Annual Mocktails Apprentice day

Mocktails Apprentice has been developed by Horsham Matters to get students thinking about alcohol safety. Now in its third year, the programme is being undertaken in 18 schools across Sussex this year.

Students are tasked with setting up a new ‘micro-business’ to create and market a new non-alcoholic cocktail (Mocktail). In teams, the students create the drink (with the help of a mixologist), cost and finance the product, brand and market it and finally present their drink (and their alcohol safety message) to a panel of expert judges.

The winning students (Ethan Bills, Harry Bradshaw, Marc Skett, Josh Baker, James Wilkinson and Benji Collins) will now go on to the inter-school final at South Lodge, to battle it out for the chance to have their drink sold in bars and restaurants across Horsham.

A number of VIP guests visited Tanbridge House School to see the event in action, including Natacha Skelton, who manages the Safer in Sussex Community Fund, Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner.

She commented: “It was great to be part of such an interactive event, whereby all the young people demonstrated their understanding of the numerous negative effects of irresponsible drinking. The positive energy and creativity enabled the students to create their own Mocktails whilst delivering strong messages about taking responsibility. The Safer in Sussex Community Fund provided funding to Mocktail Apprentice, as it directly addresses the Police & Crime Commissioner’s priorities in the Police & Crime Plan.”

Other VIPs in attendance included Gary Locker, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and Mark Trimmer, Operations Manager for the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership.

Gary said: “I was really impressed with the Mocktails Event at Tanbridge House School. The energy and enthusiasm was clear to see, and that was reflected in the high standard of presentations and products. It’s really positive to see so many young people engaged in Safety Events like this, and their understanding of the impact alcohol can have on their safety, especially on the roads.”

Mark added: “Sussex Safer Roads Partnership are delighted to continue to support this initiative which is an innovative way of engaging with young people not only to raise awareness about the effects of drinking alcohol in a road safety context but as a life choice and allow them to develop many other skills they can use in the future.”

Jules White, Headteacher at Tanbridge House School, said: “We have taken part in Mocktails Apprentice for the past three years and are delighted to see that it continues to engage young people and really get them thinking about alcohol safety.

In addition, the programme encourages creativity and innovation and gives students a great insight into the world of business. I know that the winning staff and students are looking forward to taking on the other schools at South Lodge next!”

Report and picture contributed by Tanbridge House School.