The Loop has introduced a new one day training programme for clubs, bars and festivals aimed at equipping venues and events with a deeper knowledge of the risks associated with recreational drugs use.

The course will cover related legal issues and ways of reducing drug related harms faced by people who use drugs in the night-time economy. This course has been awarded a Badge of Excellence by Open Awards.

‘Responding to Drug Use in The Night Time Economy’ has been developed in partnership with the Occupational Development and Training Team, Specialist Services Network, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Fiona Measham, Loop director said: “The staff who work in clubs and festivals are at the front line of the problems caused by excessive consumption of intoxicants, sometimes of unknown strength and composition. This course, in a new partnership between the Loop and the NHS, will train event staff to identify problems and help equip them to reduce harm whilst promoting health and wellbeing in the night time economy.”

Tony Wilkinson, team manager at GMMH’s SSN Occupational Development and Training Team said: “We are pleased to have developed this course in partnership with The Loop. We feel that the Loop’s experience, combined with our high standards of training delivery, will ensure that this course will be an invaluable resource for night time economy venues who wish to fully understand and respond to the risks taken by people who choose to use drugs as part of their leisure time.”

Nina Hinton, head of business and development at Open Awards said: “I am delighted that we have been able to approve this course through the Open Awards Badge of Excellence. This course meets the Standards of Excellence required by Open Awards to be approved for delivery and, I am sure, will be well received by the delegates attending. We were particularly impressed by the partnership approach to the development and delivery of this course, as this has ensured the quality is of the highest standard.”

The course is designed to be delivered to both venue staff groups and individual applicants.

https://wearetheloop.org/training/