During the excellent Purley Festival this September, an encounter with a representative from the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation left me profoundly inspired, prompting a deeper exploration into the impactful work of this Purley-based charity.
In a meeting on Friday, Cllr Samir Dwesar – one of Purley’s councillors and I met with the charity's founder and Head of Education and Engagement to gain comprehensive insights into their nationwide influence and commitment to fostering safe choices regarding drugs and alcohol among young people.
The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation stands as a beacon in the realm of drug and alcohol education. Its primary mission revolves around supporting youths in making informed decisions and minimizing harm by enhancing their awareness of the effects and risks associated with substance use. Furthermore, the foundation plays a crucial role in nurturing life skills and resilience. Established in January 2014 by Tim and Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, the foundation emerged as a response to the tragic loss of their 16-year-old son, Daniel, to ecstasy.
Despite the devastating circumstances that led to its inception, the charity is unwavering in its dedication to delivering a comprehensive, evidence-based drug and alcohol education program. This program caters to young people, parents, and teachers, drawing from practices proven to be highly effective by research. In the fiscal year 2021-22 alone, the foundation made a remarkable impact, reaching over 46,000 young individuals through an array of initiatives, including workshops, theatre tours, awareness campaigns, and a youth ambassador program.
Given the easy accessibility of drugs for today's youth, the foundation's educational initiatives and expertise assume heightened significance. Cllr Dwesar and I remain committed to exploring avenues through which this invaluable charity can continue to support and empower the young people of Croydon.
I would urge you to visit the Foundation’s website to explore its resources. If you are at all worried or concerned about the young people in your life, consider purchasing one of the books written by Fiona, full of practical advice and tips for teenagers and their parents.
