Welcome to NIWE
NIWE aims to help people in the North East* whose lives are affected by eating distress, or eating disorders. We do this by providing a range of services including group support, individual counselling, mindfulness courses, a support group for carers, health topic workshops, information and training. We also work in schools and other settings to increase knowledge and awareness of eating distress and its effects.
NIWE Philosophy
NIWE believes that eating distress is a way of saying that something is wrong. Therefore we do not just respond to the symptoms of eating distress but look at underlying causes. We develop services that enable people to increase their understanding of their use of food to cope with difficult emotions. We encourage people to explore opportunities for change and to find their own path to recovery rather than imposing a solution.
Our practice is person centred and also recovery orientated. Our services are provided in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
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 food and eating. We are aware from the feedback we have received from people we have worked with that, whilst many have a diagnosed eating disorder, some of those who need our support and understanding do not feel they ‘fit’ an eating disorder category.
We offer one-to-one counselling to men and women over 16 with mild to moderate eating distress, who have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 17.5 and above. Daytime sessions are free, take place at the same time each week over 6-8 consecutive weeks and last 50 minutes. Sessions may be extended in exceptional circumstances.
To register this service, please download and complete a registration form and submit via email to enquiries@niwe.org.uk.
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.
