When and Where do our groups run? 

A word from our project directors...

We developed this project for you. We have been there. We have sat for hours staring at the god-awful plate of food. We have screamed and shouted. We have lived lives governed by scales, exercise and purging. We’ve done our time. We have also recovered. We have come out the other side of that grim forsaken life.

When ill we really wanted someone to talk to; someone who knew what we were going through, someone who just understood. We occasionally got those rare moments when you did not have to find words to explain, when the friend we were with just took what we were saying in their stride, when they just got the situation. Powerful as they were, these moments were few and far between.

So we thought, why not create a space where people can meet others facing the same situation? Why not build a group where people can talk freely and safely? Why not help people find others who will understand and support them? That is what SRSH is.

We have trained our student volunteers to run informal groups, and they are very informal and relaxed. We have taken all of our own experiences and designed something we felt would have helped us when we were ill. We then spent time making sure our volunteers understand the plan. Our training makes sure they “Get” what the world once looked like from our anorexic/bulimic eyes.

We know though that talking to anyone is scary – absolutely terrifying. We know it sometimes feels like a waste of effort and energy. Knowing this, we urge you to be brave. If you know you have a problem. If you think you might just have the tiniest bit of a problem, if you wonder whether deep down you can maybe admit that things might not be 100% fine, take yourself along to a group session. We dare you. Double Dare You.

Just give it a go. There is never any obligation to join in. You can just sit and listen. Our volunteers don’t expect you to do all the talking, they are trained to guide conversations, to keep things safe and friendly, to make sure those awkward silences don’t drag on. We have picked and trained every one of them and they come to you with our seal of approval: damn fine people, if we may say so!

Have we got you thinking about it? We all know that intention is only so much use, you have to actually do it! What would help? Perhaps think of it as your one good deed to yourself for the week. Perhaps you would like to take a friend – they are always welcome in group sessions. Perhaps you want to meet the volunteers before hand? Drop them an email and they’ll be happy to meet you 15 – 20 minutes before the group starts. If you don’t like them or the idea of sticking around, you are always free to leave before things get started.

What else can we say? Not much, but be brave and give it a go. The chance to talk to others without them judging you or changing any aspect of your life, the change to feel understood, to feel supported, well we think it is simply invaluable.

And if you are still not feeling brave... sign up to our mailing list. We will let you know about things going on at your uni. We will also send out our blog which always contains thoughts and ideas drawn from our own recovery process. Stay in touch. Remember you are not alone. Recovery is possible. It is something you can do.

With love,

Nicola 

Picture

Hannah

Picture

Stay up to date with when and where groups are running... 

Sign up to the mailing list to be kept updated about when and where self help groups are running. 
'; var input_id = '#mc_embed_signup'; var f = $(input_id); if (ftypes[index]=='address'){ input_id = '#mce-'+fnames[index]+'-addr1'; f = $(input_id).parent().parent().get(0); } else if (ftypes[index]=='date'){ input_id = '#mce-'+fnames[index]+'-month'; f = $(input_id).parent().parent().get(0); } else { input_id = '#mce-'+fnames[index]; f = $().parent(input_id).get(0); } if (f){ $(f).append(html); $(input_id).focus(); } else { $('#mce-'+resp.result+'-response').show(); $('#mce-'+resp.result+'-response').html(msg); } } } catch(e){ $('#mce-'+resp.result+'-response').show(); $('#mce-'+resp.result+'-response').html(msg); } } }
SRSH is registered with Companies House,
Registered Charity:
Student Run self Help, supporting students with eating disorders and encouraging peer to peer support. We can all be involved in breaking down the stigma around mental health.