Annual Report our vision is that people “affected by eating disorders will have their needs met through the provision of appropriate integrated, quality service being delivered by a range of statutory, private and voluntary agencies ” Contents Page No. Chairman's & CEO's Report .......................................................................................................................... 2 Overview of Services ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Helpline ................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Support Groups ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Online Groups .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Email Support .................................................................................................................................................. 10 PiLaR Programme .......................................................................................................................................... 12 Communications ............................................................................................................................................ 13 Youth Development ...................................................................................................................................... 15 Other Activities .............................................................................................................................................. 17 Partnership Projects ...................................................................................................................................... 20 Statement of Financial Activities ............................................................................................................ 21 Balance Sheet .................................................................................................................................................. 22 Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................... 23 Company Information .................................................................................................................................. 24 Annual Report 2015 1 Chairman’s & CEO’s Report Welcome to our Annual Report 2015 I would like to acknowledge the valued ongoing support of the Health Service Executive and the funding that was provided in 2015. Bodywhys As Chairman of the Board of services are funded through a Directors, I am pleased to welcome national Service Level Agreement you to Think Bodywhys Ltd. Annual (SLA) with the HSE which supports report for 2015. It has been a busy our helpline, online services, support year for Bodywhys as we continue to groups, communications, youth support people in Ireland who are development and much more. affected by eating disorders. In 2015, Bodywhys continued to Bodywhys was established in 1995 expand its reach to those affected by and since its foundation has made a eating disorders. Email support Breda Naddy significant contribution to supporting services have seen a large increase in Chairman people affected by eating disorders, activity, but so too have the support including friends and family. From groups, the helpline and the online those early beginnings, Bodywhys is groups, resulting in an overall now firmly established as a well- increase of 10% using Bodywhys respected national support services. organisation. Our work and reputation was duly recognised on 2nd July when Project specific funding was received a delegation from Bodywhys was from the National Office for Suicide received by An tUachtarán, Michael D. Prevention (NOSP) to deliver the Higgins. This event acknowledged 20 PiLaR (Peer Led Resilience) years of work by Bodywhys in the programme to parents and carers. In area of eating disorders. President 2015, Bodywhys delivered support to Higgins was generous in his praise families in Carlow/Kilkenny and and the event was a fitting tribute to Cavan. The positive feedback from the work of the organisation and the participants indicate that the content commitment of all involved – our of the course, as well as peer support founder members; supporters; experience, are valuable outcomes of volunteers; board and staff. this programme. 2 Chairman’s Introduction Chairman’s & CEO’s Report During the year, the Board of Jacinta Hastings Directors has continued its Chief Executive Officer commitment to ensuring good governance in every aspect of the Harriet Parsons organisation, as a priority strategic Services Manager development. The newly established Charity Regulatory Authority (CRA) Fiona Flynn has developed a new set of standards Youth Development Officer for all charities registered in Ireland. Bodywhys is committed to working Mary Crean with the regulator and maintaining full Administrator compliance and the highest standard of good governance in 2016. Helen McSherry Administrator (maternity leave cover The work of Bodywhys during 2015 from August) Jacinta Hastings, CEO was supported by a committed team working under the direction of the CEO. Barry Murphy Communications Officer Finally, my sincere and heartfelt thanks to my fellow Directors of Bodywhys, our highly-committed and diligent team of staff and volunteers; our funders within the HSE and the many people who undertake fundraising on our behalf. Your interest in and support of our work is much appreciated. Breda Naddy , Chairman Welcome Annual Report 2015 3 Overview of Services - Bodywhys recognises that everyone’s Figure 1: Breakdown of how people experience and eating disorder is contacted Bodywhys unique, and we provide a safe space for people to begin to put words on what is Admin Email: 8% happening to them. Admin Line 1% Helpline 30% I would like to take this opportunity Support Email 31% to thank all of the volunteers across Bodywhys services who have so Support Groups 11% generously given their time and energy Online Groups 19% to supporting those affected by eating disorders in Ireland. Volunteers remain 30% the backbone of our organisation. 1% 8% Harriet Parsons In 2015, there was a 10% increase in people using Bodywhys support 31% 19% services. The email support service, showed the most significant increase 11% It is never easy to ask for help, or to try in usage, with a 48% rise in 2015. to be heard. An eating disorder thrives In addition, attendance at face-to-face on fear, fear of the unknown, and fear support groups increased by 19%. of change. Letting an eating disorder In 2013 and 2014, where the age of go, and embarking on the difficult path the person with an eating disorder to recovery, requires patience, contacting our helpline was known, Based on Figure 1 , the traditional security, and a place to speak and be the majority of people were aged helpline remained a preferred way of heard. Often, ongoing support is 25-35 years. In 2015, there has been contacting Bodywhys, however, with needed whilst going through recovery. a 9% increase in people aged 36-55 a more general trend towards people Bodywhys strives to offer support and an 8% increase in people aged using technology for help seeking, the services and a space for this to happen. over 56 years old. This means that email support service accounted for the majority of calls taken in 2015 the majority of contacts. Looking at All Bodywhys support services are concerned someone aged over 36 the divide between technology based on the support ethos under- years old. This trend also emerged on facilitated contacts, and ‘in person’ pinning all of our support services - our email support service, with a 20% contacts, 58% of people contacted we do not focus on food or weight, or increase in contacts from people aged Bodywhys using an online service. the specific behaviours that a person over 36 years old. This is yet more is experiencing. We listen and try to evidence to challenge the myth that an understand how a person is feeling. eating disorder is a ‘teenage issue’. 4 Overview of Services Helpline – 1890 200 444 Helpline – 1890 200 444 The helpline is much more than an As noted in Figure 4 , eating disorders The Bodywhys helpline is a 'listening information service. It is also a are not just a female issue, and ear' service and all volunteers are listening ear service and a safe space continuing the general trend from trained to deliver a safe, non- where a person can speak about their previous years, the breakdown in judgemental, non-directive, listening, experiences without a fear of gender of people with an eating support and information service to judgement or pressure to act. These disorder reflected the male to people affected by eating disorders. types of calls were categorised as female ratio of 1:10. During 2015, the helpline operated for ‘listening ear’ contacts. From Figure 3 , 2 hours per day, 6 days per week. 69% the majority of calls in 2015 fell into Figure 4: Gender of person with an of callers made contact for the first this category. 54% of callers just eating disorder time and 31% were repeat callers. wanted to talk something through and explore their options. 17% of callers