West Norfolk students’ award-winning anti-spiking initiative

Young entrepreneurs at a King’s Lynn School have been tackling the issue of the link between drink spiking and sexual assault – and have won two awards for their innovative efforts.

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​The four students from Springwood High School set up sexual assault awareness company SAWARE, through the Young Enterprise programme, with the aim of promoting awareness of drink spiking and its potential to lead to sexual assault, as well as marketing anti-spiking caps which they rebranded with their own logo.

Their hard work was recognised at the 2023 Young Enterprise Awards, where they received trophies for both Marketing and Best Logo, at a ceremony which was held at the University of East Anglia. 

SAWARE managing directors Freddie Burt and Will Bland, marketing manager Lexi Ampohmah and digital creator Edwin Muji, are all sixth formers at Springwood, a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

With the help of Business Teacher Emily Hutton and Year 13 student Harry Clayton, who took part in last year’s competition, the group founded their company, which has been spreading its message through social media and a website.

“SAWARE is a business raising awareness about the taboo topic of sexual assault and the rising epidemic of drink spiking,” explained Miss Hutton. 

“The students felt strongly about the topic and wanted to create a product that prevented the issue and raised awareness within their age groups, with 5,000 reports of spiking in the UK yearly.”

The entrepreneurs also received advice and support from Springwood alumnus Harry Seaton, who is the managing director of  influencer marketing agency Fluential.

“The most common form of spiking is through putting powder or pills in drinks which dissolve. The product creates a physical barrier on glasses and beer bottles to prevent this occurring, as well as being sustainable and reusable,”he said.

As well as campaigning online, the students have been holding classroom presentations and assemblies, and have been liaising with businesses in the area.

Will Bland said: “We reached out to local bars and clubs who supported our business and were open to the idea of partnering to distribute our products.”

“It’s crucial that we develop entrepreneurial skills within young people that motivates them to succeed in the changing world of work by equipping them with the work skills, knowledge and confidence that they need,” added Miss Hutton.

“The CEO and Founder of Young Enterprise is so impressed with SAWARE that he wants to come to Springwood to talk to the students.”

Luke Rawlings, Head of Year 12, said: “Springwood Sixth Form takes every opportunity to get students involved in super-curricular activities like Young Enterprise, and I am so pleased that the students have walked away with so many awards.

“The students have been working hard all year and thoroughly deserve the recognition they have received.”