Today, we launch the public face of Promote, an innovative new project supporting marginalised male sex workers and their clients (and sex workers of other underserved genders) to access a range of free and fair health care in Bristol.
Having been awarded HIV Prevention Innovation Funding in late 2017, the Promote project will advocate for the rights of sex workers, masseurs and escorts, working across all platforms of the sex industry, to access a range of support, with a focus on increasing access to rapid HIV testing.
We’re kicking off a new series of free events and talks for professionals and students wanting to find out about the shape of drugs in Bristol and the support we offer.
Beginning in March, at the end of each month we will be hosting a behind-the-scenes event exploring a different area of alcohol and drug support.
Our first event will be exploring our 20+ year history of working with GP Practices in Bristol to provide Opioid Substitution Therapy.
Events will also offer a brief overview of our history, structure and ethos, as well as how our services fit into wider treatment and support services available in Bristol.
This week Bristol Learning City are running their #ThisChangedMyLife campaign, encouraging people in Bristol to share a learning experience that has changed their life. They hope that by sharing stories they can encourage someone else to learn a new skill – and make a resolution that could transform lives, local communities and our city.
“At BDP we not only promote positive change in the lives of people who use our services, but also hope to change the lives of our volunteers,” said Sophie, one of our Volunteer Managers. As part of #ThisChangedMyLife, Sophie spoke to our volunteer Lisa, to find out the effect BDP has had on her life.
“I chose to volunteer at BDP because I wanted to get into social care as a career but I had no previous experience or qualifications. BDP enabled me to gain experience in social care and was also my placement for a college qualification in adult social care. After 3 years of volunteering, I have gained a level 3 qualification in adult social care. Volunteering has also given me enough experience to move on to paid employment as a mental health support worker.
BDP are a very supportive organisation and are keen to help individuals to progress into paid employment either with BDP itself or within other organisations. As a single parent with little qualifications or experience, BDP has given me the opportunity to change my life around and move on to great things. It has given me confidence in my abilities, has helped with my anxieties and has helped me grow as a person.
If anyone is considering volunteering as a way to give back and gain experience, I would say go for it. You never know what opportunities it can lead to.”
– Lisa, project volunteer
BDP are recruiting for new Project Volunteers in February 2018. If you are interested and would like to fund out more, please check out our website or contact Sophie Wilsdon on 0117 987 6011 or email sophie.wilsdon@bdp.org.uk.
This week we hosted Let’s Talk Chemsex, an evening featuring panel talks and open discussions exploring how Bristol could be responding to the chemsex scene.
This Bristol-based unique event aimed to begin the conversation to find a community-wide response to issue around chemsex, encouraging people to feel empowered to respond bravely, compassionately and creatively.
The feedback from the event was really positive and we’re looking forward to building on these new relationships and continuing to compassionately and respectfully meet the needs of those engaging in chemsex.
– Lydia, BDP
The panel kicked off with each member sharing their views on some of the problems raised by chemsex and how they would like to see Bristol responding. Our panel consisted of Kate Rodman from Prism, Mark Stroud from Terrence Higgins Trust at Unity Sexual Health, Sister Ann Ticapation from the Order of Pereptual Indulgence and a community member speaking about his own experience of chemsex.
After hearing from the panel, we broke out into smaller groups to allow everyone the chance to share their experiences, thoughts and hopes for the future – looking at how communities, agencies and individuals across Bristol could respond to some of the challenges raised by chemsex.
With around 35 people attending, the conversations were varied and creative. From sexual health and HIV support agencies, through to club and bar owners, as well as individuals with lived experience of the chemsex scene, we were able to form and strengthen new professional relationships as well as look at creative grassroots responses.
If you would like to join in the conversation about chemsex, feel free reach out to us by emailing prism@bdp.org.uk.
Bristol’s Recovery Choir, Rising Voices, is celebrating 3 years of singing for recovery with the release of a short film, by local filmmaker Jessica Balla, which follows their journey of hope and positivity in their recoveries from alcohol and drug addiction.
