For most of you, it’s been over a year since you last let loose on a dancefloor which means you might be a bit out of practice. After such a long break, it’s important to refresh on some of the harm reduction advice that might’ve been forgotten, especially with lowered drug tolerance and so much pent up excitement. Remember that harm reduction is about reducing risk, so your night out is one to remember (and doesn’t end at 9pm in a taxi home).
#startlowtakeitslow
There’s going to be a lot of pent up energy being released this summer, so please pace yourself! Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and if you’re using other drugs, start with a test dose and wait at least an hour before redosing.
Avoid mixing
Combining drugs (including alcohol!) significantly increases the risks. Try to stick to one for the night. If you’re going to mix, check how different substances interact and use a lower dose of each drug than you usually would.
Look Out for Your Mates
It’s going to be hectic out there so keep an eye on each other. If someone looks like they’re having a shit time, find a quieter spot and check in with them. Tell each other what you’re taking and don’t pressure anyone to do anything they don’t want to.
Hydrate
Water is your friend, so make sure you drink enough of it – half a pint to a pint of water an hour is ideal. Go for the higher end of that scale if you’re dancing/hot and sweaty. Take a breather from the dancefloor now and then to give yourself a chance to cool down.
Plan your Journey Home
Make sure you and your mates can get home safe. If you’re making your way home alone, share your location with someone you trust so they can see when you get back. Don’t drive if you’ve used alcohol or other drugs.
Safe Sex
Alcohol and other drugs affect our judgement. Think about how this might be affecting your and your potential partner’s ability to consent to sex. Only proceed if you’re sure you’re both keen. Carry contraception and make sure you use it! You can pick up free condoms and lube from BDP. If it’s been a while since your last sexual health screening, you can order a home test kit.
Managing Emergencies
If you or your mates use drugs, it’s really important you know what to do in a drug-related emergency because it’s likely that if something goes wrong, you’ll be aware before security/a steward/a medical professional.
The Drop Team With clubs closed and festivals cancelled for the foreseeable future, it’s totally understandable that peopl…
Have you lost touch with playing music through your drug and alcohol use? Can you play an acoustic instrument?
BDP is excited to host 3 days of FREE summer music workshops for anyone affected by drug and alcohol problems who can play an acoustic instrument to beginners standard
Led by Jonathan James with support from musicians from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Bristol Recovery Orchestra – the workshops will be based upon themes of re/connecting to community, recovery and creativity whilst living through a pandemic. Days 1 and 2 will be open workshops and day 3 will be for people who would like to take part in a filmed performance with Bournemouth Symphony players to showcase what we have created.
Our event will provide a space to reunite the recovery community post lockdown to Reconnect, Recharge and Recover through music-making. We will mark who and what has been lost through the pandemic and celebrate the importance of human connection for healthy and thriving communities.
BDP has run weekly music groups for the recovery community in Bristol since 2014. These sessions continued throughout the pandemic, where we ran the sessions both online and in-person, which has proven to be a lifeline for the attendees during a difficult time.
The details:
Reconnect Recharge Recover will take place on 15th – 17th of July and will be hosted at Redland Park URC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS6 6SA. Booking for the event is essential due to limited spaces because of COVID restrictions. There will be a handful of instruments available for use on the day and lunch will also be provided.
Our Behind The Scenes series of webinars continues, this time focussing on the dissociative drug, ketamine.
Ketamine has a myriad of uses both in a medical and recreational setting. We will discuss the qualities of the drug that make it popular in these settings and discuss the harm reduction support available as well as how you can access services for yourself or for someone you may know.
What is Behind The Scenes?
Behind The Scenes is BDP’s monthly webinar series that invites you into our services and shines a light onto the how and why we do what we do.
Continuing our celebration of the time and effort that volunteers have contributed to our work here at BDP as part of this years Volunteers Week, we have Millie’s story of her experience with volunteering at BDP.
I started volunteering for BDP at the start of March 2021, having moved to Bristol in November. Before this, I studied Human Geography at the University of Leeds and completed a Master’s in Educational Psychology at the University of York.
I feel like I have learnt so much already, I’m so pleased with how much fantastic training I have had with the charity so far and all of the great people that I have been able to meet, even in the midst of a pandemic.
I have always loved working with people and helping others, so when I moved to Bristol I was keen to gain experience in this sector. I was impressed with the support offered by BDP and its excellent reputation across Bristol (every one I have spoken to about the charity has nothing but praise). I work part-time in a secondary school, supporting students with learning and mental health difficulties, and volunteer for BDP on Tuesday afternoons which works around my other commitments.
