Carolyn
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carolynl.bsky.social
Carolyn
@carolynl.bsky.social
64 followers 210 following 52 posts
CEO, Alcohol Focus Scotland.

I post about AFS' work and Scottish politics/policy in general, with some books, parenting and Jambos chat thrown in from time to time.
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carolynl.bsky.social
Very excited to announce the first ever Alcohol Action Day for Scotland! It will take place on Thursday 12 November and the them for this year is "support". Lots more info to come: please sign up for updates - and do share with networks. www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/alcohol-acti...
Alcohol Action Day
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
September 18, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Reposted by Carolyn
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
We're proud to announce the launch of Scotland's first ever Alcohol Action Day! ✊

The theme is 'Support'. 🤝

Sign up to take action on our website 🔽

www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/alcohol-acti...
September 17, 2026 at 3:51 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
Thanks to @scotnational.bsky.social for covering this joint approach to the First Minister from @alcoholfocus.bsky.social and @shaapalcohol.bsky.social. Scotland needs clear and consistent leadership on public health: not ever cheaper access to alcohol. We hope he will listen to us.
scotnational.bsky.social The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 9d
Campaigners working to tackle alcohol harm have penned a furious letter to John Swinney urging him against lobbying the UK Government on reducing duty, claiming it is at odds with his pledge to tackle domestic abuse
John Swinney under fire over plan to lobby Labour on alcohol duty
www.thenational.scot
September 11, 2026 at 11:34 AM
carolynl.bsky.social
A disappointing lack of focus on the catastrophe that is Scotland's relationship with alcohol in today's #ProgrammeforGovernment. There's no point calling it a public health emergency without announcing any emergency action. We need a strong alcohol harm prevention plan published ASAP.
alcoholfocus.bsky.social Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 18d
The First Minister has today announced the Scottish Government's #ProgrammeForGovernment 2026-2031

Read our response🔽
Image of Carolyn Lochhead, AFS CEO, with text reading: "The Scottish Government is right to describe the impact of alcohol on Scotland as a public health emergency. But this Programme for Government doesn’t back up these words with action proportionate to the scale of damage to Scotland's health, economy and wellbeing. Scotland has been a leader with population-wide prevention measures like minimum unit pricing (MUP) and the lack of ambition to build on this legacy is frustrating. To truly tackle Scotland’s catastrophic relationship with alcohol, we need to put prevention at the heart of the health agenda. The Scottish Government must introduce automatic uprating of MUP, so its impact is not eroded by inflation. Alongside this, they must reform the licensing system and take decisive action to restrict alcohol marketing.”
September 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
"No Scotland no party?" How Scotland’s mythology is weaponised against us, and what we can do about it. My latest blog for @alcoholfocus.bsky.social www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/in...
News | In Focus: The AFS Monthly CEO Blog - August 2026
‘No Scotland no party?’ How Scotland’s mythology is weaponised against us, and what we can do about it
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
August 31, 2026 at 2:09 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
In case anyone else wants to know the answer is the Science Centre.
carolynl.bsky.social Carolyn @carolynl.bsky.social · Jul 25
Question. I’m off to the #Commonwealthgames tonight and apparently the Voi bike station at the Hydro is not in use. Anyone know where the next nearest one is? Thanks 🙏
July 25, 2026 at 8:20 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
Question. I’m off to the #Commonwealthgames tonight and apparently the Voi bike station at the Hydro is not in use. Anyone know where the next nearest one is? Thanks 🙏
July 25, 2026 at 3:40 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
I'm loving the Scotland team and the Tartan Army taking over Boston for the #WorldCup- but we need to talk about the booze. My latest In Focus blog post for @alcoholfocus.bsky.social. www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/in...
News | In Focus: The AFS monthly CEO blog - June 2026
In the first of a new series of monthly CEO blogs, Carolyn Lochhead, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, shares her thoughts post-election on Alcohol Focus Scotland’s hopes for the new Parliame...
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
June 17, 2026 at 3:02 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
Getting the kids into bed: they’re excited to get up tomorrow and see if Steve Clarke has been.
June 13, 2026 at 8:56 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
Did you know that alcohol is exempt from regulations on listing ingredients? New @alcoholfocus.bsky.social research confirms we're being kept in the dark about alcohol content, and calls on the UK government to change the law. www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/on...
News | One in five alcohol products keep consumers in the dark on health information, new study finds
One in five alcohol products sold in the UK fail to meet minimum voluntary labelling guidelines set by the alcohol industry regulator, the Portman Group, according to new analysis of over 530 alcohol ...
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
June 5, 2026 at 9:04 AM
carolynl.bsky.social
One for my Scottish public affairs pals: I asked my programmer husband to create an app to help me learn all the new MSPs, so he deployed some AI skills and made this. So far I am doing very badly, but I shall improve! msp-flashcards.defmech.com
New MSP Flash Cards 2026
Test your knowledge of new Members of the Scottish Parliament elected in 2026.
msp-flashcards.defmech.com
May 19, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Reposted by Carolyn
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
Introducing 'In Focus: the monthly AFS CEO blog' 📰

In the first of a new series of monthly CEO blogs, Carolyn Lochhead, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, shares her thoughts post-election on our hopes for the new Parliament.

www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/in...
Image of Carolyn Lochhead, AFS CEO, with quote text reading: “For the fifty-plus families in Scotland who will lose someone to alcohol this week, it’s already too late. But for the one in five people in Scotland still drinking at levels that put their health at risk there is still time. “We can prevent other families experiencing the devastation of losing someone to alcohol: and every MSP has a role to play.”
May 18, 2026 at 9:30 AM
carolynl.bsky.social
Really enjoyed this event, got a lot out of it and met some interesting people. Thanks all who organised it.
socinvestscot.bsky.social Social Investment Scotland @socinvestscot.bsky.social · May 13
A big thank you to everyone who joined us at The Robertson Trust in Glasgow today for Funding Socials and contributed to such an insightful session. It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout and so many great conversations.

