Caring for someone with an Eating Disorder can be an enormous burden, bringing with it feelings of anger, fear, anxiety and isolation.

Self esteem and self confidence can be affected as you watch a loved one suffer from an illness that you often feel powerless to do anything about, and you may feel unable to deal with the resulting family stresses.

Feelings of powerlessness can often stem from not knowing where to get help, or from being unable to exchange ideas with somebody else who is going through a similar crisis.

Carers need to look after their own well being as they play a very important part in, and can have a very positive effect on, the recovery of those they look after.

The purpose of the London Carers Group is to provide a mutually supportive and confidential environment for sharing experiences and ideas.

By coming to The London Carers Group, we hope that you'll gain inspiration from:

• sharing with others and learning from their experiences
• exploring new ways of dealing with the problems
• benefiting from the information and literature you receive

Through its links with beat and service providers the group co-ordinators can also feed back carer's experiences of service provision and how they feel it could be improved

All carers of people with an Eating Disorder or those living with someone who they think might have an Eating Disorder are welcome.

The group meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 7.00pm-9.00pm. Meetings for 2008 are as follows:

• 17th January
• 21st February
• 20th March
• 17th April
• 15th May
• 19th June
• 17th July
• 21st August
• 18th September
• 16th October
• 20th November
• 18th December

We meet at The Dragon Hall, 17 Stukeley Street, London WC2B 5LT. The nearest tube stations are Tottenham Court Road, Holborn and Covent Garden. There is a small charge of £5, which helps to pay for the venue.

Some people coming to a Carers Group may think of it as a daunting experience. The London Carers' Group has been running since June 2003 and understands that a listening ear and somewhere where people can talk in confidence and will not be judged play a vital part in supporting those who care for someone with an Eating Disorder.

Veronica Kamerling, who is the Group Facilitator and has had two daughters who have suffered with an Eating Disorder, knows only too well the importance of carers' groups. When her 2 daughters, who are now in recovery, were ill she relied on a support group that she attended and puts some of her daughters' recovery down to the help that she received from the Group.

Feelings of despair, isolation, guilt and loneliness are just some of the emotions that may occur when caring for someone with an eating disorder. The London Carers' Group offers a warm and friendly welcome and, hopefully, the support that will benefit you and those that you are caring for.

If you would like to bring any relatives or friends to the group, they would be very welcome.

The Group has a variety of presentations throughout the year and the subjects are agreed on by the Group.

For further information, contact: