GEDS is dedicated to presenting an accurate representation of our team and volunteers at all times.
Each team member has had various experiences with eating disorders through first person personal experiences, supporting friends and family members or clinical work. Each volunteer has a different professional background although all have previously worked for different charities in the area of eating disorders and have a range of professional, clinical and voluntary experience.
Our volunteers take two main roles. For confidentiality reasons and to protect the privacy of our volunteers we do not state this for each individual on the website but will be stated at group.
Support Stems - These are volunteers who have professional or secondary (through care giving and supportive experiences of family and friends) experiences of eating disorders. The facilitate groups and offer input from their experiences of supporting people in their past.
Recovery Roots - These are volunteers who have first hand, personal experiences of an eating disorder. The offer their own insights of recovery and share experiences of what helped them in their journey.
The GEDS Team currently consists of:
Each team member has had various experiences with eating disorders through first person personal experiences, supporting friends and family members or clinical work. Each volunteer has a different professional background although all have previously worked for different charities in the area of eating disorders and have a range of professional, clinical and voluntary experience.
Our volunteers take two main roles. For confidentiality reasons and to protect the privacy of our volunteers we do not state this for each individual on the website but will be stated at group.
Support Stems - These are volunteers who have professional or secondary (through care giving and supportive experiences of family and friends) experiences of eating disorders. The facilitate groups and offer input from their experiences of supporting people in their past.
Recovery Roots - These are volunteers who have first hand, personal experiences of an eating disorder. The offer their own insights of recovery and share experiences of what helped them in their journey.
The GEDS Team currently consists of:
The Core Team:
The GEDS Core Team take different roles within the organisation such as coordination, finance and leading support groups alongside members of the Support Group Team.
The GEDS Core Team take different roles within the organisation such as coordination, finance and leading support groups alongside members of the Support Group Team.
Dr. Tríona McInerney
Coordinator Tríona is a Counselling Psychologist working with the NHS. Tríona coordinates the running of GEDS and has previously facilitated groups for both GEDS and NEEDS (http://www.needs-scotland.org/) based in Aberdeen. Tríona’s doctoral research focused on ‘Helpful aspects of therapy for clients experiencing disordered eating’. Tríona has also been a committee member of SEDIG, the Scottish Eating Disorder Interest Group and GEDS have participated in several conferences for SEDIG. |
Luisa Mannering
Treasurer Group Facilitator Luisa studied languages at the University of Strathclyde and currently works as a Spanish Teacher. She has a COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills and has been giving support to those who suffer from an eating disorder for 3 years both as an assistant group facilitator and a recovery representative. She has recently completed SCOTACS CBT Toolkit accredited by SQA at SCQF level 8. She starts a Diploma in CBT, Counselling and Group work in September 2014. |
Linzi Boland - Honorary Assistant Psychologist and Social Media Coordinator
Linzi recently completed her Master of Arts at University of Glasgow, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University. Linzi hopes to pursue a career in clinical psychology in the future and is currently gaining experience in different clinical areas but has a special interest in in the field of eating disorders. |
Julia Caird
Julia is currently employed as an Assistant Psychologist at the University of Glasgow’s Counselling and Psychological services. She holds an MA (Hons) Degree in Psychology and English Literature from this university and a Counselling Skills certificate from the University of Strathclyde. Prior to her assistant role, Julia worked as a support worker for individuals with enduring mental ill health, a play co-ordinator for children with special needs and a telephone counsellor to carers. Julia has been inspired by the strength and resilience of the individuals with whom she has worked and has a particular interest in the causes of disordered eating. She holds a strong belief in the power of peer support, empathy and acceptance as crucial tools for recovery. |
Katie Scott
Katie has a degree in Psychology and currently works at the University of Glasgow with people with learning disabilities and depression. Prior to this she has worked as an Assistant Psychologist with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, as a support worker for people with learning disabilities and as a volunteer counsellor with Childine. Katie hopes to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology and is keen to gain experience in a variety of clinical areas. However, due to her experience of having family members with an eating disorder, she has an interest in working within this area and enjoys seeing the positive impact that peer support can have on people. |
Jennifer Waton
Jennifer is a mental health pharmacist with a prior degree in psychology. Through both personal and professional experience, she feels passionately about supporting people to overcome eating disorders. She has been involved in awareness raising campaigns in the past and now volunteers as a Recovery Root to support others in their recovery journey. Other volunteers:
Victoria Loughlan April Logan |
Stephanie Mc Pherson - Fundraising Manager and Assistant Group Facilitator
Stephanie is a psychology graduate and is looking to pursue further training in psychological therapies. She is currently working as a mentor with students with mental health struggles and as a volunteer art group facilitator for children and young people affected by traumatic loss. She volunteered with a similar group in the past as an eating disorder awareness representative and fundraising supervisor.
Stephanie is a psychology graduate and is looking to pursue further training in psychological therapies. She is currently working as a mentor with students with mental health struggles and as a volunteer art group facilitator for children and young people affected by traumatic loss. She volunteered with a similar group in the past as an eating disorder awareness representative and fundraising supervisor.