What is your policy on smoking and drinking?

Smoking and Drinking are discouraged at both Queen Charlotte's Wood and The Clogwyn Centre when young people are present. If you are planing an event at any of our venues where alcohol may be consumed you must agree this with the bookings manager in advance of your event.

Smoking and Vaping

In Scouting, we understand that our adult leaders and members have the right to smoke and we recognise that people have a choice. However we ask that smokers/vapers do not do this in the presence of young people. Under no circumstances should anyone smoke or vape indoors. At both our activity centres, we ask that adults who wish to smoke/vape do so in the carpark. Any waste from smoking e.g. cigarette butts must be disposed of responsibly by ensuring they are fully extinguished. Littering is not tolerated.

Alcohol consumption

Adults must not consume alcohol when they're directly responsible for young people. They mustn't permit young people, aged under 18 years, to consume alcohol on our premises. Due to the nature of the topology at Queen Charlotte's Wood we suggest that drinking is not a sensible activity on the site as it could easily result in slips, trips and falls.

• Under 18s musn't consume alcohol under any circumstances.
• At any one time there should be the correct ratio of responsible adults who musn't consume alcohol, a minimum of two people, and risk assessments in place depending on the size and nature of the event.
• In general, adults should not consume alcohol in the presence of under-18's. It's accepted though that this might occur in certain circumstances, such as at fundraising and social events. This should be addressed by the risk assessment.
• If adults are to consume alcohol, this should be in an area separate from all young people on site. There should be a clearly defined adult only area to which young people don't have access when practicable. It's accepted this may not always be possible, such as at certain fundraising and social events.  
• Adults who do consume alcohol should be mindful of the need to follow the Yellow Card ('Young People First') at all times, even if they're not directly responsible for young people.
• Consideration should be given to the effects alcohol can have and how it may affect an individual’s ability to fulfil their Scouts duties. This should form part of the risk assessment. For example, if someone drinks excessively in an evening, they may be ineffective in performing duties the following morning.
• Consideration should also be given to running alcohol-free events and to the cultural and religious needs of all those taking part.
• Any member of the Scout Network or a Scout Active Support Unit should be expected to follow the same guidance as for adult leaders.
• All young people and adults should be aware of the standards of behaviour expected of them. Best practice is to draw up codes of conduct in advance of events.
• Young people and adults should be helped to understand the issues associated with alcohol and how to access information and advice to make informed

Substance use and misuse

Illegal substances are not permitted on our premises and anyone found to have any drugs on their possession drugs whether they are using them or not will be asked to leave to the site immediately.