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Facebook page Eating Disorder Support North East Scotland

Stay Connected with NEEDS (Scotland) – Facebook Launch and Meeting Dates

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NEEDS (Scotland) now have a Facebook page! We will post our next meeting dates there and also if there are any events happening. If any of you have any ideas or suggestions of what to include, such as podcasts, books or links which have helped you, please let us know.

We continue to fundraise through https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/needsscotland, and have recently achieved the fantastic total of £347.14 for our charity! That puts us in the top 50% of charities registered with them! So many of us make online purchases now and it really is easy to do. There is an app as well. A big thank you to those who already support NEEDS (Scotland) in this way.

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/needsscotland

Our next face to face meeting is on Monday 1st July in the Macrobin Centre at the Royal Cornhill Hospital. Jake our charming canine Therapet will be in attendance from around 7.15pm until the meeting begins.

We truly value the format our group takes, as getting support from fellow group members and facilitators who have been/are challenged by eating disorders, is so valuable. All carers are also very welcome. We have a separate group which runs currently but in a separate room facilitated by volunteers with experience as carers.

Do come along to one of our group evenings, you would be very welcome.

Welcome

Inspiring Journeys: A Glimpse into Recovery with Beat Lived Experience Ambassador Claire and the Impact of Support Groups at NEEDS(Scotland)

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This month, our NEEDS(Scotland) community was fortunate to welcome Claire, a Beat Lived Experience Ambassador, who generously shared her inspiring journey toward recovery. Claire’s presence was a catalyst for meaningful conversations, sparking introspection and inspiration among both individuals personally challenged by eating disorders and their dedicated caregivers.

Claire, with unwavering honesty, walked us through the twists and turns of her recovery journey, creating a space where everyone felt comfortable asking questions. Her openness was a powerful reminder of the importance of sharing these stories, turning them into beacons of hope for those navigating their own paths to wellness.

We extend our gratitude to Beat for training and supporting such remarkable individuals. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with four Beat Young Ambassadors who, as volunteer facilitators, have become beacons of hope for our group members and carers alike.

At NEEDS(Scotland), we meet on the first Monday of each month at the Macrobin Centre, Royal Cornhill Hospital. As a grassroots charity, we offer face-to-face sessions for adults facing eating disorders and also carers of both adults and young people. Our volunteer facilitators, who share personal experiences as either survivors or caregivers, foster a safe and confidential environment.

We are immensely thankful to Claire for dedicating her time and sharing her journey towards good health. Her presence at our sharing sessions, split between those personally challenged by eating disorders and their caring supporters, was an invaluable bonus.

If you believe you or a loved one could benefit from our sessions, we extend a warm welcome. Reach out to our administrator via our contact form or leave a message at 01224 557672. This is an answer service, but our administrator will return your call.

Your journey matters. You are not alone.

2023 eating disorder support Scotland - we can offer you support to help you achieve that goal

Happy New Year to all our group members and their families

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Everyone at NEEDS(Scotland) wishes you all the very best for 2023. Remember that all steps in the right direction, whether big or small, get you closer to your goal. NEEDS(Scotland) can offer you support to help you achieve that goal with monthly group self help sessions. Our facilitators all have experience of eating disorders, either personally or in supporting a friend or family member. We welcome any adult challenged by any eating disorder, carers and family members too, to come along to our group. For more details, contact our administrator.

We have now had a few months back in the Macrobin Centre which is our usual location, and we have seen our numbers return to pre- pandemic levels. Face to face meetings are so valuable for everyone, and we are lucky enough to have rooms where our group members can share their experiences safely and in confidence. Last month we resumed the quarterly visit from a Therapet and owner for the half hour before the start of our sharing sessions. We have had a variety of canine visitors now, some who love attention and strokes, and some who just want to lie on the floor contentedly, waiting for a treat or two. Animals can be so therapeutic, offering unconditional love, and bringing a smile to everyone’s faces.

We have also been fortunate to have three new volunteer facilitators join us, and we welcome their enthusiasm to support our group. One of these is a Beat Lived Experience Ambassador and she has been a great asset to our Carers’ group, recounting her story with the highs and lows along the way. This has been very much appreciated by our carer members giving a real and meaningful example of how recovery is possible.  Since we now have a few more facilitators, we hope to resume our Coffee Care and Share sessions with the Young Peoples Department within the next couple of months.

We also hope to restart inviting speakers to the group over the next few months and also planning for our next Wellbeing Day.

Although the start of a new year may be cold, dark and gloomy, we can look forward to the year ahead, brighter days, and new beginnings.

Eating Disorder Support Meeting Aberdeen Dundee

Aberdeen meetings update

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We have now returned to our usual meeting rooms in the Macrobin Centre, Royal Cornhill Hospital in Aberdeen and have already seen an increase in our numbers. This means we have our library and refreshments available once more. It also means that we are the only group using the facility at this time. Entrance to the Macrobin Centre is at the back of the building just past the entrance to the Adult Outpatient Eating Disorders Service. See our printable map.

Please also check out easyfundraising.org.uk, There is information and a link to the registration form on our Help us web page. With fewer shops in Aberdeen nowadays more and more of our shopping is done online. There is an easyfundraising app which can prompt you to ask for a donation when you shop with a huge number of retailers, including Amazon, Expedia and Booking.com This is such an easy way to raise money for NEEDS(Scotland).

Finally, in the Christmas 2021 post, we were able to announce that Peterhead Academy had won their school’s Youth Philanthropy competition by composing a presentation on our behalf. A team from Alford Academy also did a presentation on our behalf and won! We remain committed that this huge sum of money will go directly to support the wellbeing of our group members and carers, through complementary therapies, speakers and workshops. 

Conversations

Coronavirus update

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Hello everyone,

We hope you are all keeping well and coping as well as you can with the ongoing challenging times. We want you to know that NEEDS(Scotland) are still here, and although we cannot function as normal presently, we do hope to resume our group sessions as soon as Scottish Government guidelines allow. We have secured a room in premises located in central Aberdeen where we can hold small socially distanced meetings once we are permitted to do so. Obviously numbers will be limited, and meetings will only be for those personally challenged by an ED initially, on a “first come, first served” basis. If you are a carer, and you would be interested in a group meeting via Zoom, please email our administrator via our contact form.

Should you feel in need of advice or support the agencies listed below can help.

beateating disorders.org.uk

anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk

samh.org.uk

mha.uk.net

mind.org.uk

The NEEDS(Scotland) volunteers in Aberdeen and Dundee are thinking of you all as we move through this pandemic. Hopefully now, with a vaccination programme, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep going, little steps help make big changes.

support

Eating Disorder Support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

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Hi to all our group members out there.

As you probably know, hospitals are still closed off for non- essential appointments and meetings such as ours. Like everyone else, we have to wait for guidelines on how we can proceed. We do not offer one to one consultations, as we only have a few volunteers who are only trained to facilitate groups. Until then, we would still refer you to Beat for specialised support online. However, Mental Health Aberdeen are offering a telephone helpline to anyone who is finding it difficult to cope just now.

Take care folks, stay safe and stay well. We are thinking of you all.

Mental Health Aberdeen phone number

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

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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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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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.