Aled Diplock

Age: 26

Job title

Project Worker (Youth Offending Team & Young Persons Worker)

Main tasks

I am seconded to the Merthyr Tydfil Youth Offending Team for two and a half days per week as the appointed substance misuse worker, which entails working with any young person involved with the YOT that has an issue with drugs and / or alcohol.

The remainder of my time is spent in MIDAS, where my role has recently evolved to hold shared responsibility for any client that accesses the service under the age of 25 years as the Young Persons Worker. I have also recently accepted responsibility to manage the service's needle exchange, which involves monitoring and ordering the stock that is available to clients and distributed in correspondence with Drugaid's 'Needle Exchange Policy'.

I have a particular interest in diversionary activities, which I find have been particularly effective when working with YOT clients. This client group is often regarded as 'hard to reach' and sometimes reluctant to engage, but I have found that gym sessions, for example, work to increase the young people's aspirations, broaden their experiences, and increase confidence. Due to an interest expressed by this group in boxing, I hope to develop a program that will meet their needs and further compliment the service.

Why I got into the work

I became interested in the field of drugs and alcohol while in secondary school due to frustration towards the lack of services and information available for young people, and the school's inability to respond to the evolving trends and obvious needs of its students. I maintained this interest though university and eventually titled my dissertation – "An investigation into the significance of the curiosity element in relation to young people's participation in illegal drug experimentation."

A brief history of how I got into the work

Approaching the end of my time in secondary school I had no idea which direction to go, but then purely by chance found a BA (Hons) Youth and Community Studies course in a University of Wales Newport prospectus, successfully applied, and embarked on a five year career in youth work and community education with the nationally recognised Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Youth and Community Project.

I came across an advert for a Project Worker with Drugaid in 'The Big Issue' publication, and following an interview was fortunate enough to be offered the post and started in July 2007.

My personal hobbies / interests include combat sports particularly boxing, and most aspects of physical fitness i.e. weight training, nutrition etc. I also love nature and wildlife and enjoy nothing more than a nice relaxing walk with my dogs on Cilsanws mountain.

< Back to Meet the Team