Sefydliad Graham Menzies Graham Menzies Foundation
Progress Report 2
Mission Statement
To provide best practice, treatment and support services for people who suffer from an eating disorder or associated illness.
To facilitate change, empowerment and social integration.
To treat every individual with respect and dignity; and to promote equality, diversity, hope and freedom. In doing so, to operate to the highest ethical, legal and professional standards.
Organisation aims
ü Reduce the stigma and isolation experienced by our highly vulnerable client group
ü Improve local and national policy regarding the treatment of eating disorders and associated illnesses within Wales.
ü Provide highly individualised, affordable, top quality care for people who live in Wales (or in areas of the country where local services are patchy and under developed) and who suffer from an eating disorder or associated illness.
ü Provide effective, integrated help and support for young people who suffer from an eating disorder in combination with other maladaptive coping mechanisms (e.g. self injury) or mental health illness.
ü Facilitate sustained, community based help and support for the family and friends of the above sufferers
October 2007
This is our second progress report. Please feel free to contact Rowenna Menzies for further information or details.
Finance
Another busy month… We have applied for grants from the Welsh Language Board (for money towards bi-lingual stationary), the Allen Lane Foundation and to the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation to support our awareness raising campaign (including events at WAG during Eating Disorders Week next February). Bethan Jenkins (AM) is sponsoring us.
We have not heard back from any of the grant making bodies although the Welsh Language Board did post us an empty envelope!
We are also progressing with a range of partnerships within the field. This is positive because although, individually; our team possesses the skill, passion and knowledge to make our project work, we lack the sustenance of a successful financial history. Making partnerships will add weight to our enterprise and will ensure that we develop relevant, effective services.
With this in mind we placed a partnership bid with Cyswllt (an established street agency) which will enable us to offer treatment for dual diagnosis clients (primarily; substance misuse + eating disorders). Working with Marty from Cyswllt was an absolute pleasure… although I still have to give a presentation to the trustees there (eeek!)
The mail strike was horrible – really stressful. It seems that banks are unable to scan/e-mail/fax information. In fact – Abbey would not even allow us to DRIVE to London and collect information. It is their policy that everything must be POSTED. The delay in mail meant sending some grant applications ‘special delivery’ to arrive on closing day, not my preferable cause of action!
Events & Activities
Cyswllt coordinated an S4C television program about eating disorders; and one of our trustees (Rhodri) was interviewed on the sea front in Aberystwyth. We also organised for a young woman in recovery from an eating disorder to be interviewed by them. (I will let you know when it’s on!)
Two articles about us were published also in Golwg “Cynllun yn hwb i broblem anorecsia”, hydref 11 2007.
We met with Caroline Fosse who is currently being trained by bEAT to facilitate a community based self-help group for people with eating disorders. The group will hopefully go active in esrly next year– we will keep you up dated!
We now have a web address! The site is being planned but a holding page is up.
Visit wwwgrahammenziesfoundation.com for a quick peak!
Interesting happenings
Some events for those interested in eating disorders:
l 7th /8th November – “Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behaviour Therapy”, University of Reading
l 20th December – “All Wales Special Interest Group” Bronglais Hospital, Brecon (free)
l Friday 7th December – “Working together, Adolescent Eating Disorders” (free)
As always, thankyou for supporting us with this project. I hope November is a good month for you.
Warmest wishes
Rowenna Menzies
Sefydliad Graham Menzies Graham Menzies Foundation
Canolfan Adfer Lechyd Cymru Welsh Centre for Recovery
Contact
By mail: Preswylfa, Dolypandy, Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth SY23 3LY
By telephone: 01970 881052/07866547751
By e-mail: thegrahammenziesfoundation@hotmail.co.uk
Graham Menzies Foundation Weblog 