Tuesday 17th May 2011 - Published by Robert Trigg - Communications Executive
Spiritual Industry Goes from Strength to Strength
Despite fears that spiritualistic service providers, such as mediums and psychics, would be put out of business following a change in the law, the spiritual industry has gone from strength to strength, according to its self-regulator.
The Spiritual Workers Association (SWA), based in Bridgend, South Wales, was formed just two years ago and already boasts a large membership, and continues to grow at a steady rate.
The organisation was formed as a reaction to the introduction of The Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, which replaced the Fraudulent Mediums Act. The new act was brought in to introduce a general duty not to trade unfairly and to seek to ensure that traders act honestly and fairly towards their customers.
There are now 4500 friends of the association and 500 full-paying members, enjoying many benefits, including insurance, legal and accountancy advice. The SWA also operates a malpractice policy, along with a complaint and scam reporting system, which is unrivalled within the industry.
Simon Curwood, Operations Manager at SWA, said: “The success of the SWA is evident, with 5000 members in total. I believe the SWA will continue to go from strength to strength and welcomes all spiritual workers who want to show they are trustworthy professionals.”
Before the SWA was established, there was no regulating association and no professional code of conduct for independent spiritual workers. The self-regulator also educates its members through its online magazine, on how to stay within the confines of the law and best practice for trading professionally and ethically.
Mr Curwood continued: “Back in 2008, the law was changed to a degree that shocked most psychics and mediums and other spiritual workers. The sceptics thought that the law would change the face of spiritual work forever, in a way that would eradicate all psychics and mediums from practicing.
“In fact the opposite has happened. With the new law the SWA was created. The SWA was sceptical of the law change at first but saw it as an opportunity to work closely with the law and to raise standards in the industry and raise awareness of the changes”, he concluded.
the SWA logo
