Volunteering
With 21 years experience we are the major voluntary sector provider of services to drug users and their families in Bristol.
We are committed to anti-discriminatory practice in employment and service provision.
There are three volunteering routes at BDP: Project Volunteers, Counselling Volunteers and the Mentoring Programme. To find out about them please use the menu on the left.
Who can volunteer at BDP?
If people have had experience of drug dependency we would welcome applications from them providing that they have had a year of drug-free living in their community. Individuals may still be vulnerable during this time and being exposed to active clients’ issues may be unhealthy for people without a period of stability. Therefore we cannot consider people who have been in treatment, prison or on a methadone programme during the previous 12 months. Similarly, if someone close to you is experiencing problematic drug use, or you have been receiving services from BDP, this could create a conflict in volunteering at the project. We ask for a period of six months without using our services prior to applying.
What do we look for in volunteers?
BDP has always benefited from having a wide and diverse team of volunteers and worker experience at the Project. Experience of drugs or up-to-date knowledge is not essential as full training is given and experienced workers will always be at hand.
People who have had experience of problematic drug use need to have the ability to work within BDP's harm reduction ethos. This can mean working in a very different way from their own treatment model which may have been, for example, 12 step or Christian. Candidates need to consider carefully prior to applying whether they are able to do this or not.
We also welcome people from ethnic minorities and people with disabilities as these groups are under-represented in our project. However, unfortunately we do not as yet have full disabled access to the building.
We invest a great deal in our volunteers and therefore need people who can offer there time for at least a year, so candidates must have a commitment to attending the training and then working with us. This provides consistency for service users which we feel is very important.
What do volunteers get from BDP?
BDP has gained a great deal of experience in working with volunteers over the last five years. Besides offering the initial training in drug awareness, counselling, Hep C/HIV etc, full on-going training is also provided. This includes coverage of a wide range of topics, for example, prescribing, working with parents and steroid use.
All volunteers have supervision to develop their skills. The vast majority of volunteers at the project move on into paid employment (81%) whilst others use the experience to go on to study for professional qualifications (13%). It is also a chance to develop inter-personal skills and make a positive contribution to the community at large. Volunteers receive on-going support throughout their time at the project amidst a friendly and considerate team.
Will my expenses be paid?
BDP will contribute towards childcare expenses whilst you are working for BDP, travelling to and from BDP and if you are based in the project will pay towards a lunch (see details).
Childcare Expenses
BDP will pay between £2.50 per hour per child up to a maximum of £5.00 per hour, for the hours you are working at the Project.
Travelling Expenses
Your reasonable travel costs from home to the project and return can be claimed, we do not pay car parking fees.
Lunch Expenses
If you work a full morning or all day you can claim for lunch — up to £3.00 per day.