Ripon Grammar school students swill present their novel ideas to help promote healthy teenage lifestyle choices at the Houses of Parliament.
Their inspirational designs for fun pop art logos on recycled T-shirts, hoodies, trainers and caps have so impressed the Community Alcohol Project (CAP) that they have been asked to show them to MPs.
CAP, which works to help reduce the harm caused by alcohol abuse among young people, has awarded the students a £2,500 grant towards buying a textile design equipment for their streetwear collection project and providing £100 prizes for winning designs.
The students will appear in front of MPs at a CAP awards ceremony on March 2 at the Terrace Pavilion in the House of Commons, with their final collection featuring at the school’s charity Autumn Fashion Show, showcasing upcycled fashion, in aid of St Michael’s Hospice in Harrogate.
Aspiring aerospace engineer Evelyn Butterfield said:
The aim of our streetwear project is to get across the message that an alcohol-free childhood is the way to go.
We are hoping it will raise awareness of how alcohol negatively affects children and people of all ages. Going to parliament would be really exciting and potentially make a difference.
Jessica Glew, who is aiming to become an agricultural scientist, said she hoped the student designs would grab the attention of important people who could do something about problem drinkers.
Jessica Glew said:
Our main aim is to try and get across the message that young children and teenagers should be encouraged as much as possible to live a non-alcoholic lifestyle. We are hoping this will help raise awareness so that more things can be done to help.
Sara Beloula, who wants to study computer science or maths said she hoped she could help make a real difference with the project.
Sara Beloula said:
My idea is to make a simple design which represents the 0% alcohol message so it can be worn daily and not stay in a cupboard forever.
“This project is important as alcohol poisoning can kill, drinking alcohol underage is illegal and it really can ruin your life. I hope it sends a message that drinking alcohol can impact your life in ways you can’t control.
Presenting the project to MPs will help spread awareness and reach more people, which would be amazing.
Led by design technology teacher, Elizabeth Goddard, who has established an after-school fashion club offering textile and graphic workshops, the students will be designing, creating and printing their streetwear range in school.
Elizabeth Goddard said:
From the very beginning, I have been immensely proud of the pupils’ enthusiasm for the fashion club. Their creative enquiry, willingness to experiment, and commitment to producing meaningful work have been truly inspiring.
It has been remarkable to see how thoughtfully they have embraced the CAP message, weaving it into their designs with maturity and insight.
We are all so excited to showcase their achievements and to help raise awareness of the valuable work CAP is doing within our community.
RGS welfare officer Caroline Hare, who worked with Elizabeth Goddard on the successful CAP Innovation Fund bid, said the aim was to empower students to take full ownership of the creative process — from concept to finished product.
Elizabeth Goddard said:
CAP have been incredibly enthusiastic about the proposal, as it places students at the heart of the message and offers a powerful, peer-led platform to promote their cause.
They see it as an innovative and meaningful way to engage young people while giving their work real visibility.
The funding will allow us to procure a specialist dye sublimation printer, along with the additional clothing and materials needed to bring the project to life.
The CAP grant is awarded to organisations which can demonstrate a creative and forward-thinking approach to supporting young people in understanding and resisting the negative impacts of alcohol.
