Volunteers Week 2020

It’s National Volunteers’ Week – the annual celebration run by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, to raise awareness of the contribution volunteers make across the UK every single day.

Although COVID-19 means that this year’s Volunteers Week is very different – we still want to use the opportunity to say a big thank you to our fantastic volunteers who have always made our work possible and who have been supporting us, however they can, during these difficult times to allow us to continue to support some of the most vulnerable people in Bristol.

I’d like to express my gratitude to all who have, and currently do, volunteer at BDP. Over 34 years almost 1000 people have done so and long may it continue!

– Ed, BDP Volunteer Manager

This Volunteers Week we asked Maddie, one of our new Project Volunteers, to let us know how her first few months at BDP has been, during these challenging times…

“I have been volunteering at BDP since the start of this year, and although this year might have been crazier than previous ones, I have really enjoyed the variety of tasks and the innovative thinking at BDP.

“The team are always looking to improve and grow their services, making them more accessible and I always feel so honoured to play just a small part in that. Despite the many negative impact’s lockdown has had on everything, there have been some exciting and positive outcomes from BDP, with our volunteer roles changing and adapting to meet the needs of our service users.

“As volunteers, we are kept up to date with regular email newsletters about BDP activities and are provided with online training resources to keep us busy during lockdown. This speaks volumes for the amount of support and effort that BDP go to for everyone! 

“Before lockdown, volunteering at BDP consisted of working in the needle exchange and on their helpline – but no shift is really the same and there is no predicting what the pace of the day will be. Currently, volunteers at BDP are in a couple times a week; packing the safer injecting kits, on the helpline and organising the activity packs which are being delivered to homeless people self isolating at hostels across Bristol. 

“Volunteering at BDP is my favourite part of the week, and I am looking forward to growing and learning with the team.”