Join our team

Volunteers are the lifeblood of charities. It’s said so often because it’s true.

Our volunteers help us keep every area of our operation up and running. And it’s a big operation. Whether it’s supporting our admin team, assisting our trainers in delivering courses, or being part of the Buzzin’ project, volunteers keep us moving

Our team are a hard-working group, but also some of the friendliest and supportive people you’re likely to meet. It comes from the fact that we all believe strongly in the same cause, and we appreciate others who do so, too.

How it works

It’s simple. Just fill out our volunteer application form. Let us know you’re interested in VOLocity – that’s our general volunteering programme.

We’ll train you. On the VOLocity programme, you’ll receive three days of training, including our Substance Misuse Awareness course.

After that, we’ll have a chat with you about what volunteer positions you’re interested in; we’ll base this in your experience and knowledge. You’ve got skills, and we want to use them.

Want to volunteer in the wider substance misuse sector? That’s covered under VOLocity, too.

The Opportunities

Buzzin Project

Why we need you

With honeybee populations declining in Wales, this creature is just one of the insect pollinators that is becoming endangered and is severely threatened in the UK and elsewhere around the world. By volunteering, you are vital in communicating our message that we can all have a part to play in protecting them.

We need volunteers to support the work that is carried out on the Buzzin’ project.

Roles available

Volunteer Project Coach

Volunteer Project Coordinator and administrator

MILE support volunteer

Why we need you

MILE is a 10 week specialist volunteering programme for people who have lived experience of substance misuse and feels ready to volunteer and help others.

What activities you could be involved in

  • Group activity support
  • Recording on flip chart during group discussions
  • Support volunteers to complete Employability and Personal Development Award
  •  Support volunteers with basic reading and writing skills
  • Confidence building
  • Photo copying
  • Support group facilitator to prepare sessions
  • Group discussion input

What skills and abilities you will need to have 

Good communications and listening skills, patience, non-judgemental attitude, appropriate and professional behaviour, reliability, willingness to learn and develop.

OpenLinks Volunteer

Why we need you

OpenLinks is service user involvement group for NewLink Wales. This group is set up to look at how NewLink Wales works, develop ideas for future services and announce events. Along with the Chair, everything then gets discussed with the C.E.O and then any updates to be fed back into the group.

More info...

What activities you could be involved in 

Volunteer Chair

  • Keeping meeting in order
  • Making sure everyone views are heard
  • Ensuring the meeting keeps within the selected time frame
  • Adhering to confidentiality rules and procedures
  • Liaise with the OpenLinks co-ordinator to promote future OpenLinks meetings
  • Attend Carduff & Asfa meetings to keep up to date with what’s going on in the service user movement

Volunteer Vice Chair

In partnership with the Chair organise the agenda for each meeting.

Step in to cover chair duties as and when the chair is unavailable

Volunteer Secretary

Writing minutes

Preparing and photocopying paper work for each meeting, including previous minutes, agenda, signing in sheets.

Liasing with OpenLinks Co-ordinator to provide info and feedback to put on NewLink Wales social media sitess.

What skills and abilities you will need to have

  • Confidence in speaking to a group of people
  • Motivated
  • Professionalism
  • Genuine interest service user involvement
  • Understanding and preparing an agenda for each meeting
  • Setting clear boundaries for each meeting

Training Team Support Volunteer

Why we need you

The training team at NewLink Wales is a busy team that run a wide range of training for professionals and volunteers throughout the whole of Wales. They need a volunteer to assist them with administrative duties, which range from copy typing to formatting and standardising documents.

More Info.....

What activities you could be involved in

  • Copy typing for minutes and observational records
  • Updating marketing database
  • Setting up employability files for Health and Social Care Assessor
  • Scanning candidate files and sending the documents to the relevant page on the local drive.
  • Formatting qualifications and training packs

What skills and abilities you will need to have

  • Good computer skills and ability to use Microsoft office (Word/ Excel/Outlook)
  • Good organisational skills
  • Ability to communicate at all levels
  • Good time management

NewSteps Buddy

Why we need you

NewSteps is a project based in Cardiff and the Vale, working to place volunteers in environmental settings. It is to support people who are new into recovery and want to keep themselves busy as well as get involved in their communities.

What activities you could be involved in

  • Supporting our volunteers whilst they are on their placements, with such tasks as meeting them to go on a bus to their placement
  • Shadowing them in their first few weeks of their volunteering

What skills and abilities you will need to have

  • Good communication skills
  • Good time management
  • An empathetic and non judgemental attitude

Community Fundraising Ambassador

Why we need you:

In order for NewLink Wales to maintain its services, there is a need to raise the profile of NewLink Wales in your community.  This will lead to developing loyal groups and individuals who will raise funds and awareness for NewLink Wales. 

Your local knowledge puts you in a perfect position for NewLink Wales to become the charity to support in your community!

More info.....

What activities you could be involved in: 

  • Distributing/managing collection tins and marketing materials,
  • Attending/arranging local events,
  • Presenting to community groups,
  • Researching potential community groups/business to approach for support,
  • You would be able to develop your own ideas, contacts and opportunities in partnership with the Community Fundraiser.

What skills and abilities you will need to have

  • Confidence,
  • Imagination
  • Literacy & numeracy
  • Good level of IT skills,
  • Good communication/presentation skills,
  • Organisation skills,
  • Ability to work independently and use initiative,
  • Punctuality
  • Flexibility
  • Enthusiastic and fun approach
  • Understanding of the work of NewLink Wales