Today BDP celebrates its 35th birthday!

It was 35 years ago today that BDP first opened its doors to the people of Bristol. BDP was set up by a group of people with lived experience of a drug problem and impassioned probation officers. They identified the absence of support for people who used drugs in Bristol and designed and created a service to fill that gap.

Since then, BDP has grown and evolved but we still operate by the same philosophy as those early days; to support some of the most vulnerable members of our society in an open and inclusive service and to challenge the prejudice which people with drug or alcohol problems still experience and which remains a major barrier to people seeking the support they need.

Although our birthday celebrations will have to be a modest affair this year, we would like to thank each and every one of you that have interacted with BDP over the years. From the volunteers who give up their time, the people who use our services and our talented and passionate staff; you all have played your part in making BDP what it is today. Here’s to another 35 years (and much improved future birthday celebrations!).