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.Â
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.
A national overdose awareness campaign has hit the streets of Bristol. The poster campaign that can be seen on billboards around the city is promoting the opioid overdose reversal drug Naloxone. Naloxone works by blocking the opioid receptors in the brain, effectively reversing the effects of the drug. Naloxone is the most powerful tool in the fight to stop death from overdose.
The posters have been put up in 8 different locations through out the city so keep your eyes peeled for one in your area. Don’t forget to get a photo and use the hashtag #naloxone and #naloxoneposter on social media.
We have long been champions of Naloxone and are hugely grateful for the efforts by those involved to roll out this campaign on such a large scale.
How can I get Naloxone in Bristol?
Naloxone is available from BDP for FREE for anyone who needs it. If you are likely to come in close contact with someone who is using opioids, we strongly encourage you to get a kit.
Check out the campaign we launched on Overdose Awareness Day, which aimed to help people spot the signs of a potential opioid overdose and to aid them to feel more confident in an emergency.
If you want to know more information about Naloxone feel free to get in touch or why not check out Naloxone.org.uk, where they have heaps of information along with instructional videos and frequently asked questions.
