The Eating Disorder Service Plymouth (EDS), based at Mount Gould, is now offering a tranquil space for colleagues and clients to enjoy thanks to funding from the Livewell Foundation.
EDS was established as a charity in 1995 and is funded by Devon Clinical Commissioning Group to support adults with a recognisable eating disorder. The service consists of two elements – an extensive therapeutic offering to clients requiring help with their eating disorder within the community, and for those needing more intensive support, a day service with group therapy and meal planning support.
Claire Russell, Practice Manager for EDS, said:
“The previous garden was overgrown, unloved and an unusable space. We wanted a space for clients to be able to sit outside for group therapy, as well as a space to eat together alfresco and a space we could use for group activities such as photographing wildlife and garden arts
“We applied to the Livewell Foundation for funding and, after much hard work from the team, in 2020 we were successful in our bid for £22,500.
“The impact of COVID-19 meant delays to the project but work finally started with the landscaping in July 2021. This spring we were finally able to add plaints and vegetables and bring some tranquillity ready for our official opening by the Lord Mayor on 15th June.
“The space has been transformed from a dark, overgrown waste ground to a place of calm, relaxation and tranquillity that can be enjoyed by all. We’ve begun to enjoy some group therapy outside – during difficult times it is helpful to be outside with the sounds and sights of the birds – while staff have been able to remove their masks and enjoy lunches together outside with the wildlife.
“We hope to continue to grow and develop the space we have been given, to rotate the plants and vegetables and we look forward to when the fruit and vegetables begin to flourish so we can both enjoy them in our self-catering sessions and begin to become more sustainable.
“We’d like to give a huge thank you to the Livewell Foundation, the Estates Team at Mount Gould Hospital, and all the staff and volunteers at EDS, without whom this project would not have been possible.”
Keith Houghton, Interim Head of Estates & Facilities Services, said:
“We were privileged to have been invited to the opening of the wonderful garden at the Eating Disorder Service.
“We’re very proud to be associated with this charitable team and to help them in the delivery of their service in whatever way we can. I feel sure that this garden will only enhance the great service already delivered by the EDS team.”
Geoff Baines, Deputy Chief Executive at Livewell Southwest and Trustee of the Livewell Foundation, said:
“Livewell Southwest and the EDS charity have worked closely together since they moved to Mount Gould in 2016.
“Both organisations support local people and their families – the EDS do fantastic work supporting people and preventing them from needing to go into a hospital for specialist support that often would have been many miles away from home.
“The trustees of the Livewell Foundation, which have Livewell Southwests as its main donor, were delighted to support the funding application from the EDS for the adaptations to the garden to enable the service to provide an additional therapeutic and supportive environment for the important work they do.
“It was a pleasure to be invited to the official opening by the Lord Mayor and to support the EDS in showcasing their service, and we wish them continued success.”
