The People behind BNTL

Peter Swales
Chairman and Managing Director
My 'day job' is as Vicar of Heckmondwike in West Yorkshire but my great interest is BNTL and its aim to offer information to children and young people about the dangers posed by alcohol, illegal drugs and the abuse of solvents.

At BNTL, we have a sound historical base and experience, but we have not remained in the past. We have a modern outlook as to how we operate in today's society, and appreciate the pressures faced by both young people and the adults who work with them (youth workers and parents alike).

My responsibility is to help our experienced, friendly and skilful development team as they assist schools and other organisations in the task of showing children and young people that there is an alternative way of life without taking the risk of using potentially damaging drugs like alcohol and other substances. This is not an easy thing to achieve, a friendly ally is always helpful - we are that ally, so please do not hesitate to use us.

We are currently distributing a copy of our teaching manual 'Thinking About Drinking' free to every school in the country for use at both Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3, and follow up resources will be available if and when possible. It is a pleasure to be involved with BNTL and its outreach work at a time when young people are under intense pressure to use alcohol and other drugs for recreational purposes and to be accepted by their peer group. We endeavour to help them get out of that trap

Barbara Briggs
Administration Director
BNTL is a registered charity and Barbara is responsible for the day to day running and all the administration and financial aspects of the charity both legal and statutory.The job has many facets ranging from the production and control of Management Accounts to dealing with clients and interested parties on a day-to-day basis.She has responsibility for the organisation of events at both a national and local level; liaison with multi-disciplined agencies; the preparation of all corporate literature, advertising and PR.Barbara also undertakes to speak on BNTL's behalf and helps at exhibitions and events.

She is Chairman and a Trustee for PRID (Partnership to Reduce the Influence of Drugs - An initiative of South Yorkshire Police).