What can I expect from a group session?

Nervous?

You're not the only one! New faces appear at our group sessions on a regular basis and everyone remembers how nervous they were at their first meeting. 

Want moral support?

You are more than welcome to bring a friend along. We'll ask them to sit and listen, rather than join in the conversation. 

What will we talk about?

We have suggested topics of the month for discussion in group sessions. These are only suggestions. You are always welcome to bring any topic of your own to group sessions and should always feel free to talk about the things that are really important to you right now.

How do we know where to start? 

The group facilitators will open the group session. They will ask everyone to introduce themselves just by giving their name. They will explain how their group works and talk you through the ground rules that your group follows. 

They will then ask everyone attending the group to introduce themselves in a little more detail. You don't have to do this, you are very welcome to just give your name again, but if you are comfortable with talking, this is a great time to tell everyone present a little bit about yourself. 

People sometimes explain where they are at now with their eating disorder or with treatment or recovery. Sometimes people choose to explain a little bit about who supports them and who they have spoken to about their eating disorder. At other times, people like just to tell us a bit about themselves, what they study, which year they are in, how they are finding university. 

Talk and silence

You can talk as much or as little as you like - no one is going to ask you to stand up and recite your life story, though are welcome to if you like. No one will mind if you just come along and listen to what other people are saying. 

Confidentiality

Except in very specific circumstances, the group facilitators will keep all conversations confidential. 

What are ground rules?

All groups follow a series of ground rules. These are there to keep the groups safe and productive for everyone. 

Staying focused on recovery

Our groups follow a pro-recovery focus. We accept that not everyone will feel ready for recovery, but groups will always try and keep the goal of recovery in mind. We don't allow people to talk about weights or calorific figures during the groups, and we ask that people be aware that others may find some of the topics they wish to discuss triggering. 

Not a replacement for treatment

These groups are run to provide support and encouragement to help keep you motivated through recovery. They are not designed to be a form of treatment and should not be used to replace other treatment. We encourage you to seek support from your GP if you have not done so already. 

Psychological

We always try to encourage a focus on thoughts and feelings rather than behaviours. 

Who runs the group? 

Groups are run on university campuses by student volunteers called “group facilitators.” Group facilitators have received training for their role in running group sessions. While group facilitators have all received the same training, they have the freedom to run their group as they feel works best for the requirements of their university.  You are very welcome to email the group facilitators before attending a session to ask them a bit more about the group on your campus. 

Each group is run by at least two group facilitators. Group facilitators are not trained counsellors and will not provide advice. 

Can I attend?

Groups are open for anyone with an eating disorder to attend. 

Unfortunately, individuals under the age of 18 are not able to attend these sessions. 

How long will the session be? 

Groups run for around an hour and a half . You are very welcome to turn up before the group sessions and meet the group facilitators before the session starts. Group sessions will always try to start promptly, so we appreciate it if you turn up by the advertised start time. 

Please note that group facilitators are not allowed to meet individuals outside of groups and cannot provide support outside of group sessions.

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