Waypoint Training is the training department of Airedale Voluntary Drug and Alcohol Agency (trading as Project 6). We offer training because it helps to further Project 6’s Core Purpose :
“To provide opportunities and choices for individuals, families and communities to create meaningful and sustainable change in their wellbeing.”
Our training furthers this core purpose, and aims to share good practice to improve the wellbeing of society as a whole.
Originally developed to train our own volunteer counsellors back in the 1990s, we began as Sheffield Alcohol Advisory Service’s training team. SAAS Training then offered mostly knowledge and skills-based training based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for people supporting substance users as well as a range of courses for service users themselves. This was in both Specialist Substance Use Services as well as non-substance use services such as housing, mental health, medical staff, workers in the criminal justice system, and so on. In the 2000’s we worked with colleagues from similar charities (in Rotherham and Barnsley) in a partnership known as Drugtrain. This partnership worked with Sheffield Hallam University to develop the Certificate (HE) in Drug and Alcohol Counselling.
As funding shifted, the charity as a whole shifted from a commissioned treatment provider to a recovery organisation. The charity expanded its focus from drug and alcohol use to working with families needing intensive support. SAAS Training became Sheffield Alcohol Support Service (SASS) Training for a couple of years then, reflecting our broadening customer base, we rebranded to a non-geographical and non-substance specific identity and became Waypoint.
Over the last 15 years we have trained thousands of people, from Local Authorities to NHS departments, from national charities to small community groups. Being embedded in a charity that works with people who have complex needs, our trainers have daily contact with service users and the staff and volunteers who support them. This unique perspective brings our training to life with examples and applications drawn from our extensive work in the field and our learners often comment how refreshing it is to have experienced practitioners design and deliver the training, not just from some textbook but from face to face work.
SASS merged with Project 6 in Keighley, combining two projects with social justice and whole person perspectives at their hearts. Project 6 historically had a greater focus on harm reduction approaches, the training offer has been combined to broaden Waypoint’s offer.
One of the main reasons people are interested in our training is because we are passionate about being at the cutting edge of new research relating to personal growth, health and well-being and social justice. This helps our customers with responding to changing environments and the associated transitions.
Compassion is at the heart of our training offer and at the heart of the values of our organisation. Compassion is how we strive to work with each other and with you. We walk our talk.
We pride ourselves in developing innovative solutions for our customers’ needs, including opportunities for blended learning. We are an approved centre for both City and Guilds and the Skills and Education Group (incorporating Certa) Awarding Bodies and can offer a range of qualifications, accredited training and quality assured non-accredited training.
