Alcohol Action Ireland’s Silent Voices initiative is continuing to develop and on October 7 we held a workshop with its advisors and key stakeholders from a range of community and statutory bodies.

The event heard from three speakers:  Joy Barlow on the halting of intergenerational alcohol harm; Barnardos and their practical work with families and young people, and Ed Sipler, on developing evidence for interventions for young people affected by parental alcohol, drug and mental health problems.  Following these presentations, the group of about 30 participants broke into groups of four and considered a series of questions around the themes of education/schools; family and community support, and adult support.

The feedback garnered from this process will shape and influence the forthcoming Silent Voices manifesto, a set of clear and cogent ‘asks’ that the campaign will seek to advocate for.