A new project is designed to improve awareness of alcohol related harm, reduce stigma, and increase access to information and support among the Punjabi community.
Think Before You Drink – Punjabi Voices has been commissioned by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health team and was launched at an event last week attended by councillors and local MP Warinder Juss which explored how alcohol related harms affects the Punjabi community, the barriers people face in accessing support, and how organisations can work together to reduce stigma and encourage healthier conversations.
Think Before You Drink – Punjabi Voices project will work with the community to co-develop an awareness campaign that is culturally relevant, inclusive, and informed by local experiences.
It aims to raise awareness of alcohol related harm and its wider impact, promote healthier lifestyle choices and wellbeing, reduce stigma surrounding alcohol use and mental health, and encourage people to seek information and support at an earlier stage.
It will also seek to improve awareness of, and access to, local support services, strengthen partnerships between communities and health services, train Community Health Champions within faith and community settings, and develop resources that are culturally relevant and informed by the experiences of the Punjabi community.
The organisation Soulbrite has been commissioned by the council to develop the campaign, which will also include awareness videos, social media content, posters, resources, and QR codes linking people directly to local information and support services.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “Think Before You Drink – Punjabi Voices represents an important opportunity to work alongside our city’s Punjabi community to tackle stigma, improve awareness of alcohol related harm and ensure people can access the support they need in a way that is culturally relevant and accessible.
“We are looking to build on the success of previous community health initiatives, which have seen local drug and alcohol services work alongside local faith settings and community organisations to deliver Fibro-Scan liver health checks in trusted community venues.
“These events showed that when health services are delivered in familiar and trusted settings, people are often more comfortable engaging in conversations about their health and wellbeing.
“Importantly, this new project will be shaped by the voices of the community, helping to create open conversations, challenge stigma and ensure that support is accessible, inclusive and relevant.”