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Facebook page Eating Disorder Support North East Scotland

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

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)

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.

Journeying Through December and Building a Jar of Joy

The end of a year is a time for getting together with family and friends to celebrate the holiday season.
It can be daunting with its festive gatherings and abundance of food, however, it’s essential to recognise
that this period is just a few days in the grand scheme of the year.


Acknowledging your concerns and sharing them with a trusted friend or family member can be a valuable
step. Also, having someone to help you plan ahead as to what you could have, will help to ease any anxieties.


As we approach the year’s end and reflect on the journey of the past months, it’s crucial to embrace the
idea that progress is continuous, even in the face of setbacks. Starting afresh in the new year offers an
opportunity to cultivate a positive mindset. Consider kickstarting your year, by keeping a daily journal of
uplifting moments. These moments could be real achievements or simple joys—a heartfelt triumph, a
meeting with someone special or a walk in the countryside.


Create a ritual by jotting down these positive experiences each day and place each one in a dedicated
box or jar. By the close of 2024, you’ll have a container filled with happy memories to reflect on. This will
not only serve as a testament to your personal growth but also provide you with a tangible reminder of
the positivity and resilience within you.


Remember, the journey toward recovery is unique for each individual and the holiday season is just a
quick snapshot in the album of your year. Celebrate the victories, no matter how small and surround
yourself with a support system that uplifts you during challenging moments. You have the strength to
overcome obstacles, and each step forward, no matter how small, contributes to the remarkable story of
your resilience and progress.


Wishing everyone a very happy and relaxed festive season, and best wishes for the coming year,
from everyone at NEEDS(Scotland).


Our next meeting is on Monday 8th January 2024 at 7.30 pm

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

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

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. 

Eating Disorder Support Meeting Aberdeen Dundee

Dundee meeting news

Unfortunately Bridging the Gap is still unable to meet as there is an ongoing problem with evening staffing at the Dundee Carers’ Centre. We will advise everyone when meetings can resume. However, all those seeking support in the Dundee area are very welcome to attend meetings in Aberdeen on the first Monday of each month.

2021 Christmas

Christmas Greetings 2021

I can’t believe it is December once more, and we are getting closer to the festive season. Once again Covid means that we may be facing some restrictions, but some gatherings will certainly go ahead. This may mean that some of our group members may be feeling apprehensive. It would be good if you can share your worries with someone, either a friend, loved one, or perhaps the online/telephone support at www.beatingeatingdisorders.org.uk.

Decide what you are having to eat beforehand if you can. If that’s not possible, don’t worry. Try and make sure you have someone on hand to give you support if you need it. Remember, an eating disorder is like a bully, it does not take kindly to you having friends and family to help out. Some of you may not have as much support as others, but remember, Christmas is only one day, and it too will pass. Don’t worry, you are doing well and you will get there!

If you are a carer, try to help your loved one plan what they’re eating well ahead of the event and then focus more on the other Christmas activities such as, a walk in the fresh air, the present opening session, Christmas movies and games, or even caring for pets. Animals can be very therapeutic.

….. and something to look forward to ……

A team from Peterhead Academy chose to represent our charity for their school’s Youth Philanthropy Initiative and won £3000 for us!! This means that we can plan another Wellbeing Day with workshops and complementary therapies to be enjoyed by our group members and their carers. Many thanks go to the winning team for all their hard work and also for raising awareness of eating disorders in their school. We really do appreciate it.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year from everyone at NEEDS(Scotland).

“Asking for help isn’t giving up,” said the horse, “It’s refusing to give up.”

Christmas Greetings 2020

We know that the festive season is a challenging time for those with eating disorders and their families, but this year with the pandemic, it is even more so. You will get through this by taking a little step at a time, and being kind to yourself. Everyone at NEEDS(Scotland) wishes our group members and their loved ones the best Christmas they can have, and hopefully in the New Year we can look to the longer days and Spring bulbs. Although we cannot hold our usual group meetings, we can direct you to telephone and or online support through the national eating disorders charity Beat at www.beateatingdisorders.org

Merry Christmas, best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year and remember,

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Unknown

“I can’t see a way through, said the boy,

“Can you see the next step?”

“Yes.”

“Just take that.” said the horse.

“What else do you think?” said the boy.

“I think you are doing better than you think.”said the horse.

“Asking for help isn’t giving up,” said the horse, “It’s refusing to give up.”

Charlie Mackesy

support

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

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

climb a hill instead

Another poem to help you through the days ahead

The Mountain

If the mountain seems too big today

then climb a hill instead.

If the morning brings you sadness

it’s ok to stay in bed.

If the day ahead weighs heavy

and your plans feel like a curse,

there’s no shame in re-arranging,

don’t make yourself feel worse.

If a shower stings like needles

and a bath feels like you’ll drown,

if you haven’t washed your hair for days,

don’t throw away your crown.

A day is not a lifetime

a rest is not defeat,

don’t think of it as failure,

just a quiet, kind retreat.

It’s ok to take a moment

from an anxious, fractured mind,

the world will not stop turning

while you get realigned.

The mountain will still be there

when you want to try again,

you can climb it in your own time,

just love yourself ’til then.

by Laura Ding-Edwards