Asda Gosforth and Drinkaware, the UK’s leading alcohol education charity, worked together on Friday 12th January to provide free information and advice on alcohol to the local community.  

The event, which took place at the store, gave customers the opportunity to access friendly advice and ask questions.

Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North, also attended the event in a show of support for the charity.

The 2018 partnership builds on a successful January 2017 pilot which saw Drinkaware engage with more than 2,000 Asda customers. This year saw a particular focus on women, based on Food Standards Agency research which showed that 68% of women said they are responsible for most or all of the household shopping.

Participants were encouraged to complete a quick alcohol assessment using Drinkaware scratch cards and were able to take home a free alcohol unit measuring cup and calorie wheel.

Specific help for parents on how to speak to their kids about alcohol and how to answer the difficult questions that children can ask was also provided.

A long-standing partner of Asda, Drinkaware provides consumers with honest information, advice and tips to help them make informed decisions about alcohol.

Chris Lowe, Senior Director for Corporate Affairs at Asda, said: ‘We are pleased to have worked with Drinkaware again this year, as part of our role as a responsible retailer, helping them engage directly with our customers.  
 
‘Customer insight shows that more people think about their health in January, and look for ways to cut back on their alcohol consumption after the festive period, so this opportunity to receive accessible, friendly advice and support came at just the right time.’

Catherine McKinnell MP said: ‘This time of year sees many people rethinking their lifestyles, and today’s event at Asda Gosforth provided local shoppers with really useful information about drinking responsibly – as well as simple but very handy tools to help them do this, such as the unit measuring cup.  I’m pleased to have been able to support to the work of Asda and Drinkaware on this issue.’  

Drinkaware Chief Executive Elaine Hindal said: ‘Drinkaware is delighted to have partnered with ASDA on this important campaign which will help us to directly reach customers.  
 
‘With one in five people setting themselves a New Year’s resolution to lead a healthier lifestyle, which may include cutting back on alcohol, Drinkaware’s accessible and friendly advice will help people to make positive choices that will impact on their health and well -being, not just in January but throughout 2018 and beyond.’