#SocialEnterprise #SocialInvestmentScotland #CharitySector
May 15, 2026 at 3:36 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
Scottish Parliament election results yesterday and @thejamtarts.bsky.social vs Motherwell today: not sure I can take this much excitement!
May 9, 2026 at 7:06 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
While we wait for tomorrow's election results, why not have a listen to me on the Scottish Drugs Forum podcast, talking about how we tackle alcohol harm, the role of @alcoholfocus.bsky.social and how we as leaders can stay healthy. A very wide-ranging chat! drugsuncut.podbean.com
Drugs Uncut | Scottish Drugs Forum
Drugs Uncut - A space for informal yet informed conversation on drug-related issues in Scotland brought to you by Scottish Drugs Forum
drugsuncut.podbean.com
May 7, 2026 at 3:44 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
Just finished listening to @mmgeissler.bsky.social’s series of interviews with Scottish party leaders ahead of the election. Genuinely the most insightful discussions I’ve heard in the campaign so far, and useful for those of us still deciding how to vote.
May 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
Bloody love him.
jesscraven101.bsky.social Jess Craven ❌👑 @jesscraven101.bsky.social · Apr 10
This is how Bruce Springsteen opened his concert in Los Angeles last night. 🔥🔥

Footage from @margaret_nagle on Threads.
April 10, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Reposted by Carolyn
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
We’ve added a new page to our website providing information about the upcoming #ScottishElections

Featuring all you need to help us campaign for the next Parliament to end the half measures and get serious about tackling alcohol harm.

https://twp.ai/9PcOCd
April 10, 2026 at 10:30 AM
carolynl.bsky.social
I come from a family that loves football, and I want what's best for the sport - that's why I don't want to see alcohol re-introduced in Scotland's stadiums. Thanks to @scotnational.bsky.social for the chance to write about it. www.thenational.scot/politics/259...
Lifting the alcohol ban at football matches would be a mistake
WE were told those days were past. And yet, after last month’s Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic, we were confronted once…
www.thenational.scot
April 7, 2026 at 10:31 AM
carolynl.bsky.social
Saw Flight at the Citizen’s Theatre tonight. An individual viewing of a story told through 3D models and recorded dialogue, recounting the journey of two young boys fleeing Afghanistan. Quite extraordinary.
March 27, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Reposted by Carolyn
davidbol.bsky.social
My take on what was an emotional, highly-charged, and at one point, quite surreal, assisted dying debate in the Scottish Parliament. It has been the most important issue MSPs have debated this parliament, and one of the most crucial in the history of devolution
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
Assisted dying Scotland: High emotions as MSPs face most-profound Holyrood decision
The emotional assisted dying debate was a display of Holyrood at its best.
www.scotsman.com
March 17, 2026 at 10:34 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
Can't remember when I last voluntarily watched a Scottish Parliament session that wasn't directly related to my work, but tonight's Assisted Dying debate is gripping. Dignified, thoughtful, informed, respectful and humane, on both sides of the question. More of this, please, parliamentarians.
March 17, 2026 at 8:13 PM
carolynl.bsky.social
On the way to Edinburgh for #SNP conference. Will be talking to MSPs and candidates about the @alcoholfocus.bsky.social manifesto No More Half Measures, and how we can tackle Scotland’s disastrous relationship with alcohol. www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/no...
News | No more half measures: alcohol charity demands bold alcohol action in next Parliament
Alcohol Focus Scotland has warned Scotland’s next MSPs that it’s time to get serious about tackling the cost of harm caused by alcohol
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
March 14, 2026 at 8:04 AM
carolynl.bsky.social
Some thoughts on the new alcohol and drugs strategy…

Whoever wins the election in May, it’s a chance for a fresh start. Scotland has led the way before on tackling the harm caused by alcohol, and with political will and determination, we can do so again.
March 13, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by Carolyn
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
AFS welcomes the publication of the new #ScottishGovernment Strategic Plan for Alcohol and Drugs for 2026-2035.

Read more 🔽

www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/af...
Text quote from Carolyn Lochhead, AFS CEO, reading: "We are glad to see recognition from Scottish Government that, with fifty people a week dying from alcohol, we need urgent change. The new strategic plan incorporates measures that Alcohol Focus Scotland has been calling for including enhanced liver screening and an alcohol-specific prevention plan, including next steps on alcohol marketing and labelling. “To tackle the near record deaths from alcohol, implementation of the strategic plan must now ensure that people affected by alcohol receive the priority, resources, and investment they need, not just on paper but in practice. We look forward to working with government to make that happen.”
March 10, 2026 at 11:50 AM