With the festive period approaching all of us are likely to be finding time for friends and family around social events and gatherings. Alcohol, for many of us, is a routine feature of these “get togethers” but it is likely, at some point, for us all to have seen a loved one affected by alcohol in a negative way and I expect many of us will be able to point to a few occasions where we have had a little too much. January is often an opportunity we take to reset after the Christmas indulgence has concluded! In 2018, recently retired Chief Superintendent, Maria Fox, found herself on a sticky wicket with regards to her relationship with alcohol and following her own journey to a better place, and subsequently becoming a coach, she, supported by other coaches, has developed an initiative based on This Naked Mind’s 30 day alcohol experiment which she has hosted for policing and other bluelight services for the last 2 years. It has been a game changer for so many from a health and wellbeing perspective and participation grew from 150 in year 1 to over 700 in year 2 with retired colleagues also participating. The “experiment” approach makes a break from the booze a more informed and supported one. More will follow on this initiative in 2025 but you can read all about it and find out how to participate in the Oscar Kilo blog https://www.oscarkilo.org.uk/news/bluelight-live-alcohol-experiment-2025
Notably, the pilot “live” alcohol experiment won a runner up award at the Oscar Kilo awards’ ceremony in 2023. https://www.oscarkilo.org.uk/resources/oscar-kilo-awards/winners-2023
You can also watch some of the testimonials from 2023 on this YouTube link: CPBO 4 Video Ads V2 – Retirement