Today marks 36 years of BDP. That’s 36 years of supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our society. 36 years of pursuing evidence-based treatment methods. 36 years of challenging stigma where we see it. And 36 years of being available for YOU if you decide you want to make changes around your drug and/or alcohol use.
BDP was started by a group of impassioned probation officers and people with lived experience who saw a lack of provision for people who use drugs in Bristol and stepped up to fill that need. Since then, BDP has grown and evolved but we still operate by the same philosophy as those early days; to support some of the most vulnerable members of our society in an open and inclusive service and to challenge the prejudice which people with drug or alcohol problems still experience. This remains a major barrier to people seeking the support they need.
So on this day of celebration, we want to bring you inside our services. To do this, we’ve asked two staff members to give you an insight into their role and what they get up to on a day to day basis. Of course, every member of staff has a unique story, and every team has a whole raft of responsibilities beyond the scope of this article, but if you enjoy this insight and would like to read more, please do let us know.
First up is Liana, who is part of our Shared Care team. Shared Care workers work out of GP surgeries to assist GPs by providing expert drug and alcohol treatment knowledge, handling prescriptions and other routes into drug and alcohol treatment.
“I have been a Shared Care Worker at BDP for what seems like forever, but of course, this is not actually the case. I have held several different positions across BDP and feel like I’ve found my home in Shared Care. What I like the most about Shared Care is that we get to work with service users for as long as they need support. I have the time to build solid relationships with my clients and support them to achieve real change.
“A day in my life as a Shared Care Worker is busy; that is the most honest answer. You never know what the day will bring and you certainly don’t have time to look at the clock. The bustle is what makes my role interesting and varied, however. I love the variety of working in and out of the office and in GP surgeries, as it makes me feel like I am part of four different teams.
“What makes my role, though is building relationships with the service users on my caseload. Some will complete and exit treatment quickly, some may be returning, and others may take much longer. This is just the complex nature of the problems these individuals are facing. As a worker, we cannot force an individual to make changes they do not want to make but the ability to build trust and rapport with our clients gives us the best opportunity to enable them to make the changes that are right for them at that point in time. Sometimes I feel I know them as well as my family and friends; I have met their children, their partners, their mums and sometimes even their grannies.”
Next is Becky, who recently returned to BDP to join our Early Engagement and Intervention (EEI) team after previously volunteering with us.
“It may be a cliche, but every day is never the same in the EEI team. The BDP building is bustling, and this, along with our outreach programme, means the working week is incredibly varied. Whether it is offering someone a cup of tea and a chat or issuing the lifesaving overdose reversal drug naloxone, there is always something different happening.
“This variety is what I enjoy the most about my role. From being downstairs in our drop-in space, known as the advice centre, to taking the service out via in-reach to hostels or via street outreach; BDP are continuously trying to get harm reduction out there. By doing so, we can provide support to those who may struggle to access it without, such as via our nursing service, which can be invaluable to individuals who find it difficult to get a GP appointment, let alone physically get to their surgery.
“We are so lucky to have a mix of volunteers and staff from all different backgrounds, something as an inclusive service BDP prides itself on. Having started as a volunteer, I know just how much you are able (and encouraged) to get involved in. This is not only important for those who walk through the door but for the growth and development of the organisation as a whole. I feel that I am able to continuously learn within the role and expand my knowledge, with new ideas welcomed and cheered on.”
BDP is committed to making our services accessible and appropriate for the needs of all of the different people and demographics that make up our community here in Bristol.
One of these services is our Women’s Morning group. Women’s Morning is a social support group that runs out of our Central Bristol premises. The group is a weekly chance for women with past or current alcohol or drug use to meet and talk to other women in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. From the feedback on the sessions, this mutual support is highly valued by the attendees:
All the staff and service users are lovely and very accepting. It’s a place we can always feel safe, and it is somewhere we can make friends with people who understand each other’s addiction.
This safe space has proven beneficial to the attendees who have told us they can connect and share their experiences with people who understand their situation and listen without judgment.
Another key benefit of the group is being able to build a strong rapport with the specialist drug and alcohol workers who run the group. The building of these relationships between the worker and attendee means there is a level of trust and background knowledge built up, which can be invaluable to both parties when navigating distressing issues. Attendees can also access our specialist drug and alcohol nurses, who can provide health care interventions without going to a GP.
There are also many activities laid on including visiting speakers, quizzes, arts and crafts and bingo.
A common barrier for women accessing services is child care. For this reason, we have a free creche service so women can bring their children to be looked after whilst they attend the group.
Due to ongoing restrictions on room capacities, Women’s Morning is currently running at a limited capacity. If you, or someone you are working with, would like to attend the group, please contact us on 0117 987 6000 or email info@bdp.org.uk.
A recent survey highlights that 100% of women in Bristol have experienced sexual harassment in some form. A new Bristol Nights campaign is set to tackle this type of harassment head on.
