Our Time as BDP Trainees

Trainee Q&A

We catch up with some of our Trainees, as they finish the end of their one year placement in BDP’s front-line services, working within our Health and Harm Reduction Centre, Needle Exchanges and Treatment Services.

How did you feel when you first started your trainee placement?

“I was quite nervous. I knew I was joining an organisation with vast amounts of experience and expertise and was conscious that I had very little of either. But in a short year, my confidence has grown immensely. I have benefited from lots of different training, and my skills working with clients has grown alongside of that.”

“When I first joined BDP I was nervous, but after a few weeks I felt comfortable with everyone. I think it’s important to build relationships with the other trainees because you can support each other through it. I am more confident in my knowledge of harm reduction and the different pathways available. Most challenges enable you to improve your problem solving.”

Has your personal experience in recovery shaped your traineeship?

“It has helped me to not to judge, to know that everyone has potential, no matter what their current circumstances are. There was a time that I felt I could never unravel the tangled mess my life had became, but now I believe that anything is possible.”

How have you benefited from support from staff and other trainees?

“Every staff member has helped me in some way. They have all been brilliant, always encouraging me to ask questions, and have shared their knowledge and experience generously.”

“Throughout my year’s training I felt very encouraged and held as an employee and have also made some lovely friends. I have grown in confidence as an individual around people and also in my abilities as an employee. My experience has been priceless in terms of the internal reward its given me and the position I am now in to carry on in working in drug and alcohol services.”

What are your hopes for the future?

“My hopes for the future are develop as a Recovery Worker and to also consistently maintain my own recovery.”

“I hope to work in the addiction field in some capacity, I hope that the knowledge and skills that I have gained can be put to use somewhere else.”

What advice would you give to the new group of BDP Trainees?

“To keep believing in yourself, be honest and don’t be afraid to ask for help with anything.”

“They saw something in you when they interviewed you be confident in knowing that there is potential in you that will be drawn out.”

We want to thank all our Trainees for their hard work and dedication over the past year and wish them all the best of luck in their future. We look forward to welcoming our new set of Trainees this week. Stay tuned for more details.