Eating disorders can be isolating, making people feel alone whether someone has an eating disorder themselves or whether they are supporting someone. During Eating Disorders Awareness Week, ELFT is joining Beat in celebrating the power of community in helping people feel supported, understood, and never alone on their journey from seeking help, undergoing treatment and beyond.
Resources for residents
In the East London Community Eating Disorder Service, the People Participation group has been working on various resources over the past year to help service users feel seen, heard and supported. During EDAW, we wanted to share a few excerpts that may also be helpful for people who are not currently accessing support. You can also find out more about opportunities to join our People Participation work here.
- What are eating disorders?
- This is an excerpt from a longer Waiting List Booklet provided to service users, which we have created with experts-by-experience to help people feel seen and supported while they wait for treatment to begin. This excerpt looks at the many different ways eating disorders can affect people, including signs, symptoms and personal stories.
- Community and recovery
- The People Participation group has created an ‘Ending Therapy’ resource to support people to continue their recovery beyond eating disorder treatment. This short extract focuses on the ways in which community and connection have helped people in East London to build a life beyond disordered eating.
- Ramadan and eating disorders
- We have also introduced a monthly newsletter in our service to share helpful resources and remind people they are not alone. This month we’re focusing on looking after health and wellbeing during Ramadan.
Get help – self-referral
The East London Eating Disorder Service (Adults) supports adults aged 18+ who are experiencing an intense and distressing preoccupation with food, weight or shape that is significantly impacting their life. If you live in Newham, Tower Hamlets, or City & Hackney, you can reach out for help via our self-referral form.
For the CAMHS Eating Disorder Service, please see here.
For the Bedfordshire & Luton Eating Disorder Service, please see here.
For professionals - quick questions to check for disordered eating
Talking about weight with patients? Encouraging someone with an eating disorder to lose weight can make their symptoms significantly worse – but most of the signs aren’t visible. These quick questions can help you check for signs of disordered eating and identify anyone in need of specialist support first.
For more information or any questions please contact elft.disorderedeatingsupport@nhs.net