Building community during Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Eating Disorders Awareness Week is an opportunity to shine a light on the challenges faced by anyone affected by an eating disorder, and to celebrate the strength, resilience and hope that comes from being part of a supportive community.
Peer support workers within our Adult Eating Disorder Service have updated their range of resources developed to support people affected by an eating disorder, as well as their family and friends, external services and GPs. The resources include Q&As, recovery tools, and information for GPs on supporting patients who may present with an eating disorder.
Peer support workers
A peer support worker or lived-experience practitioner is someone who helps support others in their mental health journey. Many have personal experience with mental health challenges or accessing services, using their insights to inspire hope and promote recovery. They contribute to peer support programmes, training, and service development while working alongside clinical teams, crisis cafés, the Recovery College, and community partners to improve mental health care for patients and carers.
As part of this week’s focus on community, our peer support workers have also answered questions from people affected by eating disorders. Drawing on their own recovery journeys, they offer honesty, encouragement and hope:
“Anyone suffering with an eating disorder deserves treatment. Eating disorders affect lives, and you deserve support, always remember that.”
“I had to remind myself that there is something more important than the fear of the unknown, something greater and something worth fighting for. Even if I couldn’t see it in that moment.”
“Recovery requires you as an individual to think about what is best for yourself. Try not to compare your journey to anyone else. This is your time.”
“Recovery is hard but so is living with an eating disorder, and in the end only one of these will be worth it.”
Explore our resources for families, friends and GPs
Q&A for family and friends affected by an eating disorder
Q&A-for-staff-in-non-eating-disorder-services
For additional information, practical guidance and confidential support during Eating Disorders Awareness Week, visit Beat – the UK’s eating disorder charity.
