Plan your night in advance and know your limits...

At university, it’s quite likely that you will have the opportunity to go to parties, bars or clubs – to meet new people and make new friends. For some, drinking can be an integral part of the university experience. However, it’s important to remember, whether you are out on campus, in your local area or at home, that you need to take responsibility for the safety of yourself and respect those around you.

Keep yourself safe

• Avoid drinks that you have not seen being poured and never leave a drink unattended.
• If you suddenly feel unusually drunk, ask a trusted friend to take you home and seek medical help.
• Never leave bags and phones unattended and always keep an eye on your belongings.
• Be sensible when drinking alcohol. Don’t let it affect your ability to take care of yourself. Drink water between each alcoholic drink – this will help you to avoid that dreaded hangover, too!
• Keep to well-lit areas when walking between pubs and clubs.
• Don’t go home with complete strangers. Stay with your friends when you’re out and make sure you all go home together.
• Use a reputable taxi firm to get home and travel with friends. Your Students’ Union can provide you with the names and numbers of trusted local firms. If you walk home, do so in a group and not on your own.
• The Safe Places scheme is a network of organisations offering a safe space to anyone feeling intimidated, scared or at risk, day or night.
• It's important to act responsibly near water especially after drinking alcohol. The RLSS has a dedicated Don’t Drink and Drown campaign to try and reduce the high number of university students who drown after drinking.

Ask for Angela

Many bars and pubs operate using the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign. If you or your friends feel you are in an unsafe situation, you can approach a member of staff and ask to speak to Angela. This will alert staff members to help you discreetly get out of the situation you are in. Watch this video to see how it works. 

Keep others safe

• Drink Aware provide advice about what to do and what not to do if you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning. 
• If you see something that appears wrong, call the police or venue security for support. 
• Respect the decisions of those who choose not to drink and do not put pressure on them to do so.
• Understand and educate your friends on the importance of consent and how alcohol can affect this. 

Get home safe

If you’re going on a night out and plan to drink alcohol, make sure you have access to a reputable taxi company or public transport.

If you plan to drive, the advice from the police is clear: avoid alcohol altogether. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your ability to drive and there is no reliable way to drink and stay within the limit.

Support

The Wellbeing Service provide wellbeing support and can connect you to other services that provide specific support internally and externally.

The Self Help Resources webpage provides details for organisations that can provide advice and support if you, or someone you know, is affected by substance misuse.

A mate doesn't let a mate drink and drive

Driving under the influence of alcohol can result in not only the loss of your driving license, fines or imprisonment but could be fatal. In 2019, 1,760 people between the ages of 16-24 were killed or seriously injured in drink driving accidents in the UK. Remember – a mate doesn’t let a mate drink drive.