Alcohol Impact 

There is often a perception that students drink heavily all the time, but the real picture is far more varied and nuanced than that.

A survey done in 2018 showed that at UEA, 73% of students do not think you need to get drunk to have a good night out and around 1/3 of students drink less than once a week. There's also a general agreement among students that drinking too much can ruin a night out, with 72% of students saying that they don't enjoy socialising with people who get too drunk and ruin the night. 1/3 of students surveyed also took measures to avoid getting too drunk; alternating drinks with water, avoiding shots, turning down drinks from friends and avoiding drinking too much at pre-drinks.

These statistics demonstrate that a good proportion of students are aware of and responsible with their drinking habits, and we want to work to make sure that we create an environment that is not about stopping students drinking, but is focused on creating an environment that's open to everyone. Where no one feels pressured into drinking more than they're comfortable with and everyone can have a good, safe night out.

At the SU, we have worked hard to make Welcome Week less focused on alcohol based activities and in 2019 we introduced the Daytime Wristband for Welcome Week, with activities like a roller disco, a trip to the Gravity trampoline park, and a Norwich city bus tour and we continued with this range of alcohol free activities and events year-round under the ‘A Night to Remember’ campaign.

Our ‘A Night to Remember’ Campaign is about making your university experience as inclusive and accessible as possible. We want to create a positive culture of responsible drinking on and off-campus, change attitudes towards alcohol, and continue to provide a safe community for all students. ‘A Night to Remember’ will help you to keep on socialising, having fun, and meeting new people, while remembering it in the morning!

As part of the campaign, we encourage students to do activities and socials that don’t necessarily focus on alcohol. You don’t need to be teetotallers, it’s just that the main focus of the social isn’t on drinking. You could go bowling, gaming, or head to the theatre instead.

For those times when you are out in one of our SU venues, look out for the Alcohol Impact Crew in their bright orange tops. They are there to help you if you need it and run a safe space in the Hive, whether you need help or just want a chat. On club nights you can call them on 07754 975636 and they will come and help.

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