A Plymouth charity which has for more than 25 years provided vital help and support for people with eating disorders recently welcomed Plymouth’s Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Chris Penberthy for a special event.
Cllr Penberthy was on hand to officially open a new garden at the home of the Eating Disorder Service at Mount Gould.
The garden was previously overgrown, unloved and unusable. The hope was to create a restful space that would encourage reflection and provide a place for garden-based activities.
An application was made to the Livewell Foundation for funding and, after much hard work from the team, in 2020 a bid for £22,500 was awarded. After some stops and starts due to the pandemic, the garden was recently opened by the Deputy Lord Mayor.
The garden is now transformed and provides a relaxing and reflective environment for all at EDS. Group therapy sessions have been taking place outside, as well as some al-fresco dining. The sounds of nature and restful atmosphere are soothing and peaceful, creating a welcome place of rest and recovery for staff and clients of EDS.
The new garden space represents a development in the day service program, allowing for groups to be taken outdoors in the calming and reflective space along with gardening-based skills groups for recovery.
The Eating Disorder Service was founded to fill a gap in NHS provision for therapeutic community-based interventions for eating disorders. EDS is funded by Devon NHS Clinical Commissioning alongside some charitable donations and offers individuals aged over 18, short to medium-termed psychotherapy, as well as specialist dietetic guidance and support. The aim is to provide therapeutic support to individuals within the community that is encompassing and targeted to each individual’s need.
The day service at EDS was launched in 2016 to offer intensive support for more at-risk individuals. The programme includes skills and education alongside practical support around mealtimes, cookery and dietetics.
A spokesperson for Livewell South West said:
“We were privileged to have been invited to the opening of the wonderful garden at the Eating Disorder Service. We’re very proud to be associated with this charitable team and to help them in the delivery of their service in whatever way we can. I feel sure that this garden will only enhance the great service already delivered by the EDS team.”
“Livewell Southwest and the EDS charity have worked closely together since they moved to Mount Gould in 2016. Both organisations support local people and their families – the EDS do fantastic work supporting people and preventing them from needing to go into a hospital for specialist support that often would have been many miles away from home.”
Anyone struggling with their eating, can self-refer to EDS. For more information, pvisit the website at www.eatingdisorderserviceplymouth.co.uk or call 01752 228027.
