Support Groups

*January meeting being held on the 8th due to a bank holiday on the first Tuesday of the month.

There are two support groups - one for people with eating disorders and one for carers. A carer might be a parent, sibling, partner, friend or work colleague. You don’t need to be living with the person you are concerned for to come along.

SYEDA Support groups at other venues

Biteback is a support group for University students affected by eating disorders. We offer free support, information and a safe and confidential space to share your experiences. The group meets in Meeting Room 2, The Octagon, University of Sheffield on the last Monday of every month in term times 5-6.30pm. No appointment needed - just frop in at 5pm with your U-Card. For more details, visit:

http://www.shef.ac.uk/union/advice/support-services/eating-disorders/biteback/

In both groups, you can share your experiences, or just listen. You are under no obligation to say anything, unless you want to, but the atmosphere is warm and supportive and it is easy to join in.

Both groups are led by trained facilitators so everyone has a chance to speak if they wish to. The group for people with eating disorders is for anyone over 16 years of age.

Is a support group for me?

When someone first attends a support group, he or she will often feel a tremendous relief. There is a sense of being understood, and group members talk of coming away afterwards feeling more hopeful and confident.

If you have an eating disorder and are not yet in treatment, a support group can help you take the first step. If you’re already in treatment, it can give you additional encouragement and a safe environment to share your experiences. If you’ve been in recovery for some time, but feel you need support occasionally, you can use the group that way. You don’t need to come every time.

Both for people with an eating disorder and for carers, a support group provides companionship, information and positive thinking. It can be an important source of emotional and social support, and a chance to share and learn new, practical ways of dealing with the difficult situation you are in.

Being a member of a support group is about giving as well as receiving and group members often say how good it feels to know you have also helped someone else.