Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association
"serving those affected by eating disorders"

Volunteering

With SWEDA

Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association has a lot to offer. A great deal of this is provided by SWEDA Volunteers (Vols); in particular the Helplines, Drop-Ins and Leaflet production are volunteer run as is the Resource Library, Web Site and some Helpline & Drop-In Cover and the new Help By Letter scheme.

Volunteering with SWEDA is great fun and very rewarding and a great way to meet a really lovely 'family' of SEDA people - the paid workers, volunteers and clients as well as new friends from the newly formed Somerset Eating Disorders Service (part of the NHS Somerset Partnership Trust).

As well as providing many of SWEDA's services the SWEDA Vols. have plenty of social activities and plenty of time to enjoy each others company.

Training is provided (as is coffee of course!!), expenses are paid and there is plenty of opportunity to be involved in further training and learning throughout. Support and supervision is also provided regularly and formally and of course is always available in the form of friendship and mutual support from all at SWEDA be they other volunteers or paid staff. Many SWEDA Volunteers have had a personal experience of an eating disorder (perhaps as a suffer or a carer) and would like to use this experience to help others, but this is not required, all that's needed is a desire to help those affected by eating disorders and perhaps have a fun and rewarding time along the way.

Other volunteering opportunities

Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association has a low cost counselling service. Our counsellors are students in their 2nd or 3rd years of 'Diploma in Counselling' training. All counsellors receive regular supervision from within SWEDA together with support from their training colleges. If you are interested in a counselling placement at Somerset Eating Disorders Association contact Anita Worcester

Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association is currently interested in developing opportunities for student placements in Psychology, Social Science, Health Care, Counselling and other psychological therapies. If you are interested in a student placement at Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association or in developing a link between SWEDA and your training organisation, please contact SWEDA

Training

Induction training is held several times a year for all prospective new SWEDA volunteers. Training specific to the area of volunteering is provided regularly. Continuing training is organised and delivered in-house by SWEDA workers, external trainers and through external courses. All training is provided free of charge to volunteers.

Travel expenses are paid, and bus fares are refunded. Costs towards care of dependants can be negotiated. Car parking is not available at Strode House except in exceptional circumstances, however car parking expenses will be refunded.

All volunteers involved in the helpline or drop-in participate in a small monthly supervision group In addition to this individual supervision sessions are available as appropriate to your needs. A yearly review is held.

SWEDA operates an Equal Opportunities Policy and encourages applications from potential volunteers from within the local community, especially those who have personal experience of Eating Disorders, as sufferers or carers. Support is available to those with specific training needs. Training takes place over two evenings, usually Thursdays, followed by at least three observation sessions arranged at the volunteer and SWEDA’s convenience. Further training in the area of the volunteer’s choice is then undertaken, i.e. helpline, drop-in, etc. .

Following completion of the training a further interview is arranged with the Volunteer Link, when future involvement with SWEDA and any further and continuing training needs will be discussed and decided. Support is available throughout the training period for each potential volunteer from the trainers and Volunteer Link. Once accepted as a volunteer, continuing training opportunities are available.

If you are interested in volunteering with us contact Lyn Southway at SWEDA.

Volunteer with the 18-25s Project

The 18-25s Project also has many opportunities for individuals wishing to volunteer. The 18-25s Project is currently at a very early stage and there is a need for a great deal of research and fact-finding as well as design and administrative work and the initial need for volunteers is therefore in this area. These needs provide and exciting opportunity for volunteers to become involved in helping to research needs, create and maintain resources and ultimately shape the project and ensure that it successfully meets the needs of the people it is set up to serve.

As the Project progresses volunteers will be able to help publicise it, help administer it and become involved in moving it forward. It is envisaged that the final outcome of the project will be a programme for 18-25 year olds who are currently engaged in education or training in the South West or who live in the South West and study or train elsewhere. The project will provide support to enable these individuals to continue with their studies and will also provide periods of residential time involving supported self-help and general fun and social activities.

These areas of work will also require much volunteer input and will provide opportunities for volunteers to undergo training learn new skills and provide to ongoing group and one-to-one support both throughout the envisaged year long duration of the project and during the residentials.

You can contact SWEDA for information about eating disorders and the range of services offered (including: one-to-one support, self-help support and the telephone helpline) at :-

SWEDA’s telephone helpline, which is staffed by trained volunteers, many of whom have a personal experience of an eating disorder, can be reached on:-

01458 448600
an answerphone is available when the helpline is closed.


support@swedauk.org
Email support and MSN Messenger contact ID

SWEDA is a registered charity (No.1056441)
and a company limited by guarantee (No.3208772)