Some news from us

We are sad to announce that our Chief Executive Officer, Anna Smith will be stepping down from her role with us on the 24^th December.  

Anna started with us in July 2023 following the untimely passing of our previous CEO Maggie Telfer. Whilst not an easy situation to come into, Anna has steered BDP to calmer waters with poise and a level head.  

In her time here Anna has been doing vital work behind the scenes to improve many of our systems including reviewing and updating many of our policies and procedures, bringing our IT infrastructure up to speed and creating a system of working groups aimed at ensuring our services are accessible for every member of our community both as service users and as staff. 

Crucially however, Anna has led BDP through the process of the recommissioning of drug and alcohol services in Bristol. We have formed a new and exciting partnership with both national and local providers and have been commissioned to begin delivering services from 1^st of April 2025. Anna’s commitment to partnership working and knowledge of Bristol’s voluntary sector have helped pave the way for a treatment system will better meet the needs of the people who use alcohol and other drugs in Bristol.  

Anna says: 

“I am sad to be leaving BDP but very proud of the place I leave it in. The team have encountered and welcomed an enormous amount of change over the last 18 months and risen to the occasion every time. Against the backdrop of significant change, the tenacity of our staff in all areas of work, including building trust and engagement, has continued to impress me. Possibly what I love most is that staff are modest, committed, put the client first and support each other. This approach will be taken into our new partnership with Turning Point and seven other specialist local partners to continue and improve our service in the new chapter of our work, starting 1st April. 2025 will be a great year for BDP.” 

Lydia Plant will be stepping up as Interim CEO from her previous role as Director of Operations. Lydia says: 

“On behalf of BDP, I want to say a huge thank you to Anna for navigating us through this period of enormous change.  We have appreciated Anna’s leadership, care for staff and of course, delicious baking! Anna’s commitment to making our services better has driven us to do more, especially around equity, diversity and inclusion and this is an area we are committed to continuing to work hard at.  

BDP has long been a beacon of hope and change in Bristol, advocating for the dignity, safety, and well-being of people who use alcohol and other drugs. As Interim CEO, I am committed to ensuring these values continue to guide us. 2025 will be an exciting year for BDP as we form new partnerships and work towards the launch of a new treatment system on 1st April, as well as continuing to find new ways of making sure that we are there for those who need us.” 

We wish Anna the best of luck in her new role as CEO of Quartet and want to say a big thank you from everyone at BDP for putting us in the best possible position to continue to do what is closet to our hearts moving into the next phase of our history; reducing the harms faced by people who use drugs and alcohol and working with them to make any changes they want to make in their lives.