Students and Volunteers

Students and Volunteers We are very fortunate to have great relationships with both Queensland University of Technology and The University of Queensland. We offer several student placements each semester in a range of areas.

Barbara Hogan (Master of Social Work, QUT) October 2019 – Feb 2020

My Social Work placement at EDQ was wonderful and rich with learning. The staff were warm, respectful and welcoming, and demonstrated the utmost professionalism, integrity and care. I was fortunate to move across the Therapeutic Group program, the Peer Mentor Program and Recovery Warriors solidifying skills and practice informed by social work theory, feminist and anti-oppressive practice and a trauma informed approach. My experience gave me a greater understanding of the intersectionality between gender inequality and disordered eating on a macro level; as well as the importance of kindness and empathy on an individual level in the recovery space. I feel very grateful for being placed in such an exceptional, contributive organisation.

Sarah Larsen (Master of Counselling, UQ) Feb 2019 – October 2019

“Being a student on placement through EDQ was an amazing experience that I feel so fortunate to have had. From the moment I began my placement, I felt warmly welcomed by all members of the team. I gained so many valuable skills, and got to help facilitate many of the services ran through EDQ. My time at EDQ as a student was an incredible enhancement to my own practice, as well as being a highly enjoyable experience that has positively impacted my career.

Hannah Brumm (Bachelor of Public Health, QUT) March 2019 – Nov 2019 Jessice Demuth (Masters of Counselling, UQ) Feb 2019 – Nov 2019 Annie Wong (Bachelor Health Sciences, UQ) July 2019 – Nov 2019

Laura Oakley (Master of Public Health, QUT) November 2019 – ongoing Laura has been working with EDQ staff to develop an evidence-based early intervention project for delivery in the high school environment. This program will empower student ‘mentors’ to create change in the attitudes towards body image and eating in their class and school, through the delivery of a studentdeveloped awareness activity. This project is currently on hold due to COVID.

Our planned 2020 placements were heavily impacted by COVID-19, with our offices closing for face-to-face services just a few weeks after most placements began. This meant we were no longer able to provide students with the appropriate opportunities for learning. The respective universities stepped up and created alternative opportunities for all students impacted in this way, and adjusted the required in-person placement hours to reflect the difficult circumstances caused by COVID-19.

We thank Diana Law, Brenda Ward, Georgia Darr, and Caitlin Thamm for their understanding in this area, and wish them the best of luck in their studies and careers.