Kids and vaping: a new challenge faced by Hope UK
A huge number of children and young people are taking up vaping – not because they want to quit smoking but because they see it as cool and trendy.
So says Mary Deller, of drug education charity Hope UK, in the first of a special series of podcasts featuring CRE exhibitors. The organisation works with Year Six children, to help them in the transition to secondary school.
‘We are facing a whole host of issues that weren’t there in my youth,’ explains Mary. ‘At every school we are asked to talk to their young people about vaping. If you ask children who were vapes invented for, they’ll say teenagers or adults. But when you explain that vaping was invented for smokers who want to quit smoking, the penny drops.’
The Christian faith is fundamental to what Hope UK do.
‘It’s part of the legacy and the history of who we are as an organisation and what motivates us as individuals, both staff and volunteers, because we are all practising Christians,’ explains Mary. ‘We often quote John 10:10, where Jesus talks about giving us life in all its fullness, whereas the thief comes to kill and destroy. We make that analogy with drugs.’
The organisation is currently looking to recruit volunteers from churches.
‘It is a big commitment, but you get very good training, accredited by the Open College Network,’ says Mary, ‘so if you have a passion for this work and feel called, then I’d definitely encourage you to get in touch with us.’
See the whole podcast with Mary Deller of Hope UK.
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