Think Differently
Award winning intervention and prevention educational programme for young people aged 11-18
This programme is designed to help young people in schools throughout Kent and Medway to Think Differently about alcohol and substance misuse.
Think Differently helps young people across Kent and Medway make informed choices about alcohol, drugs and risk-taking behaviours through powerful real-life stories and lived experiences.
The programme:
Raises awareness of the risks and consequences of alcohol and substance misuse
Uses real-life speakers, including people in recovery and families affected by addiction
Explores the impact of addiction on individuals, families and communities
Discusses issues such as peer pressure, gangs, crime, prison and exploitation
Encourages young people to reflect on their choices and decision-making
Promotes resilience, self-awareness and healthier lifestyles
Highlights positive messages of hope, recovery and change
Supports early intervention and prevention through engaging, age-appropriate education
Outcome:
Young people leave with a greater understanding of the risks associated with substance misuse, as well as the confidence and knowledge to make safer, healthier choices for their future.
“Please can you pass on my sincere thanks to Andy and Kim for coming into Wrotham School, their assemblies and small group work had a huge impact on our young people, they are still talking about it. I have had nothing but positive feedback from the staff and the students were moved by Kim’s story and gripped by Andy’s. I have even had students approaching me saying that listening to both has changed their life! The assistant headteacher said it is the best talk he has been to in his 14 years at the school.”
Teacher from Wrotham School
Think Differently in Schools
Delivered in 49 secondary schools across Kent during the 2024/25 academic year
Engaged with 12,187 pupils through interactive, lived-experience education sessions
Available to schools across the South East not just Kent and Medway
New for 2026: Think Differently Junior - a tailored prevention and awareness programme for primary schools year 6 transition to secondary.
Award Winning Programme
Our youth services team won the 2023 Kent Charity Awards in the Care category for their early intervention programme Think Differently.
Book Think Differently for your school
Think Differently can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your school and individual year groups. Delivery options include:
Whole-school assemblies
Presentations for specific year groups
Small group sessions for targeted individuals at risk of alcohol and substance misuse
Cost
Half Day (up to 3hrs) £300
Full Day (up to 6hr) £425
Think Differently Junior is an engaging, assembly or classroom style programme designed for Years 6 and 7, helping young people stay safe as they transition from primary to secondary school.
The programme:
Delivers age-appropriate education in a fun, interactive and thought-provoking way
Uses visual aids and discussion to encourage participation and learning
Equips young people with the knowledge and confidence to make safe, informed choices
Explores topics relevant to today's young people, including peer pressure, friendships, risk-taking and personal safety
Supports pupils during the important transition from primary to secondary education
Outcome:
Young people leave feeling more informed, empowered and better prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead for secondary school.
Cost: £150
Testimonials
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"Kenward trust came to my school today to talk about drug addiction and we listened to Kim talk about her story about her 17 year old son. That whole assembly i was holding back tears and soon as I got home i cried to my mum and gave her a huge hug because i felt so touched by her story and how sorry i felt for her. The way she told the story makes me so upset to think about what she must have gone through. To Kim and the man who came today, you made me view the world in a much better perspective and reminded me to make most of my life and make the right choices, thank you"
A student from one of the Turner schools
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“I have just watched Andy come and speak to a group of year 7s this afternoon. My background was 32 years in the Ambulance Service before coming into Safeguarding at this school. The children here are not an easy bunch to keep engaged. Andy was just superb. What a jewel you have in him. The lady I sat next to had been in another year 10 talk. She said he had approached them in a totally different way and was quite hard hitting. It was fascinating and the children kept focused throughout. No mean feat for this school! Please pass on to him that what he is doing is priceless. If one child from each group stops and thinks twice before doing something wrong, then it's a complete win"
A teacher from John Wallis academy
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“Andy and John: thank you for enabling these young people to have a rare day out and to hear some vital education. It was amazing to see how they responded to this opportunity and to talk to the teachers about how much it would mean to them and help them”
Assistant Principal Marsh Academy
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"The talks by both of the people were so powerful, truly hard hitting and really makes you think about your decisions showcasing the true impact of drugs. Furthermore, this was so well presented where it never felt antagonising or fear mongering but rather just shows the harsh realities of life"
A student from
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
Our speakers
Kim Webster
Kim Webster lost her son Will in 2018 after he misused the painkiller Tramadol. Will was just 17 and about to begin his dream career in the army. He was passionate about fitness and had a real love for boxing.
In response to this devastating tragedy, Kim has made it her mission to warn young people about the dangers of substance misuse and to share the reality of the pain and lasting impact that losing a loved one can have on a family.
Since Will’s death, Kim has voluntarily spoken to more than 55,000 teenagers, giving honest and powerful talks about grief, loss, and the life-changing decisions families are forced to make following such tragedies. Her aim is to educate, inform and ultimately help save young lives.
Working alongside Andy Watson, Kim is making a significant impact in schools through powerful real-life stories and lived experiences, helping young people better understand the consequences and outcomes of the choices they make.
Andy Watson
Andy Watson was a resident at Kenward Trust in 2003. Kenward Trust is Kent’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, based in Yalding, Maidstone. Since then, Andy has gone on to do outstanding work supporting young people and adults throughout the community.
Drawing on his own lived experiences, Andy has a unique ability to relate to young people who may be beginning to misuse alcohol or drugs and engage in anti-social behaviour.
Andy delivers outreach youth work, educational programmes, and intervention services as part of the Kenward in the Community team, including “Think Differently”, Kenward Trust’s award-winning school education programme.
Our Film and Learning Resource
We have produced a film and learning resource for FREE for schools across Kent, through funding from Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust, Gibbs Laidler, the Henry Oldfield Trust and Kent Community Foundation.
This film follows the stories of the families of two young boys who unfortunately died after taking drugs in Kent. The families have been working with Think Differently and Kenward Trust to help raise awareness and educate young people across the county about the risks associated with alcohol and drugs. The aim of the video and resource is to allow young people to be equipped with the facts and education to be able to make an informed choice when encountering substances.
The film will be accompanied by three lesson plans, Power Point presentations, handouts, and activities designed to start conversations about substances and help young people understand the risks.
To find out more about the film or to download the learning resource, please email us or complete the contact form below.
Cascade Training
Our latest service is our Cascade Training, which aims to give young people the vital knowledge they need in order to understand the effects substances have on both physical and mental health, alongside emotional wellbeing, relationships, and future achievements.
We use real-life stories from volunteers and sessional workers with previous drug and alcohol addictions, plus ex-prisoners, to engage with young people and raise awareness of the issues and potential consequences of alcohol misuse.
Our Cascade Project will train pupils from sixth form to become peer mentors to provide guidance to pupils from Years 7 and 8 whilst acting as a positive role model to younger pupils.