Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association is committed to providing online support to its clients in addition to the more traditional support systems such as Support Groups, helpline contact, one-to-one contact etc.. Both SWEDA and the SWEDA 18-25 Project have provided online support services to their respective client groups. With the ending of the 18-25 Project the two websites have been merged and SWEDA is looking to expand their range of online services to further meet their clients' needs. SWEDA is also able to offer online services to other eating disorders charities.

Website
The first and most fundemental online support/information system are the SWEDA website itself. The website provides a highly visible online presence with access to service and contact details, information and online versions of leaflets and other support materials as well as providing the backbone and hub for the other online support services. The SWEDA website is hosted at www.swedauk.org and the site now contains material from the old 18-25 Project website for students.

Email Support
Email support is provided by SWEDA via support@swedauk.org. Emails are responded to by trained individuals (workers and volunteers).

Peer Support Message Boards
The SWEDA website hosts an online peer support space in the form of Message Boards (including private, localised boards for students). Please note that these boards are 'peer support' and that responses come from fellow Message Boards users not from SWEDA itself. Please read the Message Board Disclaimers and usage policy on the Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders site before using!

The Message Boards can be accessed HERE.

Some of the old 18-25 Project Online Support systems are now integrated in SWEDA and this website and open to all.

Messenger Support - SWEDA is now offering online MSN Messenger support. You can chat directly to SWEDA Volunteers, when they are online (alongside the Helpline), by adding the us to your contact list using the email address support@swedauk.org. Chat will be answered during Helpline times.

Private Peer Support Message Boards
In addition to the public peer support message boards the 18-25 Project hosted a number of private boards to allow private communications between students in specific areas, these boards continue to run as part of SWEDA. As with the public boards these boards also work as a peer support space but one that is only available to a selected usergroup.

In order to sign up to a given board a user must first register with the public boards and then request that they be allowed to join a given private board by emailing webmaster@swedauk.org giving their username and the board that they wish to join (and preferably also the university at which they study). You can also contactus to find out more and also to request the setting up of a private board for your area.

Feedback

SWEDA and the 18-25 Project are always interested in receiving feedback about their services and also thoughts and ideas for new online (and other) services. As a result we offer a range of online feedback options including email and an online feedback form on the Contact Page as well as the more traditional feedback options.

Please do get in touch if you have any feedback or thoughts on our online service provision or if you have any thoughts, feedback or submissions relating to the website on webmaster@swedauk.org.