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  7. Student Member - Mental Health Specialist Group

Student Member - Mental Health Specialist Group

If you would like to be nominated for this role, please complete your details below and we will be in touch to discuss next steps.

Aims and Objectives of the Group

  • To promote the role of the dietitian in the care and treatment of children, adolescents, adults and older people with mental illness and learning disabilities.
  • To promote communication between dietitians working in the field of mental illness and learning disabilities
  • To provide specialist evidence-based advice and information
  • To promote the development of evidence-based practice in the field of mental illness and learning disabilities
  • To promote the role of the dietitian in mental illness and learning disabilities at a national level
  • To address and contribute emerging national policy related to mental illness and learning disabilities

What the post has to offer

As a Student Member, you will work with the committee to represent student members, learn new skills and support the successful delivery of projects, education and networking for sub group members. You’ll have a particularly important role in providing views and perspectives of BDA student members, getting involved in projects of interest and promoting the work of the committee to students.

We don’t expect you to do it alone; you’ll work closely with the sub group committee and with the support of the BDA staff team. This role offers the opportunity to network and learn from established committee members and dietitians to help you develop skills in key areas.  

Through this role you will gain organisation, communication and project management skills, which can translate directly into career development. It will also give you an opportunity to network with dietitians across the BDA, building networks, sharing knowledge and skills.

Main duties and responsibilities

  • Support the committee in delivery of sub group projects.
  • Work closely with the BDA’s Volunteering Team, seeking advice and guidance where needed.
  • Learn from committee members with specific portfolios, getting involved and leading on specific projects as required.
  • Undertake specific tasks as agreed with the committee e.g., social media, work on specific projects and tasks.
  • Represent the views and perspectives of BDA student members.
  • Promote the branch to students, including the promotion of events, resources and webinars.

Training Support and Resources

Support for this role is offered by key committee members who work as a team to set strategy, determine priorities and lead the committee to success.

We have a variety of resources, tools and training available to support this role including:

  • Full induction with BDA staff and a full handover from the previous Student Member.
  • Training and development opportunities to help build personal and professional skills including workshops, webinars and the BDA’s annual volunteer conference.
  • Committee leadership training to help build skills in strategy and governance.
  • Access to our volunteer handbook and Volunteer Hub providing a range of resources and guidance.
  • Regular communications including a monthly volunteer ezine with BDA updates and opportunities.
  • Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and access to our volunteer forums.

Length of service and commitment

Student members who undertake this role often transition into a full committee role once they have graduated. There are a number of training and development opportunities available, including a detailed induction with BDA staff and governance training to be undertaken upon commencement of each term.

Committee meetings are held regularly and can be attended virtually if required. There is a varying and flexible amount of work in between meetings which is dependent on the strategy, workplans and projects agreed to by the committee. 

The sub group holds a minimum of one event for members a year which includes the Annual General Meeting It is typical for the committee to attend these events.

Appointment method

To apply for this role please submit a nomination form. Nominees must be a member of the group and provide the names and signatories of two BDA members to support their nomination. If you would like an informal, confidential discussion about the role and the nomination process, please contact Steph Sloan at [email protected]


Members who support my application

First member

Second member


Declaring conflicts of interest

Council has decided that it is good practice for all members who represent the BDA on outside bodies, who are completing specific pieces of work for the BDA, are executive committee members of specialist groups or members of standing committees to register any interests which may be perceived as potentially generating a conflict of interests with BDA business.

The definition of what needs to be recorded is: the interests of a member which might reasonably be thought by others to influence their actions in their capacity as a BDA member acting on behalf of the BDA. This is consistent with our Members’ Charter and the way other councils work (including the Health Professions Council).

This form will be held confidentially by the BDA Chief Executive and the Honorary Secretary. It will be completed by anyone representing the BDA externally or taking on a distinct piece of work, where the BDA thinks it appropriate that the member complete it. It may be used if a conflict of interests arises and  Council or the Investigatory Committee decides that it needs to access it.

Please complete the following details as fully as possible and declare any possible conflict of interest you may have. Click on either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to answer each question.

I confirm that the information given on this form is correct and understand that failure to disclose relevant information may result in my role representing the BDA being terminated.

I agree that the information I have provided may be disclosed to the Council or the Investigatory Committee if requested.

I acknowledge that, under the terms of my membership of the BDA, I must comply with the rules and policies of the BDA, professional Codes of Conduct and the Members’ Charter. In particular, I will ensure that:

  • I act in the best interests of the BDA
  • I uphold confidentiality and ensure that any information obtained during a visit is used solely for the purposes of the BDA and is not divulged to any person or third party.
  • I conduct myself appropriately and treat all present with equal respect.