ABC Campaign

Too much alcohol can affect your mental health and physical health. With this in mind, the UK Chief Medical Officers’ Low Risk Drinking Guidelines have been developed to enable people to make informed choices about how much alcohol they consume.

To keep health risks low, the advice is that men and women drink no more than 14 units per week, spread over several days with a few days drink free each week. Roughly, 14 units equals 6 pints of 4% beer or 6 medium (175ml) glasses of wine or 7 double measures of spirits.

Certain holiday seasons can be difficult to navigate for people who experience problems with alcohol. 

• Local support and wellbeing information can be found here: Alcohol – Healthy Shetland
• You can check how healthy your drinking is with this quick quiz: Check your drinking | Alcohol Change UK
• If you want to check how many units you’re drinking, you can use this calculator Alcohol units | Alcohol Change UK
• Further information on drinking sensibly and knowing your limits can be found here: Alcohol | NHS inform

Guest blog: Staying safe and where to seek help

Last year the highest number of reports of sexual assault in Shetland occurred during the fire festival period. This year, in partnership with local organisations, we want to build on Shetland’s strong sense of community by raising awareness of staying safe, looking after friends, and encouraging everyone to play an active role in keeping events safe for all. This blog is shared by Jacqueline Whittaker, NHS Shetland’s Chief Midwife/Women’s and Child Health Manager.

Up Helly Aa is unique to Shetland and brings people together with big crowds, squads, music, dancing and long nights of celebration. With high spirits and alcohol, it’s important to stay safe.

Alcohol is a normal part of social life for many people. We enjoy a drink at celebrations, nights out, or simply relaxing with friends. However, alcohol can also lower inhibitions, affect judgement and the ability to assess risk accurately. It can influence a person’s ability to react quickly in uncomfortable situations and communicate boundaries.

This means that intoxicated people may be more vulnerable to those who intend to harm them.

When drinking, we need to stay safe and look after each other. In Shetland, where hospitality, celebrations, and community connections are strong, promoting safety is about supporting one another and protecting the wellbeing of everyone attending our local events.

Remember the principles of staying safe and sticking with people you know. Take a look at the ABC Campaign – NHS Shetland for more information on safe alcohol behaviours and how to be a positive bystander. Most people are there to enjoy the night, but be cautious.

• If someone is overly persistent with you or a friend, intervene.
• If someone is too drunk to consent, this must be respected.
• If you’re worried about a situation or for your own safety, talk to one of the hostesses. Every hall will have them and they have received training in how to support anyone that needs help.

Up Helly Aa doesn’t remove the need for respect and consent and everyone has the right to enjoy the fire festival season safely. However, if something does happen, support is available.

The Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) is a dedicated NHS service which can offer healthcare and support in the days after a sexual assault or rape and allows for the collection of forensic medical evidence on island. This service was first opened in April 2022 in the low stimulus room at the Gilbert Bain Hospital, and has now been relocated to part of the old sanctuary, to accommodate a suite with three key areas: an initial meeting and waiting area, a private seated area for consultation and a medical examination room with ensuite facilities.

• You can phone the sexual assault self-referral phone service on 0800 148 88 88. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
• You can find more information about how to self-refer to a SARCS on the NHS Inform website: Turn to SARCS | NHS inform
• To view a walk through video of the NHS Shetland SARCS suite, located in the Gilbert Bain Hospital, please click the link: NHS Shetland SARCS

For further support please contact:

• The Compass Centre, 11 Hill Lane, Lerwick, ZE1 0HA, can be reached on 01595 747174 (9.00am-1.30pm Monday-Thursday) or you can call the Rape Crisis Scotland helpline every day from 6.00pm to midnight on 08088 010302 or text 07357 410 027. If you are under 13, you can contact Childline on 0800 1111.
• Police, call 999 for immediate emergencies. If someone is unable to speak during this call press 55. Please call 101 for non-emergency police matters and reporting a crime.
• Seek out support from trusted local contacts — family, friends, healthcare staff.

Remember to trust your instincts. If a situation feels uncomfortable, leave.

Shetland is a close knit community and that’s a real strength and we need to use that strength to keep each other safe.

Enjoy the celebrations, look after yourself and others.