Students took part in a “oot and aboot community cook out” at Inverkeithing High School - and talked about some important messages at the same time.

The event saw young people have fun outside while a barbecue, hot drinks, and smores were on offer.

Positive discussions about alcohol and drugs were had, with representatives of Clued Up and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service both attended the event.

Stacy Ferns, family support worker at Inverkeithing High School, said: “The aim of the event was to promote positive relationships with school and partner agencies.  We wanted the pupils to have a fun night and to show them they could make more positive choices when out with friends. 

“Talking and interacting with agencies, such as Clued-Up, Includem and safer communities, in this fun way enabled them to get the message to them regarding alcohol and drug misuse in the community.  Another aim was for the pupils to see that they can approach the police and fire services and to change their negative perspective towards them.”

Clued Up is a charity which provides substance support and information for young people aged under 25 in Fife. They offer harm reduction support and advice to young people.

Laura Anderson, project worker for West Fife at Clued Up, said: “It was just to show the young people what services are available as well, and that we all work together and we had a BBQ and some smores, and some information and a chat, and the feedback from the young people was that it did reduce their alcohol intake that evening.”

Stacy added: “The evening was a huge success, with approximately 50 to 60 pupils arriving throughout the night.  We put on a barbecue and let them make smores.  They had the opportunity to play football at the astro or just chat to us and the rest of the group.  The police attended in their adapted van and had the kids in and gave them tea and coffee. This went down a storm.  

“Afterwards when speaking to some pupils, they also said they had a great time and it allowed them to have fun.  They are all asking when the next one will be.”