Here is a news update from our groups in Tayside and Aberdeen. NEEDS2 Bridging the Gap have been busy lately, fundraising and raising awareness in Tayside with a very successful sponsored walk across the Tay Road Bridge, bridging that gap and raising well over £500 for the group to spend on resources and accommodation amongst other things. More details of the exact amount raised will follow later.
Following the winding up of the Aberdeen group’s Arts and Crafts Group, due to low attendance, the materials purchased have been distributed to group members along with scrapbooks for individual use to create their art and design work and record positive affirmations, writing and poetry. One of our group members very kindly shared her own scrapbook which was beautifully done and inspired others to have a go at producing their own. Larger materials such as paint and card making items will go to the Eden Unit, and colouring books and pencils to the Young Persons’ Department. Donating in this way should raise awareness of our self help group in the wider hospital community and hopefully encourage others to attend the group when they can. Although we are an adult group, carers of younger people can attend.
On that note, two volunteers from NEEDS(Scotland) are initiating a Coffee, Care and Share Session on Thursday 24th August in the Oak Room, Young Peoples’ Department, Lower Garden Villa, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen AB25 2ZH from 10.30-12noon, and on Thursday September 28th from 7.30-9pm. The aim is to offer support informally to those caring for young people affected by an eating disorder, and encourage carers to support each other. If you are interested in attending, please email our administrator via our contact form.
Happy New Year to all our group members and their familiesJanuary 14, 2023 - 7:08 pm
Wellbeing Day……save the date!
/in NEEDS Aberdeen News, NEEDS Dundee News/by Heather CassieAfter 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………..
Raising awareness through the Youth Philanthropy Initiative
/in NEEDS Aberdeen News/by Heather CassieNorth 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!
Dundee’s Bridging the Gap sponsored walk raises £1243
/in NEEDS Dundee News/by Bridging the Gap FacilitatorsOn 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.
Coping with Christmas
/in News/by Heather CassieWhat 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.
Self help at its best
/in News/by Heather CassieNEEDS(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!
Support for those caring for adolescents with eating disorders
/in NEEDS Aberdeen News/by Heather CassieNEEDS(Scotland) have now held two very successful Coffee Care and Share sessions within the Young Peoples’ Department at Royal Cornhill Hospital.
Two volunteer facilitators led the groups, one held in the morning, and one in the evening, to gauge interest in developing a self help group specifically for those caring for youngsters affected by eating disorders. Both groups were very well attended and had very positive dynamics. Everyone contributed in some way, and supported each other.
We hope to repeat these sessions in 2018, and hopefully recruit a couple of carers to lead the sessions along with us. We do understand how scary and difficult it is to cope with a young person challenged by these horrible illnesses, but we also see the benefits of coming together in a safe setting to share and support others in similar situations. If you think you can help, please get in touch with our administrator via our contact form.
Initially we would hope to run Coffee Care and Share sessions, perhaps quarterly, depending on interest and availability of volunteers. Each session lasts for 90 minutes, and is basically an informal coffee and chat. However, we must stress the importance of confidentiality as always. Watch this space for our first 2018 date!
Christmas shopping online? Support NEEDS(Scotland)!
/in News/by Heather CassieIt’s getting to that time of year…..Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas Markets… If you prefer to do your shopping online, please remember us at NEEDS(Scotland). Have a look at the Help us section of this website and you will find a link to www.easyfundraising.org.
Once you register to support us, you are only a click away from getting donations from many of the popular retailers such as Amazon, John Lewis and Marks and Spencers for our charity! You can do all your grocery shopping or even book flights or a holiday through this site.
All the donations mount up and currently we have £156.46 raised so far, just by shopping, but clicking on easy fundraising first! Don’t delay….register today, and carry on shopping!
Mini Mindfulness experience for group members
/in NEEDS Aberdeen News/by Heather CassieNEEDS(Scotland) Aberdeen were treated to a mini mindfulness workshop at our meeting on Monday October 2nd.
Louise Martin of The Meditation Shack Ltd came along and led us in 45 minutes of mindful meditation. Louise has previously led a session for us at one of our Wellbeing days which we really enjoyed, and one of our volunteers suggested inviting her along one of our monthly meetings. The session left everyone feeling very relaxed and calm, a great way to begin group sharing sessions.
Louise very generously donated some Breathe magazines to those present. Breathe explores mindfulness and looks at how ways to help us relax and de-clutter our minds. There is a website at www.breathemagazine.co.uk, and also a Teen Breathe which you may wish to explore for younger people.
Louise has a Facebook page The Meditation Shack Ltd which you may wish to explore.
Bridging the Gap amazing fundraising effort
/in News/by Heather CassieNEEDS(Scotland)2 Bridging the Gap is our satellite group based in Dundee. On June 10th the group organised a fundraising sponsored walk, “bridging the gap” across the Tay Road Bridge. We now have the final total of monies raised which is an amazing £1243. Congratulations and well done to the organisers and all those who took part on the day. The funds will be used for building up resources for the group and also will help pay for rental of rooms at The Dundee Carers’ Centre. Bridging the Gap meet on the second Wednesday of every month, from 7pm-9pm. Dates are posted on the Meetings page of our website.
This is a self help group which welcomes both adults affected by any eating disorder and carers too. After an initial discussion together, the groups continue in separate confidential settings. Enquiries about this group or NEEDS(Scotland) Aberdeen should be made via our contact form or by telephone on 01224 557672. Please be aware that this is an answering service, but our administrator will return your call as soon as possible.
News Update
/in News/by Heather CassieHere is a news update from our groups in Tayside and Aberdeen. NEEDS2 Bridging the Gap have been busy lately, fundraising and raising awareness in Tayside with a very successful sponsored walk across the Tay Road Bridge, bridging that gap and raising well over £500 for the group to spend on resources and accommodation amongst other things. More details of the exact amount raised will follow later.
Following the winding up of the Aberdeen group’s Arts and Crafts Group, due to low attendance, the materials purchased have been distributed to group members along with scrapbooks for individual use to create their art and design work and record positive affirmations, writing and poetry. One of our group members very kindly shared her own scrapbook which was beautifully done and inspired others to have a go at producing their own. Larger materials such as paint and card making items will go to the Eden Unit, and colouring books and pencils to the Young Persons’ Department. Donating in this way should raise awareness of our self help group in the wider hospital community and hopefully encourage others to attend the group when they can. Although we are an adult group, carers of younger people can attend.
On that note, two volunteers from NEEDS(Scotland) are initiating a Coffee, Care and Share Session on Thursday 24th August in the Oak Room, Young Peoples’ Department, Lower Garden Villa, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen AB25 2ZH from 10.30-12noon, and on Thursday September 28th from 7.30-9pm. The aim is to offer support informally to those caring for young people affected by an eating disorder, and encourage carers to support each other. If you are interested in attending, please email our administrator via our contact form.