The Cumberland Community Alcohol Partnership has been named one of the best in the country.
The council-led partnership is the joint winner of the CAP of the Year award from the national Community Alcohol Partnerships body.
The accolade recognises the innovative work being done with young people to reduce the harm done by alcohol.
The CAP addresses underage drinking and vaping, and includes Cumberland Council (including Licensing and Trading Standards); Cumbria Constabulary; Cumbria Addictions, Advice and Solutions (CADAS); and local youth organisations.
Cllr Justin McDermott, Cumberland Council's Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Communities, said: “We are delighted to have been given this accolade, and all the CAP partners should be incredibly proud of what they are doing, together, for the communities of Cumberland.
"Alcohol can have devastating effects both on individuals and society, and when it is misused by young people, those effects can reach far into the future. Projects such as Spark, which empower youngsters to become resilient, independent role models, are making a real difference."
The Cumberland CAP is delivering multiple projects with young people, including using sports club mascots to promote and distribute anti-spiking devices to partygoers.
A major educational programme, Spark, is also getting underway. The package has been produced with input from school pupils and can be delivered in schools or sports clubs. It uses local sports professionals as role models to share healthy advice.
The CAP's achievements are made all the more impressive by the fact that it has only been in existence for a year.
Emma Thompson, Senior Community Safety and Resilience Manager at Cumberland Council, and Chair of the Cumberland Community Alcohol Partnership, said: "This award is testament to truly dedicated partnership working. Partners have supported our CAP with innovative ideas, resources and community activities to achieve these results.
"A special thank you goes to the 2,600 young people who completed our survey, and the amazing group of Young Leaders from St Joseph's School in Workington, who have supported us with their creativity and passion to make change."
Kate Winstanley, Director of Community Alcohol Partnerships, added: “Cumberland's contribution exemplifies the very spirit of CAP. This recognition is testament to its outstanding commitment and dedication, and the incredible impact it has made in tackling underage drinking.
“It has demonstrated exceptional leadership, making a real difference and fostering a safer, stronger community.”
CAP members will receive the award at a ceremony in Westminster in early March.
The Cumberland CAP is one of 250 across Britain addressing underage drinking and vaping - Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) | Home
The partnership educates pupils about underage drinking and other issues - equipping them to make informed decisions around alcohol, vaping, and antisocial and criminal behaviour.