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Another win in schools’ YPI competition

Once again, NEEDS(Scotland) are the winning charity in the Scottish schools’ Youth Philanthropy Initiative. A group of fourth year pupils from Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen triumphed with their presentation, raising awareness of eating disorders and highlighting the work that our charity does. The winning team were, Rhia Badial, Lloyd Ledingham, Jovana Jojo, Harriet Fyfe, Aidan Fulton and Albert Ibekwe. Other charities represented in this competition were Social Bite, Somebody Cares, The Archie Foundation and ACIS Aberdeen. The team were awarded £3000 for their chosen charity. NEEDS(Scotland) are absolutely delighted and look forward to working with the group to put their development plan into action, building on our concept of Wellbeing Days, and establishing a relationship with Sport Aberdeen in order to raise awareness of eating disorders amongst the coaches, young athletes and their parents.

The Youth Philanthropy Initiative challenges groups of secondary school pupils to choose a local socially based charity and present on their behalf, in front of their year groups and a panel of judges. This is a great opportunity for pupils to work together to raise awareness of their chosen charity.  A team from Portlethen Academy won their school competition for us last year. The winning team produced a short and very effective video highlighting a young girl’s struggle to recover from an eating disorder. NEEDS(Scotland) volunteers appreciate the chance to work with young people all over the north east. To win a competition like this twice is unbelievable, but we must also thank all the teams who participate in these initiatives as they all get important information out to their fellow pupils.

 

Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2016

The national charity B-eat had “Eating Disorders in the Workplace” as its theme this year. One of our volunteers, Paul Donald, created a display in the Edinburgh Woollen Mill based in Dobbies Garden Centre in Aberdeen to raise awareness of eating disorders and highlight the work of NEEDS(Scotland) and also MBEEDS, (Men and Boys Eating and Exercise Disorders Support)

We have also had a request to display information on eating disorders and what our charity does, at Anderson, Anderson and Brown, Professional Chartered Accountants in Aberdeen

Dennis Robertson, MSP, once again organised an Eating Disorders Conference at the Scottish Parliament which took place on Friday 26th February. The presentations were on four themes. You can access the debate held prior to the conference at www.theyworkforyou.com to hear various contributions from Dennis Robertson and other MSPs.

 

Early Intervention
This presentation highlighted a programme run by the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College, London.

The programme was for 18-25 year olds referred to the outpatients service, and offered a range of proven therapeutic interventions, including online support, group-based therapy, university holiday sessions and evening appointments with clinicians. All the patients on the programme improved rapidly. This presentation was very interesting and gives hope for more early intervention being used more widely.

 

Marsipan and Junior Marsipan
This presentation discussed the management of really sick patients with anorexia nervosa.

 

New Technology
This presentation highlighted a scheme which gets appropriate information to GPs so that they know exactly what is available for their patients.

 

Males with Eating Disorders
This presentation from Paul Donald of MBEEDS and Sam Thomas of MGEDT, (Men Get Eating Disorders Too) discussed the myths surrounding males with eating disorders, also focussed on how MBEEDS were raising awareness through displays and youtube presentations featuring a comedian Dave Chawner who has personal experience of an eating disorder. There was also a personal story featured.

Edinburgh Woollen Mill staff raise awareness of eating disorders in the workplace

Edinburgh Woollen Mill staff raise awareness of eating disorders in the workplace

Pottery Painting event

Ceramika Art Studio
245-247 Union Grove
Aberdeen AB10 6SX

Art Studio Event

Pottery Painting

Sat 13th February

2 – 4pm

FREE ENTRY

Due to a limited number of spaces available, confirmation of

attendance must be sent to Irene

via our contact form

Thanks Ellon Mums

A huge Thank you to The Ellon Mums for donating the proceeds of their nearly new sale. The fantastic amount of £250 was raised. Thanks to all involved from everyone at NEEDS.

Money donation

Film Event

There is still time for you to join us for a free showing of Seen but not Heard, a film funded by The Butterfly Bursary set up by NHS Lothian. Niamh Allen and our own Katie Bedford will be on hand to talk about making the film and answer any of your questions. Refreshments will be served very kindly by staff from Aberdeen Rosehill Trustees Savings Bank who have generously funded this event. The event takes place at Cafe Coast, Inspire Building, Beach Boulevard, Aberdeen AB24 5HP on Saturday November 7th, 2-4pm

Please support this event, as we are one of the first groups to view the film outside Lothian. Please email Irene our administrator to book a place via our contact form .

 

Local bank supports NEEDS (Scotland)

We are delighted to announce that the Rosehill branch of the Trustees Savings Bank have chosen NEEDS(Scotland) to be their nominated charity this year. They have very kindly pledged to raise £1000 for us which we will use to fund the screening of an ED related film. They have already presented us with £100 which we have used to buy cosy throws and cushions for our members to use on group nights.

So far, the bank staff have done a sponsored walk up Bennachie, and a 35mile “cycle” within the bank itself, during opening hours. This proved to be a great opportunity for raising awareness about eating disorders and what our charity does. They will also be holding a bake sale for customers and staff at Hallowe’en and holding a Christmas Hamper raffle.

Other suggestions for using the funds are :

  • pamper sessions e.g. massage, reiki and reflexology available
  • craft/board games sessions
  • printed recovery support leaflets for group members

If you would like to suggest anything please use the Contact Us page. We would be delighted to hear from you. This is YOUR group.

35 mile cycle to raise funds

Sponsored cycle within the bank

2015 Ceilidh Fundraiser

You can now get tickets for the NEEDS Scotland ceilidh fundraiser which is being held on Friday the 3rd April 2015 at Elphinstone Hall (Aberdeen University).

Call 07988 179473 for tickets (£12 for adults/ £10 concessions).

For those keen to get a table, the doors open at 7pm and the music starts 7.30ish.

NEEDS-Ceilidh-Aberdeen-2015

Torcher Parade 2015

The largest student-led parade in Europe – Aberdeen’s Torcher Parade – is on 28th March 2015 and we are hugely honoured to have been nominated by the Student Charities this year and to have 2 torch bearers.

Please come along on Saturday 28th March at 6.30pm to see us, and watch more than 2000 students in fancy dress and 30 decorated floats parade the streets of Aberdeen by torch light.

Torcher Parade 2015

Portlethen Academy win £3000 for NEEDS(Scotland)

Porthlethen-Academy-Pupils-Win

On the evening of 14th January, Porthlethen Academy held their final of their Youth Philanthropy Initiative. This is a project where the RMPS Department of secondary schools encourage pupils to form groups, research a local socially based charity and compose a presentation on that charity’s behalf. A winner is chosen per class, and then per school and that winning team is awarded £3000 for their chosen charity.

The winning team of second year pupils, were, Cara Bremner, Jasmine Collett, Craig McLennan and Kirsty Ross. Their presentation featured a very simple but powerful video set to music. We have been selected by quite a few schools already but no team has ever won, so many congratulations to the youngsters at Porthlethen Academy and very well done! As we receive no regular funding, the money will be greatly appreciated. We hope to put it towards facilitator training, and also a day of speakers and workshops for our group members, amongst other things. More details later.