Flagship Addiction Treatment Training Centre Opens in Warminster
24 April 2008
On 17th April Action on Addiction's new Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies officially opened its doors to students.
At 1.30pm Annette Dale-Perera, Director of Quality at the National Treatment Agency and Tim Leighton, Director of CATS, cut the ribbon that signified the official opening.
It is the first charity-owned training centre in the addiction field to deliver degree level professional education.
They were joined by Dr Faith Butt, Director for the Division of Lifelong Learning at Bath University, Mrs Veronica Burden, Mayor of Warminster, Professor John Strang, Director of the National Addiction Centre, Dave Mulvaney of RAPt and over 70 people from the addiction field.
Guests enjoyed a tour of the centre, which is based in a Georgian Manor House. Guests also enjoyed a delicious lunch in a garden marquee that despite blustery weather provided an ideal setting for the occasion.
Speaking at the event Nick Barton, Joint Chief-Executive of Action on Addiction said:
"As a charity, we cannot treat every person or support every family that is affected by addiction. We can however make a serious contribution to seeing that patients and clients - wherever it may be - receive treatment, care and support of a standard that significantly improves their chances of a good outcome."
The centre works in collaboration with the University of Bath and was the first in the UK to offer a Foundation Degree Course in Addictions Counselling, and the first to offer a B.Sc. (Hons) in Addictions Counselling.
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Tim Leighton, Director of Action on Addiction's new Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies says,
"Helping committed and talented people gain knowledge and confidence so that they can go out and make a difference to the lives of people affected by addiction: that is what I most enjoy and value in my work and in the work of my colleagues. I've been doing this for 20 years now and I still love it. That is why I am delighted to be opening this new training centre."
The opening of this special centre highlights the success that the higher education training programme has seen in recent years.
David Clark, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Swansea says,
"There has been a long-standing shortage of well-trained professionals in the substance misuse field. Action on Addiction is leading the way in tackling this problem, providing top quality training and education courses that set a benchmark."
Graduates emerge with the knowledge and skills that enable them to work in a variety of addiction treatment settings. Action on Addiction believes that arming counsellors with these skills will help us achieve our vision of people free from addiction.
Background Information
CATS, part of Action on Addiction, was formerly Clouds Professional Education, Training and Research department.
Addiction is the biggest preventable killer in the UK. It breaks up families, damages communities and destroys lives. In some way it touches us all.
Action on Addiction
We take action to disarm addiction. We do this through research, treatment, family support, education and training.
For further information contact Nicola Brian on 020 7793 1011 or email Nicola.brian@actiononaddiction.org.uk