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

Volunteering

With SWEDA

Volunteering
Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association has a wide range of services on offer; many of these are provided by SWEDA volunteers, in particular the Frontline Services — Helpline, email and Messenger Support, as well as leaflet production and representing SWEDA at various events. The Resource Library, Web Site, Pen-Pals Scheme and SWEDA Craft Group are also managed by volunteers.

Suitably qualified volunteers (with additional SWEDA training) staff our popular Low Cost Counselling Scheme [there is a separate SWEDA leaflet about this].

Volunteering with SWEDA is great fun and can be very rewarding; it’s also a great way to meet a really lovely 'family' of SWEDA people - the paid workers, other volunteers and clients and to be an important part of our team.

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

Training is provided, expenses are paid and there is plenty of opportunity to be involved in further training and learning throughout your time with us at SWEDA. Support and supervision are also provided regularly and formally by our Volunteer Coordinator Jan and our Client Services Manager—Anita, 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 sufferer 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 have a fun, rewarding and self-improving time along the way.

Training and Expenses
Induction training is held several times a year (usually every 6 months—in the Spring and Autumn, but more often if demand is high) for all prospective SWEDA volunteers. There is a charge for the induction training which is provided by Jan and Anita.

Following the completion of the induction training a further interview is arranged with the Volunteer Coordinator, where 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.

Once accepted as a volunteer, continuing training opportunities are available.

Training specific to the area of volunteering is provided regularly. Continuing training is organised and delivered in-house by SWEDA staff, external trainers and through external courses. All additional training is provided free of charge to volunteers.

Expenses
Travel expenses are paid, and bus fares are refunded. Car parking is not available at Strode House except in exceptional circumstances, however car parking expenses will also be refunded.

Support and Supervision
All volunteers providing Frontline services are supported by the Frontline services Manager, Paul Davis, and are involved in a de-briefing after each session. Regular, ongoing and ‘on request’ support is provided by Jan, SWEDA’s Volunteer Co-ordinator , who is responsible for volunteer’s training needs and social activities. In addition to this, supervision sessions are available as appropriate to your needs. Volunteers also receive a yearly review to support their work and identify development and training needs for the coming year.

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 is currently held at Street, Somerset. Selection for training follows an interview with the Volunteer Coordinator.

If you are interested in volunteering with us and want to find out more,
contact Jan Page at SWEDA.
A downloadable ‘Volunteer Application Pack’ is available online on our website
at www.swedauk.org

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)