2020 Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Looking forward…….

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All the volunteers at NEEDS(Scotland) both in Dundee and in Aberdeen hope that everyone had a peaceful and relaxed festive season. We are now in a new year, and also a new decade. Many people make resolutions, look back and look forward, some with confidence, some with anxiety. For those of you who are following the road to recovery from an eating disorder, or supporting someone who is, here are some inspiring quotes to help you look forward to your personal goal.

  • “You need to be content with small steps. That’s all life is. Small steps that you take every day, so when you look back down the road it all adds up and you know you covered some distance.” Katie Kacvinsky
  • “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” Vincent van Gogh
  • ” Each step you take reveals a new horizon. you have taken the first step today. Now I challenge you to take another.” Dan Poynter
  • “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” Robert Collier
  • “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” Chinese Proverb
  • “Take small steps every day and one day you will get there. ” Unknown
  • “One may walk over the highest mountain one step at a time.” John Wanamaker
Bruno from Therapets- Relaxing on the floor

Therapets become regular visitors at group sessions

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We recently initiated quarterly 30 minute visits from Therapets. There have been three so far, providing a welcome distraction from any anxieties before our sharing sessions begin. Our “regulars” are Bruno, the German Shepherd and Dougal, the American Doodle. Bruno is very laid back, comes in and instantly relaxes on the carpet. Dougal is much more inquisitive and wants to meet everyone individually, wagging his tail continuously.

This month we had two new visitors, Jazz a Golden Doodle, and Ellie, a working cocker spaniel. Once again both dogs proved to be a welcome distraction, and conversation starter.

NEEDS(Scotland) recognises the part animals can play in lifting our moods and offering unconditional love without any judgement. We are very grateful to the Therapet owners who give their time to support us by sharing their pets with us.

  • Therapets- Dougal
  • Therapets- Bruno
  • Therapets- American Doodle
  • Bruno Relaxing
  • Therapets doggy visitor
Wellbeing Day 2

Rising to the challenge of supporting recovery through wellbeing

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NEEDS(Scotland) strive to help adults challenged by eating disorders and their carers towards recovery. One way we can do this is by promoting wellbeing in a variety of ways. We are very fortunate to have a new volunteer who uses her skills as a trained massage therapist, as well as volunteering as a facilitator. She has very kindly offered short sessions of chair based massage on selected group nights, and has also offered sessions at our recent Wellbeing Day. Massage can aid relaxation and offer our group members some time for themselves. We are very appreciative of all our volunteers, and especially grateful for any skills which they may share.

Wellbeing Day 2

NEEDS Wellbeing Day 24th August 2019

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Wellbeing class – Build your confidence with this beginner’s class at Aberdeen Sports Village each Tuesday afternoon.

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Meeting Cancelled

10th July 2019 Dundee Meeting Cancelled

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Due to lack of facilitators we will unfortunately have to cancel the July group on Wednesday 10th.

Our next group night will be Wednesday 14th August at usual time and venue.

We apologise for any inconvenience & look forward to seeing you in August.

Kind regards

Bridging the Gap

Wellbeing Day 2

Body and Mind Wellbeing Class

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Wellbeing class – Build your confidence with this beginner’s class at Aberdeen Sports Village each Tuesday afternoon.

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SEDIG Carers Conference

2019 SEDIG Carer’s Conference

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Next years SEDIG Carer’s Conference will take place on Saturday 9th February 2019 at The Edinburgh Training & Conference Venue, St. Mary’s Street, Edinburgh. Should you wish to attend, NEEDS(Scotland) will pay your conference fee. Please let our Administrator know if you sign up for this event and pass on the receipt for your fee in order for you to be re-imbursed.

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Highland Eating Disorders Service Logo

The Highland Eating Disorders Service

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The Highland Eating Disorders Service are holding some meetings for carers over the next couple of months to help them develop their coping skills when they are helping a loved one through their recovery. If you are keen to attend, please note the contact number given on the poster.

There is also some interest on starting a carers support group based in Inverness. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer facilitator, could you please contact the service using the number given. There is no experience required except some knowledge of what it is like to support someone challenged by an eating disorder, and a wish to help others in similar situations.

Click here for more details.

Have you got your Wellbeing Voucher?

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Due to the amazing generosity and drive of the charities group at Robert Gordon’s College, NEEDS(Scotland) received a donation of £2500. It was decided that this money should be used to promote wellbeing amongst our group members, carers and volunteers, as we have had so much success with our Wellbeing Days. There are a limited amount of £50 gift vouchers available, one per group member, to be used at The Rosemount Centre in Aberdeen, which has a number of complementary therapies available, such as Reiki, reflexology, massage and Shiatsu.

If you have not requested a voucher yet, please email Irene. Vouchers will be available for collection on Monday 5th  November and Monday 3rd December. No more vouchers will be available after this date.

Many thanks once again to all those at Robert Gordon’s College who contributed to this fantastic total.

Mindfulness

September presentation- The role of the physiotherapist in eating disorders

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Prior to our sharing session at the September meeting, Sandra Philip-Rafferty, Highly Specialist Physiotherapist with the Adult Outpatient Service in Aberdeen, came along and gave us a very interesting insight on the physiotherapist’s role within the multi-disciplinary team. She highlighted the different ways physiotherapy could be used, such as for relaxation, tension management and breathing, the unity between body and mind, posture correction, exercise management, and the improvement of body image. Body size estimation can also be improved. Sandra took us through what happens when you eat, how food travels physically through the body, and also how food can  sometimes affect the brain with fears causing tension. She also explained topics discussed in groups on body awareness which promote body acceptance, using relaxation, touch/massage, mirrors, mindfulness and enjoying exercise again at an acceptable level. Sandra then discussed the different stages of change when someone is affected by an eating disorder and how service users can be supported through these stages. There was an excellent attendance for Sandra’s presentation which was very informative and well received by everyone. We really appreciate Sandra giving up her free time to come along and speak to us.