Who runs group sessions?

All SRSH groups are run by student volunteers. Each group project is run by between 4 and 6 SRSH volunteers. Two volunteers will run every group meeting (they take it in turns to run these group sessions).

SRSH has a rigorous recruitment process to find volunteers who are really going to run amazing group sessions. We then provide these students with extensive training so that they understand how to run a group session safely. Take a look at what they have to say for themselves...

Nush @ UEA

Hi, my name is Anoushka, I am studying English Lit and Politics at the moment, but i have a real passion for theatre directing, which i like to do on the side. My main reason for starting up SRSH@UEA is because a very close friend of mine has been battling with and an eating disorder for a couple of years now, and i felt powerless to help her as i didn’t know nearly enough about the affects of having an eating disorder and least of all what it was like to live with one. So i got in touch with B-eat to see if there was any training i could take part in and they suggested setting up a group at UEA with SRSH. Its two years on now and the group is well underway. Since starting the self-help group I have been astonished as to how many people struggle day to day, even if only occasionally, with eating, and so i feel that it is important that there is a place where people can go and talk to others who are having the same experiences as them (especially as uni can be such a stressful and isolating environment!). It also means that attendees can find out about other support networks in Norwich as we have worked hard to make good connections with these networks, so that we can help find the best one to suit the individual. We always aim to provide confidential and friendly support for those that come to the group, so that they can find the process of getting help that bit easier.

Claire @ Bristol

Hi, I'm Claire Hackford and I am a final year psychology student here at
Bristol. In my spare time, I'm involved in some of the community projects
at the union, play music and enjoy keeping fit. I've been involved in running the group since the beginning of this year, where we carried on with the new eating disorders self-help group and first became part of SRSH. The reason why I decided to become involved was because there seems to be a real lack of support for those suffering with eating disorders in Bristol, but also a lack of awareness. Having been a student here for three years, I know that it is not always easy coping with the pressures of university life. I think that having a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where students can talk to and share experiences with others who might be going through similar issues can be really helpful. The groups are open to anyone at any stage of an eating disorder, because we believe it is important that no one should have to go through this alone. We're here every fortnight, so there is always a friendly face to talk to!

Bethany @ St Andrews

My name is Bethany Wellerd and I am a psychology student here at St Andrews. In my spare time I enjoy reading, baking, cycling and looking at pictures of cute animals on the internet. I decided to volunteer with SRSH because I think such a service is necessary in St Andrews, and I am really happy to be able to do something which might make a difference to someone who is struggling with finding someone to talk to. I think the SRSH groups are really important as they can help give people a place to come who have problems to share or talk through a place to do so. Also, the fact that our groups offer people the space to share with others going through similar problems mean that they can see that they are not alone in their struggle. I hope that people will feel that the SRSH sessions give them the chance to get off their mind things which they do not want to ‘burden’ friends or family with, and that they will feel that through sharing their load, it becomes lessened, along with the added knowledge of helping others through sharing.

Lorna @ Oxford

Hi, I’m Lorna and I’m a second year Physiology and Psychology student at Oxford University. I enjoy reading, cycling, and I’m actually quite fond of lying in bed and watching TV. After my first year at university, and a year of TV watching, I decided it was time for me to get out of bed and do something worthwhile, and it was perfect timing that I then found out about SRSH.

After reading what SRSH do, I decided I definitely wanted to get involved with the project, and applied to be a group facilitator, which was followed by training and being involved with the groups, which I started last term. I think the work SRSH does is incredibly important, as there are so many people our age suffering from eating disorder and struggling with the added pressure of university, and I think the opportunity to talk with other people who are going through the same thing can be very beneficial.

Having seen people suffering from issues related to eating, I hope that the SRSH groups can provide any support that we can with a non-judgemental ear and our promise of confidentiality. Recovery is difficult, and I hope that we can help in any way we can.

Holly @ Oxford

Hi I’m Holly and I’m a first year studying Experimental Psychology at Oxford. When I first started uni the first term was very busy with settling down and trying to remember how to write an essay after a very long summer; but I was keen to find out about welfare volunteer projects where I could meet and support other students at the uni. In my second term I heard about SRSH and was keen to get involved as I think the work SRSH do is really beneficial at raising awareness of eating disorders and those who come to the meetings find them of use. After hearing about SRSH I applied to be a group facilitator and undertook the training for the role. As a group facilitator I hope the self help groups provide people with a space where they feel comfortable to talk about their feelings and experiences in a non-judging environment with others who are experiencing the same thing. Although eating disorders can affect everyone in a different way, the meetings bring people together who can relate to one another and show greater understanding than what close friends may be able to. Importantly we hope the meetings can act as a support focusing on recovery and show that if you are suffering with an eating disorder you are not alone.

SRSH is registered with Companies House, 7493445
Registered Charity: 1142783