A recent study by The Lancet reported that alcohol consumption has dropped 10% since the 90s with 1 in 4 adults turning their back on booze. The research found that while average alcohol intake is rising across the world, the trend is reversed in the UK.

With this in mind, the line-up of events taking place during Waterloo Food Fortnight will include 'Sobriety over Hangxiety'; a panel discussion with some of the UK's leading sober and 'sober-curious' influencers.

The range of speakers will give insight into their personal sobriety experiences with a particular focus on the impact drinking (and not drinking!) has had on their mental health.

Encouraging sociable experiences for non-drinkers, the event will begin with a drinks reception showcasing a range of new and exciting non-alcoholic spirits. These will include Caleño (a non-alcoholic, tropical free spirit inspired by Columbia), and Outfox (non-alcoholic wine to make dry drinking better).

Panellists will then introduce themselves to the audience before moving on to a discussion hosted by Millie Gooch, the founder of @SoberGirlSociety.

Having given up alcohol aged 26 (after years of partying too hard), Millie went on to set up @sobergirlsociety, an Instagram-based community that now has over 30K followers (including a few famous faces). She also runs a series of regular London-based meet-ups, has appeared as a panellist at Club Soda's Mindful Drinking Festival and written about non-alcoholic drinks for numerous publications.

Panellists include former Sunday Times Style Features Editor turned and author of 'Sober Curious' (Ruby Warrington), Mental Health champion and founder of Welford Wellbeing (Rachel Welford), owner of non-alcoholic spirit brand Caleño (Ellie Web), writer of 'The Boy Who Drank Too Much' (Scott Pearson), founder of alcohol-free drinks brand Outfox (Jessica Hook) and Writer of Girl and Tonic (Laurie McCallister).

The night will provide the perfect opportunity for the sober-curious (a term first coined by Ruby Warrington to explain a popular new movement that encourages mindful drinking and questions our drinking habits) to learn more about this increasing trend, meet other liked-minded individuals AND leave armed with useful tips and tricks on improving mental wellbeing through sobriety.

Notes to Editors

About Waterloo Food Fortnight (#FoodFortnight19)
Now in its 12th year, Waterloo Food Fortnight (27 June-12 July), is a big, fat celebration of the culturally diverse and (insanely tasty) Food & Beverage offer available in the area. From Ethiopian to Polish, Portuguese to Korean, there is something for every taste bud in London's Waterloo - and we are so excited for you to seek it all out. For two weeks, you'll be able to explore your palette with special demonstrations, masterclasses, workshops, happy hours and offers taking place in tonnes of spots.

About WeAreWaterloo
As Lambeth's first BID, WeAreWaterloo delivers an expansive programme of services to its members and also runs the Lower Marsh market. The BID delivers a range of initiatives to help create a destination where people want to spend time; a safer and more pleasant environment; a great place to set up a business and a creative and connected community in which to work. For more information, see: www.wearewaterloo.co.uk @WeAreWaterlooUK

About PowWow Talks
Embracing the neighbourhood's rebellious attitude and culture of creativity, the PowWow Waterloo topical debates (run by WeAreWaterloo) provide a safe space for guests to have challenging conversations and open their minds to a different way of thinking.

About Platform
Platform is a contemporary art gallery, theatre, and studio space in Waterloo. It's an artist-run creative hub where people meet, exchange ideas and grow together. Platform connects emerging practitioners in the arts and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration. For more information, see: www.platformsouthwark.co.uk

About Millie Gooch (Host)
In February 2018, after years of partying too hard, subsequent hangovers and poor management of her mental health, Millie decided, at 26-years-old, to give up alcohol for good. When she realised that sobriety only made her happier, more fun and more sparkly, she founded @sobergirlsociety, an Instagram-based community that now has over 30K followers (including a few famous faces) who are all ditching alcohol for their own reasons. As well as starting a series of regular London-based meet-ups, Millie has appeared as a panellist at Club Soda's Mindful Drinking Festival and written about non-alcoholic drinks for Elle Online. For more information, see www.sobergirlsociety.com

