A Shepton Mallet charity that helps people with eating disorders has praised the support it has received from Co-op Members.

The Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association (SWEDA) was selected as one of the Co-op's local causes at the beginning of the year and it has just received a final payout from the Local Community Fund.

SWEDA will be using the funds to further boost its early intervention work with young people.

The charity, which is based in Park Road in Shepton Mallet, engages with people affected by eating disorders, including family, friends and carers, by offering hope and enabling access to support services to empower recovery.

By being a Co-op local cause, SWEDA has already reached more than 10,000 people with its early intervention work.

In an interview with Shepton Mallet Nub News, community support worker Emma Trebble praised the support of the Co-op.

She said: "It's had such an overwhelming impact. The early intervention was something that we needed to do, but we've now been able to get resources in place, such as beanbags, and we've got scales you can step on that say positive, inspirational and motivational words.

"I don't think that we would be able to have reached the 10,000 people that we have reached if it wasn't for those resources.

"We are able to provide something that is unique and fun. And a really friendly way of being able to be open and talking about eating disorders."

Emma also praised the charity's volunteers who are a vital cog in making sure the right help gets to the right people.

"We would not be able to function as a charity organisation without the volunteers," she said.

"We've got about 25 to 28 volunteers so if it's raising funds or doing admin work or just somebody who could put a poster together, it's all very helpful."

According to Emma, the coronavirus crisis has made life difficult for many people, but it has also helped some people to stop and think, and reach out for help.

She said: "I think that sometimes we can be distracted with life, so we push it to one side or don't realise that we do have such a problem.

"It's so brave to reach out and I really encourage those people that haven't or are thinking about it to just get in touch with us."

How does Payout work?

When Co-op Members buy selected Co-op branded products and services,2p for every pound spent is split between community organisations and local causes.

And it soon adds up. These members have helped raise £15 million for 4,500 causes this year.

From supporting projects that improve access to food and mental wellbeing, to education and employment opportunities for young people, the Local Community Fund has never been so vital.

SWEDA will be looking to raise funds for its vital work with a charity Virtual Bingo event in December.

To find out more about this family-friendly event, you can click on this link.

If you would like to contact SWEDA, you can find them on Twitter, Faceook and Instagram, visit their website here or email [email protected].

And to find out more about the Co-op Membership, click here.