For children and young people

SWEDA offers a range of support services for children and young people with an eating disorder or who are concerned about someone with an eating disorder, including support and guidance sessions, counselling and support calls.

Watch the video to learn more about services and how we can help you and your family. 

What are support and guidance sessions?

Anyone who contacts SWEDA for help will be offered a support and guidance appointment with a Support Worker – it’s a free introduction to our services and the first step in working towards recovery or in supporting yourself while you support someone else. Support and Guidance sessions can help you to:

• Find out more about the support that's available through SWEDA.
• Find out more about eating disorders.
• Find out about books and additional materials that may be helpful.
• Assess where you are and what you want to do next.
• Set goals that assist with recovery.
• Help to identify the next step for you.

Once you contact SWEDA, we can make an appointment for you. You can visit our friendly offices in Shepton Mallet or meet with a Support Worker closer to you where you live. You can also opt to attend a session in-person or online. We are usually able to offer you an appointment within two weeks. You are welcome to bring someone with you: this could be a friend, parent or anyone else that might help you feel more comfortable. The appointment is normally between 1 hour and 1.5 hours.

What is counselling?

Counselling is a kind of one-to-one talking therapy where you will have the opportunity to talk about and explore your situation with somebody experienced in supporting people with eating disorders. We offer non-judgmental listening and guidance, in a comfortable and professional environment. You will talk about your feelings and emotions, finding ways to move forward. This might be in the form of ‘tools’ to help you in various scenarios or simply provide you with a chance to process any difficult experiences that have happened to you. Counselling helps you to gain an understanding of how you came to be where you are. It can help you learn more about your ‘triggers’ or finding ways to manage your distress when things are difficult.

What are support calls?

Support Calls are a low-level, short-term form of support consisting of 6 x 30 minute calls. These can be weekly or fortnightly. This might be the right service for you if you just need a little help to move forward or are not sure if you’re ready to undertake talking therapy. A specialist support worker will conduct your calls; you will agree with them what you want to work on during the calls. Examples of goals you may wish to work on include:

• Have some space to talk and be heard.
• Explore your issue and decide whether you want to seek further help at this time.
• Explore if you are ready to recover (this is always your decision).
• Learn more about eating disorders and how they are affecting you.