An academic paper exploring a project which used materials co-designed by BDP services users has been published in Harm Reduction Journal. The project promoted the use of Low Dead Space injecting equipment and other harm reduction practices through the co-designed materials.
Low Dead Space equipment has been designed to minimise the amount of space between the needle and the plunger after injecting especially when compared to the traditional injecting equipment currently supplied by needle exchanges who use detachable needs. This is important as blood and drugs can remain in this space increasing the risk of spreading blood borne viruses including HIV and Hepatitis C as more blood could be left in the equipment.
— NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West (@ARC_West) June 10, 2019
Lead paper author Deborah Hussey, from BDP, visited needle exchanges across the country and helped develop the materials with service users when on secondment with CLAHRC West.
As an Assertive Engagement Worker at Bristol Drugs Project, my day job is to help out the person in front of me. But this project has allowed me to help people who inject drugs at a population level, expanding the scope of my passion for harm reduction considerably. It’s been an honour to represent Bristol Drugs Project in this collaboration with CLAHRC West.
The Low Dead Space materials are available to order now from the Exchange Supplies website. For more details about the project please read the paper published in Harm Reduction Journal.
It’s National Volunteers’ Week – a great opportunity for us to say a big thank you to our fantastic volunteers (past and present) who have been making our work possible.
Taking place every year from 1st – 7th June, Volunteer’s Week is campaign ran by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, helping to raise awareness of the contribution volunteers make across the UK every single day.
"I love spending my time here, it gives me a feeling of belonging to Bristol community." ❤️
— BDP | Bristol Drugs Project (@BDProads) June 6, 2019
This Volunteer’s Week we’ve been asking our dedicated Project Volunteers why they enjoy volunteering at BDP. Our Project Volunteers work alongside our Engagement Team in our Health & Harm Reduction Centre, gaining front-line experience answering people’s questions and providing access into services. Here are some of their responses…
I’ve learnt so much through volunteering, I’ve gained new skills and confidence. I really enjoy my afternoon at BDP, each week is different and its always interesting!
Volunteering gives me a warm and uplifting feeling and gives meaning to my life. There is nothing better than providing love, support, advice and help because you want to.
I look forward to come every Wednesday morning ’cause I love spending my time here, it gives me a feeling of belonging to Bristol community.
– Project Volunteers
We also have a fantastic opportunity to volunteer in our Youth Groups (known as M32) for children affected by their parents’ alcohol or drug use. Click here more details.
I found the atmosphere to be very warm and welcoming, the people were really friendly and the kids were absolutely adorable. I took everything M32 has to offer!
Charity fundraiser supports new Recovery Orchestra for musicians affected by alcohol and other drugs.
On Thursday 30th May, BDP presented a Benefit Bash charity fundraiser headlined by an eclectic mix of local musicians, helping to raise funds for the new Bristol Recovery Orchestra.
Headliners The Rin-Tins, DJ DAD and Paul Bradley, joined alongside BDP’s creative arts groups for people affected by alcohol and other drugs including Rising Voices recovery choir, Step Ladder drama group and the Bristol Recovery Orchestra who debuted two new pieces of music.
We celebrate our own imperfections. It’s part of something bigger than ourselves and that’s what makes it powerful and beautiful. There’s the development, there’s the sobriety and growth. That is so beautiful.
The fundraiser was located at the Kuumba Centre on Hepburn Road, a street which was once notoriously depicted in the BAFTA nominated BBC series Drugsland as the drug dealing hotspot “Crack Alley”, so it was a fantastic opportunity to see this area of Bristol hosting a positive event celebrating recovery.
— BDP | Bristol Drugs Project (@BDProads) May 30, 2019
Most musicians and music-lovers will know someone who has struggled with alcohol or other drugs.
Launched in January 2019 with conductor Jonathan James, the Recovery Orchestra is part of a wider programme of free creative groups, hosted weekly by BDP for adults affected by alcohol and other drugs – including family members and professionals and volunteers working in services. Our groups provide safe and supportive environments, to have fun and perform alongside people with similar experiences. Groups are open to adults no matter their experience in arts and performance. Everyone is supported to take part at their own pace.
If you would like to support the Recovery Orchestra, please feel free to make a donation and include a comment that you would like funds to go to the orchestra.
— BDP | Bristol Drugs Project (@BDProads) May 26, 2019
Our Festival Team were located next to the Festival Welfare Services, a great place to provide on-site support to those needing a rest or looking for advice. Our team had lots of positive engagement all throughout the weekend, talking to the festival-goers and giving out practical harm-reduction advice and resources.
After running this year’s London Marathon to support children in Bristol affected by their family members’ drug or alcohol use, local MP Thangam Debboniare visited our Youth Groups to meet the children who will benefiting from the £5,134.75 she’s helped raise.
The children gave a raucous welcome to Thangam who spent nearly two hours joining in with their activities. They proudly showed off the cards and banners they had made for her in thanks and recognition of running the marathon. Thangam was also impressed by the colourful polling box and voting slips the young people had created to learn more about her role as an MP and vote for this year’s summer activity.
Raising money for BDP’s Youth Groups was a great honour. For children living with parents who have problematic drug and alcohol use, I can see that these groups mean a lot. Thank you for welcoming me into the group. I was also very impressed with the brilliant staff and volunteers. Their care is helping children build confidence through having fun. And it’s not just a good thing for the children – I understand the wider families also benefit from this support.
– Thangam Debboniare
The children also got the opportunity to ask questions about her running preparation, the marathon itself and how far and fast she ran as well as a few questions that stumped her, including what position she came in the 40,000 runners! They then invited her to join them in their ‘mad scientist session’ culminating in the successful creation of a vivid array of colourful slime.
Running the London Marathon for @bdpROADS’ youth groups was a great honour. Yesterday I went to meet the children and see how the brilliant staff and volunteers build children's confidence through having fun. Thanks to everyone who gave a total of £5,134.75 to this great cause! pic.twitter.com/2fvEjA39HM
On Sunday, Thangam Debboniare MP for Bristol West ran the London Marathon to raise money for BDP’s Youth Groups, supporting children affected by their family members’ drug or alcohol use.
We would like to say a huge thanks to Thangam for using the marathon to highlight the positive impact of our Youth Groups and help raise over £4,500 (so far) towards this service.
The children have been busy making posters thanking Thangam for her hard work fundraising and training for the marathon. Check them out over at their blog.
Congratulations have been flooding in from Bristol constituents and fellow MPs via twitter…
Thanks everyone for support, inspiration and encouragement – running the #LondonMarathon today was one of the best days of my life & I can’t wait to do it again! Not tomorrow though. Privilege to run in aid of @bdpROADS youthwork. Donations still welcome! https://t.co/6eJHj2pt13