The project has an ambition to train 1,000 night-time economy workers in dealing with incidents of sexual harassment. This introductory training has been specially designed in collaboration with Night Time Economy and VAWG agencies, and delivered in partnership with Bristol City Centre BID. This training will support venue staff to implement a zero tolerance approach in Bristol, while also promoting the need for anyone witnessing any unwanted behaviour in the city’s night-time economy to immediately call it out to staff. The project also includes a limited bursary for low-income and freelance night time workers to be able to undertake the training.
Nighttime workers and businesses can sign up now to take part in training sessions throughout March.
The campaign from Bristol City Council utilises £282,000 to improve women’s safety, following a successful bid for the Home Office’s Safety of Women at Night Fund.
“Improving the safety of women at night is vital, and a challenge which cannot be achieved without allies throughout the city. Following a two month research phase involving a range of Bristol audiences, this project will seek to improve public understanding of what constitutes harassment and how often it happens. We know that many crimes against women at night go unreported but are widely witnessed. This campaign invites bystanders to call out bad behaviour, while empowering those working in the night-time economy to recognise and execute a zero tolerance response to harassment in their venues and workplaces.
“Our nightlife communities care about the safety and wellbeing of people enjoying our night time. This is such an important message.. We need to let the people of Bristol know that women deserve to feel welcome in the city after dark and as such, we invite all Bristolians to join our zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment.”
“Survey responses also demonstrate that the behaviours which the public feel constitutes sexual harassment are also widely debated. This is telling of the complexity of the issue and that a campaign highlighting what constitutes sexual harassment as well as actions they should take when faced with an incident of harassment is so critical.”
The campaign will start with the ‘Shine A Light’ Parade. On the 24th of March, people from the night-time economy in Bristol will lead groups through the city streets, dressed in and carrying lights. The parade will end at Lloyd’s Amphitheatre where speakers and artists will inspire the crowds with performances, poems and stories, inviting Bristol to join together in a zero tolerance approach to the harassment of women in the city. To join the parade join the Facebook event.
More than 1,000 billboards and posters will be placed across the city, and content will be shared on social media to raise awareness and direct people to the campaign website for resources and support.
Starting next week, our Mobile Harm Reduction Service is back on the move as we take the service to two locations in South Bristol.
We’ve listened to people who live in South Bristol and use our services who have said it can be difficult and expensive to make the long trip into Central Bristol to visit our Brunswick Square location. In order to make our services more accessible to those in South Bristol we will be taking our Mobile Harm Reduction Service to two different locations a week in the south of the city. The two locations will be Filwood Library and Hartcliffe Morrisons Car Park.
What’s on offer?
If you visit the MHRS you will be able to:
Get support, advice and information about anything concerning alcohol and other drugs
Speak to an expert drug and alcohol worker
Get free clean injecting equipment
Get access to the lifesaving overdose reversal drug naloxone
Referrals into drug and alcohol treatment services in Bristol
Get tested for blood-borne viruses
When?
We will be at Filwood Library on Mondays 11am-3pm on:
28th February, 7th March & 14th March
We will be at Hartcliffe Morrisons on Wednesdays 11am-3pm on:
On Tuesday 23rd November, we presented the premiere of Filling the Void, a documentary about Bristol Recovery Orchestra. We had a fantastic evening enjoying live music and watching two films in the amazing space provided by Bristol Beacon. It was great to see so many of you the after the tickets sold out in advance. Our own Rising Voices Recovery Choir kicked things off with two moving songs and contributions from choir members about the vital role Rising Voices plays in their lives. We Are Not Saints artist Ella Hayes stunned the crowd with her fantastic voice and original songs, while Deiphos Jay continued the evening with his catchy tunes and engaging stage presence. Man Like Malcolm rounded out the musical performances with his incredible guitar playing and on-stage patter that had the crowd in stitches.
About the film
Filling the Void showcases the music and moving personal stories of Bristol Recovery Orchestra – A creative support group run by BDP and supported by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. It features interviews with the players and organisers concluding with the orchestra performing at the Reconnect, Recharge, Recover event in July 2021.
You can watch the film in full below.
Want to see more from BDP Creative Communities? Check out this playlist of our previous videos on our YouTube channel
About the director
Irene Carter is a documentary filmmaker originally from Bristol and based in London. She began her career studying documentary at Open City Doc School, where her graduation film was nominated for a prestigious RTS award. Her films focus on compelling stories about complex people with heart and humour at their centre. She works as a freelance filmmaker and develops new documentary ideas for a production company in London.
Our Creative Community groups sit outside of our main funding streams so are entirely funded by the goodwill of people like you by donating and by grant providers and other not-for-profit funders. If you value the work we do to support people through these creative support groups, please donate by visiting this link – https://bdp.enthuse.com/creativecommunities#!/