Sophie had been working in the group work team at BDP for 6 years, supporting people to make changes in their alcohol and drug use through talking groups. Although BDP had always had one off music and drama groups, she was looking to start a regular music group that would be open to anyone affected by recovery in Bristol. Sophie met Isolde through her choir The Morning Chorus, and started thinking about the possibility of setting up a choir specifically for people effected by alcohol and drugs. With funding and support from BDP, Rising Voices had their first rehearsal on 27th November 2014.
Research shows that singing in a group increases feelings of confidence and self esteem, decreases feelings of anxiety and depression, and there is even exciting evidence that it can increase immunity. It is also shown to increase feelings of connection and a sense of belonging – which is crucial to combatting isolation when people are addressing their addiction.
It’s great, that sort of coming together – it’s quite magical in a sense. It’s about that connection, finding something not to focus on but that gives purpose.
Music and singing can offer a unique way for people to process their feelings and emotions around recovery without having to find the words to do so.
The thing that is most valuable to me about the choir is the chance to have a voice. Not to have to talk about recovery stuff or your past. Just be a human being with other human beings, singing.
The choir has been involved with MUS.I.C D.A.RE, a Europe wide study looking at the links between music and addiction. They were invited to attend and perform at the study’s conference in Brighton in September 2017 and choir members are now taking part in an e-learning version of the training exploring how music affects the brain, alternative therapeutic communities, music facilitation and creative approaches to building safety in groups, and at research looking at using music to decrease cravings.
Rising Voices now have between 15 and 20 regular members of mixed gender, age and musical experience. No singing or choir experience is necessary, as everything is learnt by ear and sung unaccompanied.
Anyone who is affected by addiction is welcome to come along – whether they have experienced addiction themselves, in their family or loved ones, or if they work or volunteer in treatment services. Rising Voices rehearse 5.30 – 7pm every Tuesday at the Unitarian Meeting House, Brunswick Square.
When it all comes together remarkably at the end, it’s just amazing to feel part of something and physically to get a rush and a buzz from the whole thing… there’s nothing to worry about
We catch up with Prism (our dedicated LGBT+ support service) during one of the busiest times of their year to find out how they’ve been raising awareness of sexual health and helping people across Bristol reduce the harm that drugs can cause them.
On Friday we joined the World AIDs Day vigil at St James’ Priory. Hosted by Brigstowe and Terrence Higgins Trust, the event was held to remember those who have been lost to HIV/AIDS and to challenge HIV stigma.
“It was an emotional service this year as the UK moves into what is, hopefully, the beginning of the end of HIV transmission,” said BDP’s Emma Wells. “Hugh developments are being made in access to PrEP, PEP and HIV medication in the UK including new medications which will be injectable or implants rather than a daily pill.”
Part remembrance, part celebration, part action – the event featured testimonies from those living with HIV, a speech by MP Thangam Debbonaire raising the important issue that across the world there are still people that do not have access to any HIV medication, and a moving performance by Sing Out Bristol.
On Saturday we kick-started our busy weekend raising the profile of Prism and promoting harm reduction in Bristol’s busy nightlife scene. At the Southern HiBearnationChristmas market, held at Bristol Bear Bar, we provided visitors with a range of information and resources about our services and answered people’s queries or questions about how we can help.
The next day, we attended the “premier men’s fetish club”RAVEN for their monthly Sunday night event. “We had lots of great engagement around safer sex practice at RAVEN and gave out plenty of useful resources and condoms,” said Mike from our Prism team. “It’s great being out at nights like this to help raise the profile of Prism and present a friendly face people can recognise and trust.”
After the busy weekend our Prism team were invited to Bristol University’s LGBT+ Society on Monday evening, as part of their annual SHAG Week – exploring a range of topics promoting Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance. Hot on the heels of last week’s successful Lets Talk Chemsex event, we talked to students about chemsex, consent and the culture of drugs and alcohol at universities.
Hosting an event yourself? Why not invite our Prism team along for outreach support or an educational workshop.
