Welcome to NIWE
We are still here for you through these difficult times, taking referrals and holding counselling sessions via video or telephone, Health and Wellbeing sessions, Friends and Family Group and Mindfulness courses are happening via Zoom. If you need help getting to grips with Zoom, hopefully the following link can provide you with this https://nerdschalk.com/how-to-join-a-zoom-meeting-for-the-first-time/
General updates are sent via our mailing lists – which you can sign up to below if you’re not already. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
You can find resources and information on our dedicated page, which will be updated whenever we find new sources– e.g. specialist online chat support from BEAT, including Sanctuary which is specifically COVID related, free guided mindfulness programmes from Calm and Headspace, and live meditation sessions from local provider Mindful Therapies and mindfulness courses from Metanoia-Mindfulness-Based-Living.
Please see our Services page for more information on our latest online groups
Click here for a list of Useful Support and Information - including services that can be accessed online (updated 5/1)
See below for how to refer.
Eating Distress versus Eating Disorder
NIWE uses the term eating distress rather than eating disorder because we want to support all those who experience extreme anxiety around or have a difficult relationship with food and eating.
First Steps
Our short films #FirstSteps are designed to help you recognise and understand some of the signs and symptoms of eating disorders and ask for help as early as possible – take that ‘First Step’.
Our services for individuals - for overview, click here
To register for the services below, please download and complete registration form and submit via email to enquiries@niwe.org.uk. Please note, our services may not be suitable for the needs of every individual – a list of our criteria is available to download here.
Once registered with NIWE, we will contact you to arrange an Initial Assessment appointment as soon as one becomes available.
Initial Assessment
An initial assessment is a one to one meeting with one of our professionally trained counsellors, which can last for up to an hour. It is an opportunity for you to talk about how things are affecting you and to consider options for help and support. This session can offer:
- Information about services from NIWE and other agencies.
- Information about eating problems.
- Resources that may be helpful.
- A chance for you to consider food in your life.
- An opportunity to think about your next step.
- The chance to find out more about our group work or counselling.
Please note: You must have attended an initial assessment session with us to access our counselling service, HOPE group, Health and Wellbeing workshops or Mindfulness course.
Counselling
We offer one-to-one counselling to people over 16 with mild to moderate eating distress, who have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 17.5 and above. We offer six to eight 50-minute sessions, which usually take place at the same time each week, over 6-8 consecutive weeks. These sessions may be extended in exceptional circumstances.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NIWE is offering alternatives to face to face therapy.
To find out a little bit more about what counselling is, whether online or face to face, click here.
Health and Wellbeing Online Workshops (people aged 16+)
We are running a series of twice-a-month online workshops on Thursday evenings from 6.00-7.30pm for those aged 16+ with eating distress. Topics will include self worth and body image. For more information please see our latest timetable. To join any of these interactive workshops, please contact enquiries@niwe.org.uk (if you are not a pre-existing service user, please could you also submit a completed registration form with your email).
We hope to resume our face-to-face HOPE and H+W workshops in the future:
* Please note that the HOPE group and the Health and Wellbeing workshops are for those with eating distress, not for professionals supporting people with eating distress or other mental health issues.
If you are unable to make daytime appointments -
Alongside our free day time counselling we can now offer evening appointments at a cost of £45 per 50 minute session.
Evening appointments are available from 5pm, take place at the same time each week and can be up to 20 weeks.
Please see our latest Service Evaluation report.
See the results of our Body Image survey in May 2018.
* Our services are currently available to people in Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland.
You can follow NIWE Eating Distress on social media for more resources, news and updates
