What schools say about us
Teddington School
“Never in 24 years of teaching have I seen and heard such a passionate, powerful and thought-provoking message in a school. Every single school in the UK should listen and take note of these two outstanding gentlemen”.
Teacher, Teddington School
“I feel the talk was inspirational and informative. Having the opportunity to hear first hand how much of a struggle people go through helped show the damaging effects drugs can have”. K Year 9 student
“On behalf of all of Year 11 I think we truly felt impacted by the talk. Instead of shielding us from the realities of life, they showed us the real impacts and consequences of drugs. We hope everyone gets to experience their presentation. It’s truly saving lives”. C and S Year 11 students.
JFS
“Dear Steven,
I just want to extend my personal thanks to you and to Steven J. The response from the students was phenomenal. I quote: “that was the best assembly ever”. Your presentations to all Year Groups was carefully pitched and totally absorbing. We have had students come to you afterwards, speak to our safeguarding team, and speak to each other and to staff. A few snippets: “Really needed”. “I know people outside who do Ket”. “Really helpful”.
The impact, buzz and general response of positivity and warmth to you both is truly inspiring. It is rare such an impact is seen and your messages and assemblies rippled through the entire school.
If you will work with us again, we would love that. You are a fabulous (continued) addition to our PSHE curriculum, and I am very grateful. I look forward to hearing from you soon”.Geoff Peddie, Head of PSHE
Hasmonean High School
Drugsline Education is an invaluable resource that has educated so many of our students on the dangers of alcohol and drugs and provided them with the knowledge to be able to make informed choices. Steven is an amazing facilitator who strikes the perfect tone when educating students of the dangers not only of taking drugs, but being involved in the industry full stop. I could not recommend Steven, and Drugsline Education, highly enough to any school or institution.’
Amit Singh Kalley. Assistant Headteacher, Hasmonean High School
Southend High School for Boys
For the past three years, Steven Mervish of Drugsline Education has been working with us at Southend High School for Boys, to deliver drug and alcohol workshops to our Year 10 and 11 students. His no nonsense, fact-based approach really resonates with our students and his ability to communicate with them on their level never ceases to amaze staff, who have had the good fortune to be present. To be able to deliver an assembly to nearly two hundred 15 and 16 year old boys, and have them so quiet you could hear a pin drop is a rare talent. This is the reason that we keep inviting Steven back.
At the end of every session, Steven always stays around to speak to any students who wishes to come and seek his advice and counsel. I also know that, as a result of these sessions, Steven has worked with a number of students individually to support and help them with various issues associated with drugs. He is a very credible, reliable and trusted source of information for our students and staff.
We have also invited Steven to deliver a Parents’ Workshop to pupils of Years 10-13, on the dangers of drugs and what they need to know to be able to support their child.
It is very clear that Steven is incredibly passionate about what he does and his knowledge and understanding of drugs and the dangers that they pose is second-to-none. I would happily recommend his services to any school looking to tackle the issues around drugs and young people.
Southend High School for Girls
On behalf of Southend High School for Girls I would like to express my deep support for Mr. Steven Mervish and his educational outreach work in schools to raise awareness of drugs and alcohol problems amongst teenagers. This year he has come to school to work with groups of Year 9 and 11s and has left a lasting impression on them all. Mr. Mervish is an outstanding orator and made the sessions engaging, interactive and informative. He was excellent at tailoring the sessions to suit different age groups and target them with information relevant to their age range. His knowledge is incredibly up-to-date and he is able to provide information in a way that the students can relate to and understand.
VOLKSWAGEN Group Learning Services
Having managed various automotive apprenticeship programmes over the past 5 years, and currently with Volkswagen Group, it has been a real pleasure working with Steven/Drugsline Education.
Steven has worked closely with Volkswagen Group to develop a programme specifically aligned to meet the concerns and issues we have around substance misuse with our young people on programme.
Steven’s personality and character are extremely endearing, which results in our young apprentices opening up about their experiences and worries around drugs and alcohol abuse.
Drugsline Education are always available to offer the programme staff, or our learners, advice and guidance on how to deal with arising situations.
