The Friends of SWEDA

Food forms an essential and often pleasurable part of our daily' lives. For those suffering from an eating disorder food becomes an obsession, both a friend and an enemy, with the power to destroy normal life. It also has a devastating effect on the lives of their families and carers who feel powerless to help. It is possible to give up drugs and alcohol and survive. People with eating disorders cannot live without food.

About SWEDA

In Somerset alone there are around 10,000 people afflicted with Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia. The consequences of these disorders, both on those affected and their families, are enormous. Whilst most people eventually recover, this can take up to 10 years, and requires long term practical and emotional support.

SWEDA exists to provide this support. From our office in Street we provide:

• a telephone helpline for sufferers and carers
• personal contact in the community
• a low cost counselling service
• a website and penpal scheme for those who find face to face contact difficult
• help for 18-25 year olds
• a supported self help programme offering one to one and group work
• supported housing, to facilitate independent living skill
• complementary therapies

About the Friends of SWEDA

Whilst our current services are well appreciated by those who use them, we are acutely aware that at present we are not meeting all their support needs, and that there are thousands more sufferers and carers who might benefit from our help.

We should like to extend the scope of our present services to other parts of Somerset and surrounding counties. And in response to user demand we should like to develop new services specifically designed for young people.

To take on these new challenges will, however, almost double our costs. "The Friends of SWEDA" has been formed to enable those interested in our work to help us reach out and develop more services for those affected by eating disorders in Somerset and surrounding counties.

Membership costs from as little as £10 per year. On joining, new members will receive a membership certificate, a pen and a carrier bag. All Friends of SWEDA will receive a regular newsletter.

Please join us!

Contact us for a "The Friends of SWEDA" leaflet and application form.

Address:
Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association
Strode House,
10 Leigh Road
STREET,
Somerset,
BA16 0HA

Telephone numbers:
Helpline 01458 448600
Admin.  01458 448611
Fax        01458 448611

paula@swedauk.org (main email)
admin@swedauk.org (secondary email)
webmaster@swedauk.org (website related)

Website: www.swedauk.org