Family Drug Support 2024 Annual Report

32 FDS Volunteer Workshop – Weekend… The annual volunteer training workshop is an opportunity for Family Drug Support volunteers and staff to: o Be provided with new up-to-date information relevant to their role, including presentations by professionals in the sector o Meet and Network with other FDS volunteers and staff o Maintain and develop new skills After a few years where we were unable to run a workshop due to COVID impacts, FDS were ecstatic to finally get together with 60 of our staff and volunteers at a venue in Western Sydney. With guest speakers including Annie Bleeker – Public Health expert presenting on current drug trends, and Gino Vumbaca OAM from Harm Reduction Australia talking about the Harm Reduction movement locally and abroad, volunteers were treated to an inspiring and educational weekend. There were also skills updates, presentations on empathy, statistics, system developments, and self-reflection exercises. Feedback from volunteers was very positive, and many volunteers reported increased confidence and awareness during shifts after the workshop. There was also time for socialising