In summary, I feel that the Volkswagen Group apprentice programme, including learners and staff alike, benefit from the support and programmes delivered by Steven/Drugsline Education.
Martin Darby, Apprenticeship Key Account Manager
VOLKSWAGEN Group Learning Services
Shoeburyness High School
Steven Mervish of Drugsline Education has been coming into Shoeburyness High School for the past academic year. His role was to deliver Drug and Alcohol Awareness workshops in a class or assembly environment. These workshops were presented throughout the school from Year 7 to Year 13.
All members of staff have found Drugsline Education to be a great asset to our PSHE programme. Steven has an honest and open approach, and treats everyone with respect. Feedback from students has been quite amazing, and many students have asked for Steven to return to the school next year.
Comments from students include:
“It was moving and it has developed my understanding and awareness of drugs. I don’t think I believed they were so dangerous”.
“It was thought provoking and I really appreciated his frank honesty”.
“I will never do drugs”.
“I have stopped smoking cannabis for three months now. This is only since meeting and spending time with Steven of Drugsline Education“.Comments from staff include:
“Candid and honest”.
“Our students were captivated because they understood the language and anecdotes. It was not scientific, but real life. They need to continue to receive funding because they connected with, and engaged our young people”.The crucial role of communicating with young people in a way that connects with them cannot be underestimated, and can only be maintained if effective advocates like Steven Mervish of Drugsline Education continue to educate our young people.
The King’s School, Canterbury
The King’s School, Canterbury, has welcomed Steven Mervish of Drugsline Education to the school on several occasions, most recently to speak to our Year 9 pupils about drugs and drug culture. Steven’s knowledge of the subject is evident and he engages well with young people and their enquiring minds. Steven’s dynamic presentation captivated our pupils who said they found his talk to be extremely informative and beneficial. Steven encourages the pupils to participate in discussions about the topic in order to help their learning and understanding. We will definitely invite Steven back to King’s next year.
Davenant Foundation School
We at Davenant Foundation School have been privileged to have STEVEN from Drugsline Education who has been coming here now for a number years. In this time, he has had an enormous impact on the education of young people about drugs. His talks are always powerful, emotional and compelling and students often remember a lot of detailed information he has communicated to them.
Students look forward to his talks as they know from past experience how informative and how engaging they will be.
It is clear that Steven cares deeply about protecting but also informing young people of all the potential risks around drug taking and alcohol. His wealth of experience and anecdotes enable students to engage really actively in the lessons and this is what makes the difference. He doesn’t just say: DON’T DO DRUGS but offers young people opportunities to acquire the knowledge and understanding that they need to make the right decisions and to be risk averse.
I cannot recommend Drugsline Education too highly. Drugsline Education are providing a vital social service which should be made available in all schools.
Margaret Lamb, Head of PSHE, Healthy Schools and Psychology
Duke of Kent School
Year 9 & 10 – We received very positive feedback from the students. They had a lot to say afterwards. The feeling was that your descriptions had more effect than any pictures would have had.
Year 8 -Went very well again. Students felt they had learnt a lot.
Year 6 – Staff said you handled this very chatty and rather young group really well – they can be exhausting at the end of the day! It was a valuable session.
Parents Evening – some e-mails back thanking us for putting on such a helpful session. I certainly feel we can rely on you to support us on these difficult drugs issues in the future so I hope you won’t mind coming back.
Head PHSE, Duke of Kent School
Trinity School
The Drugsline Education talk was good because the speaker showed an in depth knowledge of the topics and could relate the problems to real life situations and stories that he had experienced. I learnt a lot from what he told us and it will help me to make decisions on what I will do as I get older. It is a talk that I would recommend to others.
Year 11 student Trinity School
Hitchin Boys School
WOW. What an impact. When I booked Drugsline Education I had no idea what to expect. The speaker was passionate, honest and had the students on the edge of their seats. The success of Steven speaking at our Parents Evening has opened dialogue between the school and parents as never seen before.
AD. Head of PSHE, Hitchin Boys School
