How we can help

Talking to someone for the first time if you think you – or someone you know – has an eating disorder can be daunting.

But it’s important so that you don’t have to face the struggle alone. Recovery can feel challenging but opening up to others allows opportunity for support, helping you feel understood and encouraging you to seek help when needed.

If you're anxious about opening up about your eating disorder, we have tips to help you have that first conversation on our website.

Think you, or someone you care about, might have an eating disorder?

You can:

• Read our ‘Do I have an eating disorder’ page
• Our Helpline can also guide you to the right support, including resources on our website which can help you with how to approach a GP appointment.
• Our online peer support groups are safe, inclusive and supportive spaces for anyone who has or think they have an eating disorder to find support and community. Find out more about the different groups, themes and times on our website.
• Treatment is not always easy to access. But help is out there – you can find support in your area on HelpFinder.

Supporting someone with an eating disorder?

We have created resources and training to help those supporting someone with an eating disorder to develop the skills they need to look after their loved one and themselves. These include:

• POD - our free e-learning platform for friends and family - providing those with caring responsibilities with online modules, resources and space to talk with peers to help them better support their loved one. During Eating Disorders Awareness Week there will a curated group of modules for people to learn more about eating disorders.
• SPOT is our free e-learning platform for school professionals providing online modules and resources to help you support those in schools who might be struggling.
• Our HelpFinder directory can tell you which of our support and training programmes are available in your area or connect you with your local NHS eating disorder service or a private provider for support.

Are you interested in working with us?

We provide a range of commissionable services for those supporting a friend or family member with an eating disorder - (including services for ARFID) and for those with an eating disorder themselves as well as different training packages suitable for healthcare, education and university professionals. Our training and events team can also provide bespoke training offers to suit your audience as well as run whole day training events.

Please contact publicsectorcommissioning@beateatingdisorders.org.uk for more information.

Employers in other sectors can register their interest in purchasing our training package to help raise awareness of eating disorders in the workplace.