For more information, contact reception on 01224 438900.
Love …..Respect………”I am”
Life is ultimately personal, human
Mind, body, soul, freedom.
Freedom is golden, freedom is difficult
The body needs nurtured: this will lead
to self-acceptance.
Helping, connected, unexpected light
Being comfortable with outside silence
Grounded, change,
Communication is music, should be honest.
This poem was created collectively by the group attending the Wellbeing Day on Saturday April 28th 2018. The group consisted of some of our group members past and present, some of our volunteers and some of our carer members. The task was led by Francine Dulong of BodyGossip.
We have been very fortunate recently to have enjoyed some success through the Youth Philanthropy Initiative.
One of Peterhead Academy’s S5 teams were runners up in their school’s competition and one of our volunteers, Alison Lynch met with the team and collected a £200 donation for our charity.
Following that success, a team of S2’s from Meldrum Academy secured their school’s winning spot, and presented us with a cheque of £3000.
All the presentations were of a very high standard, so they did very well indeed.
Alison Lynch had visited the team, answering their questions and giving them details of what NEEDS(Scotland) does, and also, very importantly, how we would spend the money.
Unfortunately, Alison was unable to attend the final, so Mel Stevenson and Heather Cassie went along. They took the opportunity to model our stylish NEEDS(Scotland) hoodies, which are great for promoting our charity when we attend any awareness raising events.
We cannot thank all the schools involved and also the Youth Philanthropy Initiative for their work in this area, which not only has given us the chance to win the prize money, but also allows us to raise awareness of eating disorders in the school community and also amongst the parents of pupils.
Many thanks to all concerned, but especially the pupils.
Peterhead Academy’s S5 YPI 2018 team
Meldrum Academy’s S2 YPI 2018 team
Here are some photos from our recent Wellbeing Day held at the Inspire Building on the Beach Boulevard.
Workshops were Bodytalk with Francine Dulong from BodyGossip and Laughter Yoga with Helen Spence. Claire from me2you nails created some very stylish nails. Taster complementary therapies were also available including, Shiatsu, massage, reflexology, and reiki.
This was a free event, the result of Albyn School’s winning presentation in their YPI competition resulting in a £3000 donation to NEEDS(Scotland).
The photos include some of the group mimes of situations which help us read, and situations where we feel stressed and uncomfortable.
There are also photos of the timeline we created together of happy and sad events in our lives.
You can also see photos of Helen Spence leading the Laughter Yoga session and an example of Claire’s nail painting skills.
It was a great day, which left everyone very relaxed, chilled and looking forward to the next Wellbeing Day!
Join us for a day of positivity, relaxation & pampering.
This is a free event open to all NEEDS & Bridging the Gap members, past or present, Friends, family & carers. Everyone is Welcome.
After the success of our two previous Wellbeing Days, we are holding a third on Saturday 28th April 2018 at Cafe Coast, in Aberdeen. We welcome all group members and their carers, to this event, which includes workshops featuring Body Image and Laughing Yoga, a light lunch and taster sessions of various complimentary therapies. Some “me” time for everyone!
More details coming soon………..
North East schools continue to show interest in raising awareness of eating disorders by representing NEEDS(Scotland) in their school Youth Philanthropy Initiative competition. Teams of pupils who can any stage from S2-6 chose a socially based local charity and present on their behalf.
To date, NEEDS(Scotland) has won individual school competitions three times, with Portlethen Academy, Robert Gordon’s College and Albyn School.
We are indebted to anyone who raises awareness of eating disorders, as it is so important for young people to be able to recognise the signs of someone having difficulties, and to be able to talk to someone about their concerns.
The pupils we have worked with have all shown real enthusiasm for learning about our charity and what we do. A team from Peterhead Academy have recently presented NEEDS(Scotland) with a cheque for £200 awarded to them as runners up in their school’s competition.
We would like to thank the team of S5 pupils for doing an excellent job and being great ambassadors for their school when they came to visit our office. Well done!
On Sunday 11th June 2017 members of the Bridging the Gap group completed a sponsored walk over the Tay Bridge. The idea of walking the bridge came from group members as it is symbolic with the groups ethos of Bridging the Gap into recovery and also as it’s a local landmark crossing the river Tay. There were 17 participants of all ages the youngest being 4 years old and who entertained us the whole way.
The weather started off a little drizzly but soon the sun came out and we enjoying the warmth. The start point was the Apex Hotel and it was decided that to complete the walk we had to touch the wall on the Fife side and then walk back to the Apex Hotel. We started at 11am and all had completed the walk by 1:30pm.
We would like to thank the Apex Hotel for supporting us in our first walk by providing refreshments in the form of cold water.
It was agreed by all it was a fabulous day and it was intimated that this could become an annual event.
Thank you to all group members who collected monies. Once all the monies had been counted it came to £1243 which is a fantastic effort by all.
The monies will be used by the group to secure our current venue and also to purchase books and other beneficial educational material for the group.
What does Christmas mean to you? For most of us, it is many things, Friends and families coming together, works nights out, buying gifts for our nearest and dearest, writing out Christmas cards…I could go on!
For those struggling with an eating disorder, and their carers, it can instigate sheer panic. It becomes all about massive amounts of food, and more food, taking away any enjoyment, and adding huge anxieties. Carers become anxious about their loved ones being anxious and the combined anxieties can wind up stress levels.
Over the years NEEDS(Scotland) have built up a bank of helpful strategies from group members which can help you cope with this time of year. We are always looking for more ideas, so if you feel you can add to what we have, email our administrator via our contact form, and we will add them to our leaflet.
Our December meeting dates are NEEDS(Aberdeen) Monday 4th December at 7.30pm, and NEEDS2 Bridging the Gap in Dundee on Wednesday 13th December at 7pm.
Everyone at NEEDS(Scotland) wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2018.
NEEDS(Scotland) is a self help group. It has been around for 22 years now in one form or another supporting those affected by eating disorders and also carers, friends and families. Many group members have come and gone and appreciated the support they have had.
Over the past few months I have witnessed our group working at its very best with volunteer facilitators, members at all stages of these horrible illnesses and carers too, really showing how self help works. I commend everyone involved for their empathy, their compassion and willingness to help those in need.
Living with an eating disorder is a constant struggle. Our group members understand that more than anyone. Recovery IS possible!
