Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player


** New opportunities to join the NewLink Wales team! Visit our Vacancies page for details!**

NewLink Wales

We are an independent substance misuse organisation operating throughout Wales offering training throughout the UK.

NewLink Wales is a key service provider for substance misuse training, volunteering and specialist community engagement services supporting Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) communities.

Key Highlights

  • In the last year we have provided training to 674 individuals and 65 programmed and bespoke courses took place around Wales.
    35 individuals have enrolled to start their qualifications with us this year.

  • Over 1000 volunteer applications have been received since 2001, and in the last year the organisation has placed 91 volunteers within agencies.

  • This year our services to BME Communities has provided information to 2145 individuals representing over 30 different ethnic communities,
    through information desks, education workshops, and a community outreach services.

  • In 2011 the organisation came under new leadership, restructured and rebranded – marking a completely fresh start for the charity.

Find out more about us in our brand new Annual Report!

pdf Annual Report 2011 - 2012

Our Services

Our services are essential so that the treatment services we support can focus on providing treatment.

The purpose of NewLink Wales is to support the sector in maintaining standards of practice and treatment effectiveness to support strategic delivery and promote recovery from substance misuse.

Training & Qualifications

We have a programme of courses that we deliver throughout Wales as well as offering a wide range of bespoke courses that can be delivered throughout the UK. Many of our courses and qualifications are accredited through the University of Wales, City and Guilds and the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and everything we do is mapped to the drug and alcohol national occupation standards, among other relevant standards.

All our trainers have been experienced practitioners themselves and have previously worked in the substance misuse sector, meaning that we can offer a wide range of courses to meet your individual needs.

We offer a variety of City and Guilds and ILM qualifications to suit everyone; from service users, practitioners, team leaders to senior and strategic managers.

All our assessors are fully qualified and experienced in the qualifications that they assess and provide individual support for all candidates to make sure that they are fully supported to complete their qualification to the highest quality standard.

All staff within NewLink Wales complete regular continuous professional development to ensure their knowledge, skills and competence are up to date and relevant to be able to support this fast paced and changing sector.

Training and Qualifications Brochure

Volunteering

We were the first organisation in Wales to achieve the award for Investing in Volunteers. We have the following volunteering programmes:

  • VOLocity – this is for people who have had no previous experience of substance misuse and want to volunteer in substance misuse services.
    All applicants are fully assessed and even have the option of completing an accredited qualification! This looks great on your CV! Check out the Volunteering Opportunities page to see what placements are available!

  • MILE – Mentoring in Learning and Education - this is a specialised programme for people who have had previous issues with substance misuse and wish to move on from their own journey in order to support someone else with theirs.
    MILE is about ex-users being on a level playing field with everyone else so they can volunteer without prejudice. Participants have the option of gaining an accredited City & Guilds qualification as part of this programme.

  • NewSteps – this is a programme for people who are solid in their recovery and nearing the end of treatment but want to volunteer in conservation projects and other good causes.
    Some participants go through group work sessions to build skills and confidence, others prefer to move straight into volunteering.
    Volunteering can fill the void that is left by substance use and also help people to move on from treatment.

  • Youth Volunteer Project – this is a pilot funded by Lloyds TSB aimed at improving the volunteering opportunities available to young people.

Specialist Community Engagement Services

The Axis project is a tier 2 non-treatment specific service to engage BME communities on behalf of the substance misuse sector. This involves:

  • 1-1 support
  • Supporting families
  • Holding education sessions, workshops and information desks

We also provide information packs about different substances in a variety of ethnic languages. The Axis project enables individuals to access treatment while having their cultural needs met.
This team is also supported by volunteers from a variety of different ethnic backgrounds.

A young person’s AXIS project recently launched and is to be proving successful.

Visit our BME Services page for more details.