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Student Member; Older People Specialist Group

Take your first step into professional volunteering and help shape the future of neurosciences dietetics all while building the skills and networks to launch your career. As our student member, your voice and perspective are genuinely valued, and you'll be supported every step of the way by an experienced, welcoming committee.

What the role offers
  • Real experience: Get involved in committee work, projects and events at a national level, gaining practical skills while you are still studying
  • Your voice matters: Bring the student perspective to the committee, influencing how the group supports and connects with the next generation of dietitians
  • Exceptional networks: Build relationships with experienced dietitians and BDA staff across the neurosciences specialism and beyond
  • Career development: Gain organisation, communication and project management skills that will set you apart as you enter the profession
Your role

You will support the committee across a range of projects and activities, representing student members and promoting the work of the group.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Represent the views and perspectives of BDA student members on the committee
  • Support the committee in the delivery of group projects
  • Learn from committee members with specific portfolios, getting involved in and leading on specific projects as agreed
  • Promote the specialism to students, including events, resources and webinars
  • Undertake specific duties as agreed with the committee, such as contributing to social media or working on particular tasks or projects
  • Work closely with the BDA Volunteer Manager, seeking advice and guidance where needed
Support and development

You will be fully supported throughout your term as this role is designed to be a learning experience as much as anything else. Support includes:

  • Full induction with BDA staff and a detailed handover from the previous postholder
  • Committee leadership and governance training to help build skills in strategy and governance
  • Ongoing guidance and mentorship from key committee members including the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer
  • Workshops, webinars and the BDA annual Volunteer Support Day
  • Access to the volunteer handbook, hub and monthly newsletter
  • Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and volunteer forums
Commitment 

We'd love for you to stay for the full one year term, with the option to extend for a further year if you're enjoying the role, giving you the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the group and the wider profession. Of course, as a volunteer we completely understand that life happens, and you're free to step back at any time.

To set you up for success from day one, you'll receive a detailed induction with BDA staff and where possible, the outgoing Student Member. Committee meetings are held regularly and can be attended virtually, with flexible work between meetings shaped by the strategy and projects the committee agrees together.

About the group
  1. Bring together Dietitians with an interest in the nutrition of older people – we believe nutrition for older adults is a specialism on a par with any other area of dietetic expertise
  2. Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and experience - OPSG has a discussion forum which we encourage members to use to post questions and offer replies
  3. Offer advice and support to Dietitians working with older people – our website provides access to an annually updated list of key national resources and guidelines on all aspects of nutrition in older adults
  4. Produce evidence-based resources to promote and encourage good nutrition for older people – we produce simple patient/carer resources which are available to purchase from NDR-UK   
  5. Build links with other agencies and voluntary organisations - we assist various national organisations and charities to improve the accuracy and appropriateness of their nutrition resources for older people
  6. Support research – we offer our support to relevant research projects                               
  7. Promote older people’s nutrition on Twitter and Instagram – follow us @BDA_olderpeople
  8. Champion the use of food as treatment in cases of malnutrition - we believe that our in-depth knowledge and understanding of food is one of the unique skills of Dietitians. In 2018 we produced OPSG guiding principles to demonstrate our core values.
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 Carlena 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.