We are looking for volunteers to facilitate on our Overcoming BDD 20 Week Programme
About the organisation
The BDD Foundation is the UK’s only charity dedicated exclusively to raising awareness and alleviating the suffering caused by Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). BDD is a serious mental disorder, which causes devastating distress and interferes substantially with the ability to function in life. It affects about 1-2% of the population and causes many unnecessary cosmetic treatments as well as a high rate of suicidality and self-harm.
As a charity we are committed to providing support and services for people with BDD, ensuring that those with lived-experience are central to this provision to encourage hope and recovery through the essence of peer-support.
About the project
The BDD Foundation (BDDF) has successfully delivered 6 iterations of the Overcoming BDD Programme, where self-guided Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (CBT-BDD) was delivered in a peer support group context.
Outcomes from the groups – which ran firstly via a face-to-face group and then via an online group – were positive, with participants experiencing both a decrease in scores on the Appearance Anxiety Inventory as well as an improved overall quality of life.
For the next iterations, we are looking at increasing our volunteer base so that we can run multiple online groups at the same time.
About the role
We are looking for 5 volunteers to co-facilitate the online sessions. The time commitment is 2 hours per week, for 20 weeks (April 2024 – September 2024), plus 2 training sessions before the role commences. There will also be an opportunity to meet with an experienced facilitator for a group Q+A session.
We invite applications from people with lived-experience of BDD, as well as people who have received CBT or trained in the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and who have skills in group facilitation or peer-support.
This is a unique and rewarding role, with the opportunity to support and guide individuals through the 20 week group therapy programme.
What do previous Facilitators say?
- “It’s overall an incredibly rewarding process. In particular it can be heartwarming hearing about individual recovery ‘wins’ that people have as a result of the programme. E.g. Being able to go swimming with son for the first time ever.”
- “I am confident that I learn as much from attendees as they do from me. Their honesty, insight, openness and support to one another is like nothing else, and I’ve had moments that bring up a lot of emotion because their experience resonates with me so much. I feel genuinely humbled and honoured to be a part of their BDD journey. It’s challenging at times, but so rewarding.”
- “Hearing so many success stories about changes they had made, hearing so much positivity around them being with other people with the same MH condition as them. Plus from a personal point of view, learning so many ways for me to manage my own BDD, and working with some other amazing facilitators!”
How to apply
Please submit a CV and a personal statement (max 600 words) to gem@bddfoundation.org which highlights the following:
- Your (direct/indirect) experience with BDD
- Why you would like to apply for this position
- Your relevant experience (either as an expert-by-experience, an expert-by-training or both)
- What relevant skills and qualities you have
Please submit your CV and personal statement to gem@bddfoundation.org by 11.59pm on 10th March 2024.
Please note, this post is open to those based in the UK, age 18+ and is subject to an enhanced DBS check.