Plymouth Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) has been awarded a Spotlight Award by Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) at its annual awards ceremony held in the Houses of Parliament on April 02, 2025.  

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This recognition celebrates the CAP's outstanding dedication and innovative approach to reducing alcohol-related harm among young people in Plymouth.

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CAP is a national organisation that sets up and supports local partnerships that aim to reduce alcohol harm in children and young people, improve their health and well-being and enhance their communities.

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Plymouth CAP was commended for its highly community-centred approach that delivers early intervention and education, fostering sustainable cultural change around alcohol in young communities.  

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Standout initiatives that contributed to this award include:

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• "Make and Take" Cooking Sessions: These workshops offered young people the opportunity to gain valuable life skills and learn about healthy choices, subtly shifting focus away from harmful behaviours like early alcohol use.

• The Safe Bus: Positioned to engage young people at a formative stage, the Safe Bus provides a safe and educational space, fostering trust and enabling meaningful conversations about alcohol misuse.

• Tailored community programmes: Based on feedback from young people, Plymouth CAP has introduced targeted activities such as exercise classes in Transit Way, ensuring programmes align with the needs and schedules of local children and young people.

• Youth Committee: This empowering body gives young people a leadership role, allowing them to influence CAP’s activities and direction, giving them a sense of ownership and responsibility.

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The CAP’s commitment to multiagency collaboration has been crucial to its success. Partners like Tesco and Plymouth Community Homes have played significant roles, with one partner praising the CAP as "one of the most positive community projects I have ever experienced."

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Luke Pollard MP, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport commented: "It’s fantastic that Plymouth Community Alcohol Partnership are being recognised for their excellent work helping our young people make safer and healthier choices around alcohol.

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"Plymouth CAP’s community led approach has a meaningful, long-term impact on our young people.  

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"A massive congratulations to the hardworking team at Plymouth CAP for winning the Spotlight Award. It is exceptionally well deserved."

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Mark Williams, Community Safety Sergeant, Plymouth Police commented: “We’re so grateful to receive this award – it’s fantastic to see that this work is being recognised for the positive impact we’ve had on the community together as a multi-agency.

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Our aim is to keep young people safe and encourage safe decisions by highlighting the issues alcohol can cause. We have been working really hard to show how local organisations can work together to drive real positive change within communities and replace disruptive and unhealthy behaviours with a range of positive, constructive and enjoyable activities which has drawn huge number of young people who are now taking a lead in this themselves.”

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The Plymouth CAP has reached over almost 700 young people through various initiatives, including cooking sessions, community events, and school programmes.  

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“Plymouth CAP's innovative and community-centred approach has made a significant difference in the lives of young people," said Kate Winstanley, Director of CAP. "Their dedication to early intervention and sustainable cultural change is truly commendable."

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For media information, please contact: Samantha Patel, Communications Manager - sam@communityalcoholpartnerships.co.uk

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