Current recovery support groups available:

• Abbotsford Recovery Support – first Monday of the month, 7pm – 8pm  (currently paused due to COVID-19)

Who are groups suitable for?

Recovery support groups are for people with an eating disorder who have already taken the first steps towards recovery. Recovery can take many forms; however, people who are engaged in treatment or contemplating recovery may find sharing experiences in support groups with other people on a similar journey of great benefit.

Eligibility requirements

All support group participants must be 18 years of age and over.

The group is not suitable for current hospital in-patients, people whose physical health is severely compromised due to their eating disorder or persons equally medically or emotionally unwell. In addition, participants should not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For their own safety and for the well being of all participants, these people will not be admitted to meetings.

Participants are expected to be emotionally and mentally well enough to travel to and from meetings without support, sit through a 1.5 hour group meeting, and cognitively understand and emotionally cope with group discussion about eating disorders. Active participation is recommended but is optional.

If you are unsure whether you are ready for group interaction, we recommend you contact us on 1300 550 236 to discuss your situation or to find out about alternative sources of support.

Is the group for people with all types of eating disorders?

Yes, people experiencing any type of eating disorder may attend. In fact, we find that the thoughts, behaviours and feelings expressed by people in support groups are often not diagnoses specific and can cross between different types of eating disorders.

What do people talk about in the group?

People discuss general themes and experiences regarding recovery. This may include talking about their personal experiences, ideas and strategies for coping with the impact of an eating disorder, and related difficulties in their lives. The underlying purpose of the EDV groups is to support and promote recovery. The group processes are geared to promote attitudes and feelings of understanding, acceptance, honesty and positive regard.

Within this environment, trust, hope and courage are rediscovered by many members. This helps them to take charge of their journey to recovery and try a range of self-help strategies and professional treatments that previously may have seemed too difficult to face.

How often can I attend a group?

You may attend a support group as often as you like. Some people attend regularly and others may come along once or twice. It is important to remember that although you may like to attend the groups regularly, there may be times when you may not feel well enough to attend.

How much does it cost?

Recovery groups are $5 to attend. Free for EDV members. Bookings are required via Eventbrite to ensure our volunteer facilitators are aware of how many people to expect.

Current family and friends support groups available:

• rALLY group – third Tuesday of the month, 7pm – 830pm, run ONLINE until further notice
• Renew group – quarterly, 7pm – 830pm, Abbotsford COMING SOON
• Eating Disorders Families Australia strive Group – second Wednesday of the month, 8pm -10pm, Flemington
• Eating Disorders Familes Australia strive Group – fourth Wednesday of the month, 630pm – 830pm, Bendigo 

rALLY group

Who is the group suitable for?

Families and support people who are currently experiencing or want to provide family led care for their loved one. For example:

• Families doing Family Based Treatment (FBT)
• Families / support people who using an approach where they are closely involved in meal preparation, meal support and distress tolerance

The person with the eating disorder may be of any age but more likely to be child/adolescent or young adult.

What does the group involve?

The rALLY Group is designed to educate and support families and support people who are playing an active role in the recovery of someone with an eating disorder.

The sessions will skill up participants in understanding eating disorders, meal support, nutrition, distress tolerance, school/workplace strategies etc. It will also provide time and mechanisms for connection and peer support between participants.

Who will facilitate the groups?

rALLY groups will be facilitated by people who have lived experience of caring for someone with an eating disorder.

How much does it cost?

rALLY groups are $5 to attend. Free for EDV and Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) members.

Renew group

Who is the group suitable for?

Families and carers who have been impacted by a loved one with an eating disorder but are not playing an active role in recovery. This is likely to be family, friends, support people of adults with enduring eating disorders. 

What does the group involve?

The group will provide nourishing and supportive environment for participants. The focus of the group will be on self-care for the individual impacted by caring for a loved one with an eating disorder.

Who will facilitate the groups?

Renew groups will be facilitated by people who have lived experience of caring for someone with an eating disorder.

How much does it cost?

Renew groups are $5 to attend. Free for EDV and Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) members.

strive Groups

strive Groups are run by our friends at Eating Disorders Families Australia. 

strive carer support groups:

• Provide a safe, supportive place for carers to meet each month in a semi-structured environment which allows for both knowledge sharing and peer support
• Provide information and resources to assist parents and carers to understand eating disorders and their integral role in recovery
• Encourage empowerment of carers in their role in the recovery of the person with the eating disorder.
• Are run by trained volunteer carers, for carers.

Attendees will be asked to join EDFA for a $25 annual family membership.

Who runs the groups?

Trained volunteers facilitate all EDV support groups. Many of our volunteers have personal lived experience with an eating disorder or have been a carer.

How much does it cost?

EDV groups cost $5 and we require attendees to book prior to attending each group. Please see the event list page to book into support groups

Do I need to book? Why?

Yes, we require you to book in if you are planning on attending by 12pm on the day of the support group. You can book by finding the event under the Events tab, and find the corresponding event.

We honour your time and the time of our volunteers. If we need to cancel a group for any reason we want to give you as much notice as possible to minimise inconvenience.

Support groups do not run if only one person is booked in, and that instance we would contact you by 12pm on the day of the group to advise that it is not going ahead and offer one-to-one support to you via the EDV Hub.

I’m under 18 – can I attend?

Unfortunately, the groups are currently only for people 18+.

How do you keep the groups safe?

EDV uses a set of guidelines to ensure support groups are recovery-focused and non-triggering for group members. The guidelines are discussed at the beginning of each group.

How do I give feedback on groups?

If you have recently attended a support group and would like to fill in a survey to provide feedback click here.