Wounded Wings Self-Help Support Groups
Wounded Wings provides a safe and confidential place for people who self-harm to discuss and explore everyday issues that self-harming raises for them. We provide a non-judgemental environment where everyone is equal. The groups are facilitated, but user led involvement is very much encouraged
We hold two groups every Monday - one in the afternoon and one in the evening. The groups run for a period of 12/13 weeks at a time and each group is closed to new members after 4 weeks. Each group is kept small with no more than 12 members in each group at any time.
The groups are held in a central location of Edinburgh which is easily accessible by bus, train or walking. Although they are on the second floor of the building and unfortunately we cannot offer disable access at this time.
The first couple of weeks of a new group are spent getting to know one another and also for the group to make up the ground rules that their particular group are going to abide by. During this time we also look at what we want to get out from the group and also what we want to look at over the course of the next 12/13 weeks.
We provide a "chill out" room for people to use if they are distresssed or just need some time to themselves during the group time. It is furnished with large, soft floor cushions and various other bits and pieces. It also houses the punch bag and "wall of angst" for you to redirect your thoughts and feelings.
The punch bag has proved to be very popular with members using it before, during and after the group session. Sometimes it is in such demand we have to put a time limit on each person!!!!
The "chill out" room also acts as our resource room with access to a small library with various sources of information and books covering self-harm and mental health in general
Each week we do something different, be it a discussion, writing, exercise, play-dough or punch bag session, relaxation or a first aid demonstration. It is possible sometimes to have someone come in to the group to do some aromatherapy or massage work etc. with us.
A program detailing what the group is doing each week will be made up at the beginning of the session, but this can be as flexible and varied as the group members deem necessary
The groups are very relaxed and laid back and during the break there is the chance for some tea/coffee, chocolate biscuits and informal chat.
It must be pointed out that is is the group members themselves that decide what they want to do and nobody will be forced into doing something that they do not want to do
Whilst we cannot stop members from self-harming, we do provide a small amount of free first aid supplies to enable group members to treat their injuries and to avoid infection. Members can help themselves to these in the strictest confidence
What is Wounded Wings?
Wounded Wings has been established with a view to providing help for people who self-harm, their family and friends. It aims to offer a safe and confidential environment for people to discuss and understand why they self-harm
Wounded Wings intends to help reduce the need to self-harm by exploring this issue and looking at other methods of survival
The other aims of Wounded Wings are set out below:-
* To run self-help groups in a safe and confidential environment
* To provide reassurance and support to people who self-harm, their family and friends
* To set up a pen-pal service to ease isolation
* To help access information/books not readily available
* To promote awareness and understanding of self-harm
* To provide training in A&E departments and other health care professionals
* To be nondiscriminatory of sex, race or religious beliefs
For more information please contact:-
Wounded Wings
32 Craighall Road
Edinburgh
EH6 4SA
Tel: 07730 872784
Fax: 08701 326958
mailto:Woundedwings@Talk21.com
Scottish Charity No: SC 031299