A one-day course to train volunteers in safely and responsibly running fundraising events involving the sale of alcohol took place in Mallaig and Morar Community Centre on Saturday [31st January].

The Servewise Plus course was organised by Mallaig and Morar Community Centre Association and Lochaber College Mallaig for volunteers from community groups throughout Mallaig, Morar and Arisaig.  A number of local businesses also attended the course, each of these paying the full amount for attendance.

The Community Centre Association received assistance to put their volunteers on the course from Lochaber Enterprise of £340, including a £170 contribution from the European funded Community Economic Development (CED) programme.  They also received £220 from the Community Safety Scheme and £250 from the Lochaber Drug and Alcohol Forum.

The aim of the course was to provide those who attended with the necessary skills and knowledge required to safely and responsibly run events in the community centre.  With the hope that it will allow the community groups to hold more events in the hall for the benefit of their own group and the community as a whole. 

The course covered licensing laws, the short and long term effects of alcohol, people skills, calming and control, understanding frustration, body language and safe departure of customers aswell as legal responsibilities. 

Niki Robertson from the Mallaig and Morar Community Centre Association said: "We hope this training will benefit both the volunteers who are selling the alcohol and also the general public attending the events, community safety is a very important issue for us.

"It is hoped the training will also help to minimise offences at events and assist in the prevention of underage drinking."

Alison Boyle, CED project manager for Lochaber Enterprise said: "This is a really worthwhile course because it will hopefully increase the number of events held in the Mallaig and Morar community centre to the benefit of the wider community.  It will also hopefully make the events safer and more enjoyable for all involved."