40 Years of Harm Reduction: Help Us Write the Next Chapter

This year is a milestone for BDP. We’re celebrating 40 years of harm reduction – four decades of standing alongside people who use drugs and alcohol, challenging stigma, and championing compassionate, evidence-based approaches. Since our beginnings in 1986, BDP has grown from a small local initiative to a leading voice in drug and alcohol support. Our mission has always been the same: reducing harm, saving lives, and putting people at the centre of the services we provide. 

As we look ahead, we’re launching an ambitious new five-year strategy. The world of substance use is changing rapidly, new drugs, emerging trends, and complex patterns of use mean harm reduction is more critical than ever. To meet these challenges, we are creating an exciting new role that sits at the heart of our vision for the future. 

Introducing: Harm Reduction and Innovation Lead

This is more than a leadership position. It’s a chance to shape harm reduction across the South West, ensuring our services remain responsive, evidence-led and truly life-changing. 

As Harm Reduction and Innovation Lead, you will: 

• Lead on harm reduction practice. 

• Drive innovation, pilots, and new service models to tackle emerging needs. 

• Work side by side with people with lived experience, partners, and commissioners. 

• Represent BDP as a national voice for harm reduction. 

You’ll join a values-driven senior leadership team, working in an environment that prizes creativity, inclusion, and compassion. This is a strategic role, but it’s hands-on too. We need someone who’s as comfortable in the needle exchange as a meeting room. Someone who combines expert knowledge, strategic thinking, and a genuine belief in people. 

Why this role matters

The evidence around the effectiveness of harm reduction is clear. Approaching services with compassion, choice and lack of judgement improves the health outcomes for people. It helps people stay safe, engage with services and work towards their goals no matter what they may be. 

In a time when drug use and related harms are shifting quickly, the Harm Reduction and Innovation Lead will make sure BDP is not just keeping up but leading the way. Your work will directly influence how harm reduction is understood, embedded, and advanced across our services. 

Why BDP?

For 40 years, we’ve been here for Bristol. Today, we deliver a broad range of services for people affected by drugs and alcohol that are grounded in respect, inclusion, and real-world experience. Our team comes from diverse backgrounds, but what unites us is a commitment to making a difference. 

Sound interesting?

Applications are open now. Find out more and apply here: BDP Careers