Episode 2: Creating Healthy Social Experiences with Jen Gilhoi

As we approach ‘silly season’, it’s a great time to pause and notice just how central alcohol has become to our social interactions. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Jen Gilhoi, co-founder of the Zero Proof Collective, who is on a mission to create healthy social experiences that decentralise alcohol. Jen and I are doing very similar work on our respective sides of the Atlantic, raising awareness of the importance of normalising sobriety and empowering people to make healthier choices around alcohol. Look out for Jen’s Ted Talk in the New Year, Sober Not Sombre, which I’ll be sharing on social media.

There’s also some pretty big news about alcohol this week. The Scottish government are consulting on alcohol marketing, putting forward a comprehensive fact-based proposal designed to reduce alcohol harm. The paper starts by outlining the case for change. There statistics are staggering: 24 people a week die from diseases that can only be caused by alcohol in Scotland alone. A further 73 deaths per week are partly attributable to alcohol. So almost 100 preventable deaths per week. The paper goes on to argue that reducing the attractiveness of alcohol is a key factor that can reduce this harm. Personally, I couldn’t agree more. If we allowed cigarettes to be wrapped in fancy packaging and given up-lighting on a pedestal in bars, there’d be an outcry! I’m delighted to see the Scottish government tackling these double standards.

Do you have a different view? I’d love to debate this on the Podcast, so head to https://choosesunrise.co.uk/podcasts and complete the Be My Guest form.

Find out more about the work that Jen Gilhoi does at Zero Proof Collective by connecting on social media:

Jen Gilhoi Linked In

Jen Gilhoi Instagram

Zero Proof Collective Instagram 

Sober Not Sombre Instagram

Have your say on the Scottish Government’s Consultation on Alcohol Marketing at https://www.gov.scot/

If you’d like free HR resources to help you create an alcohol safe workplace, without killing the buzz, head to Choose Sunrise and sign up for free resources.

Let’s end the stigma, because nobody should feel afraid to ask for help with alcohol use.