young people today face complex pressures, including academic expectations, social media influence, peer pressure, mental health challenges, and increasing exposure to substances and addictive behaviours. By working directly with them, professionals can provide accurate information, challenge myths, build resilience, and empower young people to make informed, responsible choices. This approach promotes autonomy while reinforcing protective factors such as self‑esteem, critical thinking, and the ability to seek support when needed.
Importantly, engaging with young people also creates safer communities. Preventing substance misuse and risky behaviours at an early stage reduces long‑term social, health, and economic costs, while helping young people transition into healthy, productive adulthood.
Impact of School Addiction Awareness Workshops
School-based addiction awareness workshops play a crucial role in prevention and early education. Schools provide a structured and inclusive environment, allowing workshops to reach young people before harmful behaviours develop. These workshops are most effective when they are interactive, age‑appropriate, and grounded in real‑life scenarios.
Overall Value
Working with young people through school addiction awareness workshops is a proactive, preventative approach with lasting impact. It equips young people with knowledge, life skills, and confidence at a critical point in their development, reducing long‑term harm and supporting healthier futures.
Jen M - Young People's Worker
What's covered?
Drugs & alcohol:
Learning outcomes include what addiction is, categories of drugs, risks and consequences, units of alcohol, the law and where to seek support. We use a variety of resources to make the session fun and engaging - think quizzes, beer goggles and group activities!
Vaping:
Learning outcomes include understanding addiction, types of addiction, smoking and vaping facts and harms, peer pressure and where to seek support. We use a variety of group activities and resources to make this session fun and engaging!
We are also running a fantastic new Stop the Start campaign across Cumberland for the 25-26 academic year. As part of this project, educational workshops will be delivered in school and youth group settings for young people aged 11-17 years. We will also be offering intervention sessions which will provide personalised 1-1 support for young people who want to quit smoking or vaping (or both). Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) will also be available where appropriate. If your school or group is based in Cumberland and you are interested in this option - please select 'vaping' from the form below and we will be in touch!
Gambling:
Learning outcomes include understanding addiction, types of gambling, gambling harms, signs of gambling addiction, keeping safe, costs, risks and consequences and where to seek support. We use a variety of resources to make the session fun and engaging - think bingo, games and group activities!
If you would like to see our workshops delivered at your school or group
We look forward to hearing from you!