My experience at BDP so far has been really positive. Deb and Jasmine (BDP’s volunteer managers) welcomed us with open arms and facilitated some fantastic training. Our sessions started at the end of February during the peak of the national lockdown, so we all really appreciated having some in-person training and an opportunity to meet each other before continuing on Zoom. The training was so interesting, and it was clear how much effort Deb and Jasmine had put into the sessions to make them engaging and valuable. Whatever question came their way, they were able to answer it with brilliant insight. I was impressed at how in-depth the training was and I am excited to keep learning more throughout my time at BDP!
Since then, I have mainly been working on the helpline. Having watched Deb on this for my first two shifts, I was very apprehensive about flying solo. It seemed like all sorts of calls could come through and it is quite a large field to navigate with all of the different support that’s available across the city. However, my helpline shifts have gone much better than expected, most of the callers have been really appreciative for the support and others in the office have been very helpful during the more challenging calls. I am definitely building confidence on the helpline and learning more each time.
Aside from this, I have also shadowed a couple of triages with Sorcha and Jack, and I have been pleasantly surprised at how thorough they are. It has been an insight into how initial assessments are carried out, as I am interested in pursuing a psychology/mental health-related career in the future. More recently, I also attended the Wet Clinic with Jack, Rosa and a couple of other volunteers. I had never heard of this service before the training and I didn’t know what to expect, but I was really impressed at how welcoming the space was. It’s so important that people can seek medical (or other) support whilst having the option to drink alcohol. All of the professionals there were so lovely and helpful to both the service users and us as volunteers.
I feel like I have learnt so much already, I’m so pleased with how much fantastic training I have had with the charity so far and all of the great people that I have been able to meet, even in the midst of a pandemic. I am currently making my way through the Needle Exchange training, and in the past couple of weeks, I attended a session on Breaking Free Online and Psychedelic First Aid Training. I’m keen to get involved in as much as possible in the near future and I look forward to meeting everyone at the social in August! 😊
Thanks for your insight Millie! If you are interested in volunteering at BDP please check out our volunteering page here.
Volunteers’ Week takes place between 1-7 June every year and is a time for us to recognise and thank the volunteers who have been an integral part of BDP since our beginnings in 1986.
During an exceptionally difficult year, people from all walks of life have taken the time to volunteer and made a huge difference to people and their communities – just as they do every year.
BDP would like to thank our new and existing volunteers that have helped during the last 12 months and to thank those who usually volunteer but have not been able to because of the pandemic.
Volunteers have been at the heart of BDP since our inception over 30 years ago. A HUGE THANKYOU to all our volunteers past and present for the passion, commitment and energy you bring. You add real diversity in your views and experiences. You push us to remain contemporary and in touch. And you spread BDP’s passion to reduce the stigma which keeps many people experiencing difficulty with drugs or alcohol from seeking support. Your voices reach communities and current and future workplaces which we simply couldn’t do without you. Thank you for sharing your time, skills and connections with such generosity.
Rachel Ayres – Policy and Quality Development Worker
Despite the Covid – 19 restrictions, we successfully recruited and trained 10 new BDP volunteers in February this year. We trained people using a mixture of online and face to face methods – something new for all of us. They have joined our existing team of volunteers are busily involved in our helpline, wet clinics, making up safer injecting packs, making weekly calls to members of our group for over 50 year olds, and recording vital information about Naloxone and Blood Borne Virus testing.
We also are over the moon to announce that we successfully renewed our Investing In Volunteering accreditation – in the midst of a pandemic! Thanks to all the volunteers and staff who contributed to the assessment and writing up.
Volunteers are the beating heart of BDP and we are so grateful for the time, commitment, experience, knowledge, compassion and fresh perspectives our volunteers bring.
Anyone interested in volunteering at BDP in the future please follow the link below to find our volunteers sign up for or email recruitment@bdp.org.uk.
This week is a #mentalhealthawarenessweek, a yearly event that aims to bring awareness and support to the millions of us around the world who experience an issue with our mental health.
The theme for this years event is nature, so we have put together this handy list for some inspiration.
After this past year of lockdown, there’s no better time to get out and connect with the natural environment around you.
Top tips:
It doesn’t have to be far
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to go far from home, there is often some great outside space close to home. Why not check out this lists of parks in Bristol for inspiration https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/parks-and-gardens.
Focus on yourself
Take this time away from your everyday life to have a moment of quiet with yourself. This year has been hectic, and it can be hard to grab a moments peace at home.
Break some habits
Removing yourself from your everyday routine is an excellent way of separating yourself from things that may potentially trigger negative thoughts or behaviours.
Worried about your own or someone else’s mental health?
Get in touch to discuss to talk to a member of staff about some of the support options available.
