Current Position
Along with professional indemnity insurance, trade union support and CPD, BDA members say they most value membership for the community it brings, especially specialist group access, networking and branches. In an increasingly digital world, these connections are growing in importance.
Over the last three years our membership has grown to over 11,200 and over 55% of our members belong to at least one specialist group. The number of specialist groups and sub-groups have expanded and we are now close to 40 groups.
We have responded to this trend by increasing the support available to our volunteers in groups and branches and re-invigorating some of our less-active branches. To provide access for those who were missing out we have launched four new membership categories - ‘Return to Practice’, ‘Associate Student’, ‘SENR Student’ and ‘International Student’.
We have also invested in the development of the Sports, Exercise and Nutrition Register (SENR).
In our last membership survey, reported on in 2023, our members cited the need for us to build a fully inclusive, professional association, with ‘community’ and ‘belonging’ sentiments being highly rated. It is therefore important that we create a home for all involved within the profession regardless of their role.
We will need to consider how we communicate with our different members, using knowledge management better to segment and personalise our support wherever appropriate.
The value of the BDA is not within our own membership alone. The BDA is connected with, and will continue to be connected with like-minded organisations both nationally and internationally.
We participate actively in the Allied Health Professions Federation (AHPF) across the UK, the European Federation of Associations of Dietitians (EFAD) and the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations (ICDA).
We contribute to shared work, which furthers collective aims for AHPs, and maintain positive relationships with appropriate agencies and bodies. We also have close working relationships with individual dietetic associations around the world, which we will continue to foster.
By 2034
To achieve our aspirational growth target of ‘20,000 satisfied members by 2034’ we will need to continue to listen to members and respond nimbly to their feedback. By understanding what is important to and for members we can grow the membership base in a way that increases value to all.
We also need to acknowledge and celebrate our history and the work of those who came before in the development of the dietetic profession.
By 2034 BDA members will have:
- A thriving, dynamic, diverse and inclusive community that:
- Supports, promotes and advances the dietetic profession.
- Is actively engaged in volunteering and advancing our expert specialist group networks.
- Benefits from BDA partnerships that will add value for members.
- Is comprised of expert communities leading and delivering education, training, advice, resources and expertise to support and develop the dietetic body of knowledge.
- Is the go-to authority for business, public sector, the media and the public to access nutritional/dietetic expertise, and is the leading trusted body of expert nutrition and dietetic professionals worldwide.
By 2027 we will deliver:
- A membership base of 13,000 with reporting to the Board on membership diversity.
- New accessible online service offerings to all members which support the wider work programme.
- Growth in SENR with a 20% increase of practitioner and academic registrants and a 15% increase of endorsed and accredited programmes
- Targeted action to grow interest in joining the profession at all levels and age groups through career adviser awareness, supported by career tools on the website.
- Recruitment of new members through promotion of the value of BDA membership and retention.
- An increase to 60% of members belonging to at least one specialist group.
- A volunteer support plan, having conducted a listening exercise with at least 10% of our members represented.
- Updated service offerings to groups and branches in consultation with them.
- A partnership income increase of 15% to support the wider business and deliver member benefits.
- A plan for each of our commercial partners to amplify the voice of the BDA generally and specialist groups specifically.
- A mechanism for better understanding member interests, priorities and expertise areas to create meaningful connections to influence at all levels.
- An increased number of core BDA annual events, which will all be accessible for our diverse membership.
- An established profile of dietetic clinical experts as recognised leaders in the science of nutrition and dietetic practice, research and innovation focussed on improving the health and wellbeing of the UK population.