Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association

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• Worried about your eating disorder?

SWEDA are running a Support Groups, Drop-Ins and MSN Messenger Service for people affected by Eating Disorders, so if you're interested why not pop along or log on:-

MSN Messenger sessionsMondays from 6.30-8pm

Support Groups & Drop-Ins	Click here for a map
Drop-In 6:00 - 7:00pm Support Group 7:30 -9:00pm April - 1st, 15th and 29th May - 13th and 27th Come and seek help from SWEDA Support Workers and meet others affected by eating disorders at the Lifehouse, 533-535 Wimborne Road, Winton, Bournemouth BH9 2AP

Carers' Listening Service	Click here for a map
We are running a new Carers' Listening Service every Thursday at Lifehouse run by one of our volunteers Judie Hare. Judie has trained in the past as a dietician and a counsellor and has had experience of helping people with eating disorders. You can book individual appointments with Judie by contacting her via email judithghare@aol.com or calling her on 01202 578840. If you have any queries then please contact me or Judie.

Monthly Carers' Group	Click here for a map
Carers' Group We meet from 7-8.30pm on the last Wednesday in the month. At St Ann's Hospital, Kimmeridge Court, 69 Haven Road, Canford Cliffs, Poole, Dorset.

Mobile Number & Text Support - 07845 622481
email: bmtheatingdisordersupport@hotmail.com

In addition, students in Bournemouth can also use the closed message board for Bournemouth uni. by registering on www.swedauk.org/board with a user name and asking the webmaster ( webmaster@swedauk.org) to include you on the Bournemoth closed board.

We have been all too aware recently about the increasing danger of eating disorders. The very sad news hit the headlines about Professor Pope and I felt that on behalf of our organisation we wanted to let people know that we are doing something to tackle the growing problem. I think it is evident that no one is immune to this illness. John Prescott and Professor Pope show that it affects people of all ages and stages of life. Eating Disorders are not about being thin; they serve a purpose because they distract the person away from the main problem and give them a way of coping. At SWEDA we are now starting to offer training to people in their workplaces to help them recognise the symptoms and signs of an eating disorder and how to address the problem sensitively. Anorexia and Bulimia can develop on average between the ages of 15-25 but can start as early as 7 or 8 (EDA 1995). We are aiming to work in many schools in the Bournemouth and Poole area teaching about the value of self esteem and the impact of the media on body image. We address issues within these sessions which we then follow up with visits to the school offering open times for students to chat to us. Our staff at SWEDA includes individuals who have recovered from eating disorders. We want to offer real hope that it is possible to overcome this illness. Contact us regarding training or teaching on: Email: bmtheatingdisordersupport@hotmail.com Mobile: 07845 622481 Website: www.swedauk.org Jess Griffiths SWEDA Bournemouth