Engagement and Community Detox Link Trainee Review

I spent 5 months within BDP’s Shared Care team/Community Detox Link team. In this time I shadowed many Shared Care workers within surgeries. I learned a lot around Opiate Substituting Therapy. I shadowed Community Detox Link workers and had my own client for a few months. I helped set up the CDL group as well. I worked 5 months within BDP’s Engagement team. Here I gained experience on client engagement (1-1s), how to complete triages and needle exchange assessments. I have worked helpline shifts, advice centre shifts and needle exchange shifts. I have been able to shadow a number of BDP groups too.

I’ve learned many new skills during my traineeship. I have improved my communication skills, IT skills, interpersonal skills and telephone skills. Shifts within the advice centre and needle exchange have enabled my skills set to broaden. Frequent client contact has enabled my confidence to grow. I have gained skills in my traineeship around how to effectively record data, client information and have learned new skills to use. Motivational interviewing and ITEP Mapping are skills that I have now acquired through the traineeship.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the traineeship and the course that goes alongside it. BDP is such a rewarding and supportive place to work. I feel like my skills set has grown, my confidence has grown and that my employability for the future has increased. My tutor has always been really supportive and willing to answer any questions that I have. I would highly recommend the traineeship to anyone who is interested in this area of work.

My working life has been very structured, i have had regular commitments to fill whilst I have been at BDP. I took part in Wet clinics, Hostel visits, Women’s Morning, 50+ group and outreach. There have been opportunities to get involved with everything. I have ensured that college work has always been submitted on time and my tutor has always been on hand to answer any inquiries I have. Everything has been organised and structured very well.

I feel like I have received much support from my employer. If I am unsure of anything I know that I can always go to them to verify the situation. They are very friendly and approachable. I have received support around gaining my confidence, needle exchange practice, one-to-one practice and job applications (for the future). Whenever there’s been a difficult situation with a client someone has always been on hand to talk to me about it.

We (trainees) got given specific time to do college work each week. This was to help us to submit our work on time. I found this very beneficial as at the time I didn’t have computer access at home. I had to complete my college work within work hours. My employers were always quite accommodating to this. Observations with my tutor we’re always arranged efficiently. I feel like I have been thoroughly supported by both my employer and tutor.

Learning about subjects such as person centred care has been beneficial to me within my role. I am now aware of this concept and it’s something that I try to apply to my day to day work. I have learned a great deal around subjects such as learning disabilities, mental health and addiction within the traineeship. Units around data protection and health and safety have given me a greater awareness whilst at the work place.

Last year I volunteered with BDP at the Bristol Pride event. This was outside of working hours and I didn’t receive pay for it. I facilitated the stall for a few hours, engaged with the public and then got to have a look around The Pride event after. There are opportunities to socialise with other staff members outside of work hours. They sometimes go out within the evening. This is not something that I have partaken in as am not really into going out on an evening.

Yes

BDP is a great place to work and it’s a great place to be able to learn. If someone is interested in this line of work or are looking for a new career I’d definitely recommend this company to a friend. There’s always plenty of training on offer and there’s a lot to get involved in. My colleagues are all so friendly, helpful and supportive. It’s a really pleasant place to work.

I would emphasis the need to be organised. Keeping a diary and adding things onto a calendar really helps. The job can be very versatile e.g. you plan to do admin work in the morning but your asked to cover the advice centre. In this organisation you need to be caring, empathetic, patient, friendly and willing. If your unsure of something you need to ask questions. Take all the training that’s on offer it will improve your skills set and benefit you within your job role.