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Carer centres and services Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association (SWEDA)

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About

The Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association (SWEDA) is a regional charity supporting those affected by eating disorders. This includes those directly affected by eating disorders, as well as their friends, family and close contacts.

The organisation was set up in 1992 by Mendip CVS and the family of someone with an eating disorder. For 30 years, SWEDA has provided a range of support and therapeutic services for people experiencing problems with food, weight, eating and body image whether they have a ‘diagnosable’ eating disorder or not. We also provide support to friends, families and anyone engaged in the difficult task of supporting someone close to them. SWEDA also provides support to family and friends engaged in the difficult task of supporting someone close to them.

SWEDA is dedicated to providing pro-recovery support, seeking to enable and empower people to improve their mental and physical health, as well as their wider wellbeing. The aim is to help enrich the quality of people's lives and allow them to live a life that is as healthy and full as possible. To facilitate this, SWEDA provides a range of services, offering information, support, guidance and professional training.

SWEDA is user-led and based on the principles of self-help. At the heart of the organisation is a commitment to ensure that people who have lived experience of eating disorders are actively encouraged to contribute to the development and delivery of support services.

Overview of SWEDA services:

· 1-2-1 counselling sessions

Following a clinical assessment

· Self-help Support Group

Online sessions running on Zoom every Wednesday between 7-8pm, plus face to face on the first Wednesday of the month between 7pm-8.30pm

· Family and Friends Support Group

Online sessions running on Zoom every first Thursday of the month between 7pm-8pm

SWEDA Mindline 0300 3305464

A dedicated eating disorders helpline every Tuesday 8pm-11pm and every Sunday 11am-2pm

Opening times

Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm

Catchment area

Somerset and the surrounding counties

Bristol - Inner City East and North & West

Target group

People directly and indirectly affected by eating disorders. This includes those experiencing eating disorders as well as their family, friends and other close contacts.

SWEDA welcomes clients of all ages, genders and ethnicities.

Further information

For further information about services, please visit www.swedauk.org/services   Please note that most SWEDA services, for example the Support Groups, are free of charge. For 1-2-1 counselling, we may charge a fee, but this is worked out based on what clients can afford and we pride ourselves on never turning away anyone who needs our help.

This information was supplied by Serco Global Services on 1 April 2025.