Students affected by eating disorders

Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association recently had funding from Comic Relief, over 3 years, to develop and run a programme for young people, who are trying to manage their eating disorder whilst in education or training. The aim of the project was to enable and support young people in this situation to continue and succeed with their studies, to help them move forward in their recoveries and, hopefully, to leave them feeling empowered, motivated and excited about moving on into life after study. The Project was open to young people in the 18-25 age range who were motivated to move forward in their lives and work towards recovery from their eating disorders.

Funding for the Project ended in June 2006 and culminated in the 18-25 Project's national conference "The Hidden Student" held at Bath University on June 30th 2006. Another outcome of the Project was the appointment of a paid support worker in Bournemouth and the production of a comprehensive training resource for people working with students with eating disorders (if anyone is interested in this resource, or in training in general feel free to contact SWEDA on anita@swedauk.org).

Although the 18-25 Project funding has now ceased SWEDA will be maintaining and expanding on some of the support resources developed by the Project, including online MSN Messenger support (which will run alongside the SWEDA Helpline) and Support Groups at Weston College, Yeovil College, Bridgwater College and Somerset College. In addition to this SWEDA's Schools Project will work with students in the 11+ age range and their teachers.

Messenger Support - The SWEDA 18-25 Project has been offering online MSN Messenger support and SWEDA will be continuing this service in parallel with the Helpline. You can chat directly to SWEDA, when we are online, by adding the Project to your contact list using the email address support@swedauk.org Chat will be answered during Helpline times. To download MSN Messenger visit http://imagine-msn.com/messenger/launch/en-GB/.

We will also be retaining and maintaining the Project's Online Peer Support Message Boards for students which run alongside SWEDA's other Message Boards.

Resources
During its existance the 18-25 Project produced a wide range of leaflets and other resources which you can find hosted here (click the "Resources" button on the menu).SWEDA is also keen to attend and/or provide literature at Freshers' Fairs and other relavent college and university functions as well as providing training for staff and students.

Other materials
People using the 18-25 service have also contributed poems, writing and pictures and these can be found, along with contributions to SWEDA in general, on our Creative Pages.