6 January 2011

Eating Disorders Network: Support for change

A support group for adults experiencing any kind of eating disorder will be relaunched in Dundee next week in response to requests from individual service users and care providers.

The Eating Disorders Network is a joint initiative between the University of Dundee, NHS Tayside and beat, the leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families.

The Network aims to promote self help and peer support for adults aged 18 and over who are experiencing any kind of eating disorder. It provides an opportunity to meet with people in similar situations, to share experiences or just to listen to others.

Louise Dunne, Network Development Officer for beat, said, 'We welcome the revival of this support group. The work carried out by this group previously was invaluable to individuals, and will now, once again, offer them understanding and the opportunity to share their experiences with others in a similar situation.

'With over 1.6million people in the UK affected by these illnesses who often feel misunderstood and isolated by their condition, this is an important step forward in providing much needed help and support to beat their eating disorder.'

The first meeting is on Tuesday January 11th. Further meetings will take place on the first Tuesday of every month. Meetings are held in the University of Dundee Chaplaincy, Cross Row, Main Campus. All meetings last for one hour and start at 5.30 p.m.

Fiona Grant, of the University Health Service, said this was a great opportunity to demonstrate the value of joint working for people with eating disorders. 'Being with others who share a common problem can engender an atmosphere of strength and hope that recovery is a realistic option,' said Fiona.

Further enquires about the group should be made to Fiona by email at f.y.grant@dundee.ac.uk or by telephone on 01382 384168. Please note that the telephone is not fully manned but you can leave a message on the confidential voicemail and Fiona will respond as soon as she can.

For more information on beat see: www.b-eat.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
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