About Rachel Welford (Panellist)
Rachael is the founder of Welford Wellbeing, your high vibes gateway to better mental health. She is on a mission to empower people to take control of their mental health so they can live life on their terms and access their full potential. Rachael, is an inspirational speaker and holistic therapist who has an infectious energy. Sincere, not serious; she believes in rising together and enjoying life. Rachael teaches with passion and knowledge gained directly from personal experience of burn out, depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Having had a breakdown following years of unhealthy coping mechanisms, she decided to face her issues and change her life. Through this process, as well as extensive training, she has established solid practices that enabled her to not only rebuild her life but launch a business helping others thrive in the same conditions. This warrants a unique perspective which is delivered in an authentic way. Having worked with a variety of companies from Reuters, Havas, UN Women, TFL and Barbican to NME, lulu lemon and Rude Health, Rachael creates unique wellbeing experiences, which inspire others to cultivate self-awareness and build lasting change. For more information, see www.welfordwellbeing.com

About Ruby Warrington (Panellist)
Ruby Warrington is a British writer and thought leader currently living in Brooklyn, NY. Formerly Features Editor on the UK Sunday Times Style magazine, in 2012 she launched The Numinous, a cosmic lifestyle platform that updates all things "new age" for life in the Now Age. Ruby also works as a consultant, while other projects include "sober curious" event series Club SÖDA NYC and spiritual coaching program Moon Club. Author of Material Girl, Mystical World, Ruby's second book, Sober Curious, was published on December 31 2018. Offering an eye-opening new way to think about our relationship with alcohol, Sober Curious reveals the enormous benefits that come from unlearning the mindless habit of drinking and embracing the life-enhancing choice of sobriety: greater joy, clarity, confidence, and connection. For more information, see: www.rubywarrington.com

About Ellie Web (Panellist)
When on a dance night out with friends a few years ago, Ellie realised that not drinking, and the options that came with it, sometimes meant losing that sense of joy, colour, energy and connections we make with other people. She launched Caleño, a tropical non-alcoholic, free spirit, to bring the ingredients, colours, music and energy of Latin America to “not drinking”. Inspired by the sunny spirit of South America, Caleño, is the delicious new tropical non-alcoholic spirit that's already making waves here in the UK. For more information, see www.calenodrinks.com

About Scott Pearson (Panellist)
At the age of 29, Scott doesn't claim to know everything. But what he does know about, is living a life that's alcohol-free, coupled with anxiety and depression. The Boy Who Drank Too Much was created as a way of holding himself accountable on his journey of sobriety, but before long it became so much more. By documenting his journey on Instagram, the page soon became not just about him, but about helping others too. Scott's journey is only just beginning, and he believes The Boy Who Drank Too Much can help so many people find peace in their decision to go alcohol-free. For more information, see www.instagram.com/theboywhodranktoomuch

About Jessica Hook (Panellist)
After cutting out alcohol for six months whilst training for the Marathon des Sables, Outfox Founder, Jessica Hook, was frustrated by the lack of credible non-alcoholic options available. As a self- confessed wine-lover, Jessica, wanted to help make 'not drinking' feel more inclusive, with a tastier, more premium range of drinks, served from a chilled wine glass. Following a successful career at Kraft Foods and then as UK Head of Sales for Vita Coco Coconut Water, Surrey-based Jessica used her expertise to create Outfox – a delicious new range of premium non-alcoholic wine alternatives crafted from a mix of French and Italian grapes, spring water and notes of Sauvignon. Available in a White or Rosé option, Outfox contains a quarter of the calories of wine and half the sugar of a tonic. Outfox is here to revolutionise the 'dry drinking' trend and, as Official Wine Partners of Dry January 2019, the brand is working with Alcohol Change UK to support people in their efforts to either moderate their alcohol intake or abstain altogether. For more information, see www.outfoxdrinks.com

About Laurie McCallister (Panellist)
Laurie McAllister is a yoga teacher, digital marketing expert and writer of alcohol-free lifestyle blog girlandtonic.co.uk. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Guardian, The Times, Glamour Magazine, BBC Radio 4 and Stylist. She stopped drinking at 25, is two and a half years sober and loves teetotal life. For more information, see www.girlandtonic.co.uk.