Bristol PsySoc Social: Psychedelic Harm-reduction & Crisis Intervention

Bristol Psychedelic Society Monthly PsySocial

Join us for our next Bristol & South West Psychedelic Society Social, aimed to build a community of like-minded souls, share, network, and discuss. 

Grounding together with guided practices, sharing nourishing food, and collectively engaging with fascinating talks and conversations, these socials will be an opportunity to connect deeply and cross-pollinate with fellow consciousness explorers.

This Month's Theme: Psychedelic Harm-Reduction and Crisis Intervention

With a globally sparked interest in psychedelics, learning the necessary steps to avoid psychological harm and how to manage difficult experiences is key.

At this month's social, we will be speaking with PsyCare UK, a welfare charity that provide drug-related harm-reduction services at music festivals and events. 

Having offered crisis intervention and psychological support to those undergoing difficult psychedelic experiences for several years, PsyCare volunteers Charlotte Bamber and Polly Rowe will be sharing their expertise and experiences on psychedelic safety and support. 

As well as bringing to light the important work of PsyCare and related organisations, they will discuss topics and offer advice on psychedelic harm reduction, including:

• Best practices for safe psychedelic use
• Physical and psychological risks of psychedelics
• Supporting self and others through challenging psychedelic experiences
• The importance of integration

About PsyCare UK

PsyCare UK is a charity that provides welfare and harm reduction services at music festivals and events throughout the UK and internationally. They have been operating for over 10 years, during which time they have earned a reputation for the specialist and compassionate services they offer at events of all sizes.

You can learn more about the charity and services they offer by visiting their website: https://www.psycareuk.org/

Your Speakers

Mikey Cirelli

Mikey is a MSc psychology student currently studying at the University of Sussex. His research focuses on the effects of profound psychedelic experiences in relation to self-defining memories and significant loss. 

With a BSc background in Neuroscience, Mikey is also informed by his work experience in mental health between various roles in neuropsychiatric and acute adult mental health wards both for the NHS and privately. He is fascinated with the intersection of mental health, shamanism and entheogenic substances, whilst also currently pursuing the training path of a counselling psychologist with aspirations to work closely with psychedelic assisted psychotherapy in the future.

Polly Rowe

Polly is a co-ordinator of PsyCare UK.  Her life changed when she first found psychedelics through yet another trip to rehab. This time something actually shifted, and she’s been exploring these medicines ever since. You’ll find her at her happiest while dancing or connecting.

Charlotte Bamber

Charlotte's background is as a psychiatrist and anthroposophical psychotherapist though after two psychotic episodes this past year is taking a break to integrate her experiences. She uses cacao, art therapy, ayurvedic massage therapy, yoga and meditation to offer a holistic package towards health and wellbeing. 

She feels her personal experiences with altered states of consciousness both drug and non drug related, alongside a compassionate bedside manner have helped give her a better understanding and helping hand with her volunteering with PsyCareUK.

The rest of the evening will be dedicated to free-form discussion and connection around our common interest - psychedelics!

We will meet at The Gasworks Studio, a beautiful and homely venue located in St. Werburghs, Bristol. We invite you to bring a vegan dish of choice so we can share a scrummy potluck dinner together. Teas and coffees will be available. 

Schedule

18:30: Arrive

18:45: Introduction and guided practice

19:00: Panel and Q&A with PsyCare

20:15: Food Sharing and socialising

21:00 Short-relating exercise followed by open discussion

If funds are a barrier to access, please get in touch with martha@psychedelicsociety.org.uk
 

REFUNDS POLICY: Please note, we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. When possible we encourage reselling on Ticketswap.

ACCESS:  We do our best to include everyone in our events, regardless of health circumstances. If you have access requirements please email the event organiser directly to discuss. Many facilitators are able to offer reduced ticket prices for those truly unable to afford the ticket price. If this applies to you, do please get in touch with the event organiser.

For PSYCHEDELIC KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES please check out the Psychedelic Society website. 

Our facilitators have agreed to our code of conduct. Learn about our procedure for raising concerns

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