EIF grant enables The Loop to offer drug awareness training to outdoor #Eventprofs

The Loop has received a grant from the Events Industry Forum (EIF) which will enable the delivery of more training on harm reduction and drug awareness to people working in all areas of the outdoor events industry.

The Loop is a charity with expertise in harm reduction, developed through its drug checking and testing services, and associated research and evidence building. The charity, through the expertise of its professional volunteers and experience of delivering services, is ideally placed to inform and support those working in the events industry, and supported by the EIF, will reach wider communities and more individuals, with the joint aim to provide safer events and environments for all.

As a result of the grant, The Loop has appointed Adam Waugh as its first training coordinator. In his first weeks in the role, Waugh has successfully recruited eight new trainers to assist in the provision of The Loop’s training across the UK. Alongside this increased resource, the grant assists in The Loop and EIF’s recognition that training, whilst known to be important and desirable by event organisers, can feel a stretch too far in relation to costs and in difficult times to breakeven. The grant therefore enables subsidy of the training costs, ensuring this is affordable to those organising and working within the events industry.

Katy Porter, CEO of The Loop, said: “The Loop is delighted to have received this grant from EIF, and to have welcomed Adam to The Loop staff team. We recognise the importance of harm reduction related to potential risks associated with drug use, and are pleased that more people working in the industry will be equipped with understanding and tools to assist in keeping people safe at many different kinds of events throughout the UK.”

The Loop will continue to expand its offer to increase and improve harm reduction provision, including the development of drug checking services, training, and research in this area of expertise, and working closely with partners such as EIF.