Interviewee: Donna
Role: Expert by Experience
Interviewer: Community Eating Disorders Service (CEDS) & Caraline
In what ways has the group supported your wellbeing or your recovery journey?
The Working Together Group has played a key part in my continued recovery because it has allowed me to turn my long battle with numerous eating disorders, into a positive. Previously, the regrets I had over the time, energy, and money I sacrificed to facilitate my eating disorders over the years, were one of the key reasons fuelling my reluctance to let my ED go. This group has given me the opportunity to work to make improvements to local ED services and help future service users and carers, which means everything to me.
What changes have you noticed in yourself since joining the group?
One of the biggest changes in myself since joining the group, is my improved confidence, self-esteem, and assertiveness in a group setting. I have never been good at public speaking or voicing my opinions, but my involvement in the working together group has allowed me to practice
this in a safe space where there is no judgement, but encouragement and support from everyone attending.
Are there moments in the group that felt especially meaningful or helpful to you?
The group consists of carers, service users, clinicians and professionals from both the Community Eating Disorder Service and their voluntary sector partners, Caraline. I have learned so much from all those that have participated since we began, and have been very fortunate to have built some fantastic relationships with members of the group. I have learned so much from both the lived experience and professional input, that has been extremely insightful, and inspiring. It is a privilege to be involved and have the opportunity to be part of the core group and chair some of the monthly meetings.
How would you describe the atmosphere or culture of the group?
The atmosphere and culture of the group is one of the best things about it. Although this was set up by the CEDS and Caraline, the ethos is very much that we are all equals and there is no hierarchy or power divide between professionals, service users, and carers. We are all passionate and have the same goal, which makes us a powerful group. I have never seen so many agenda items and goals actioned by NHS and professional services before. It is both refreshing and rewarding, knowing our voices are being heard and taken seriously, which is the complete opposite to my
previous experiences with eating disorder services. It has restored my trust and significantly improved my opinion of professionals and clinicians, which had been damaged in the past.
What advice would you give to someone considering joining for the first time?
Personally, I love to have new faces join the group because it has done so much for me in both my recovery journey and my continued recovery. The group are welcoming, supportive and values each member. It has been a safe space for me where there is no toxic competitiveness that often occurs with eating disorders, because we all know that every eating disorder is just as valid and important, however they present. The more diverse the group, the better, because everyone has been on their own journey and can offer a lot to the group.
The meetings are extremely flexible, where attendees can dip in and out whenever they would like. There is no expectation for attendees to say anything if not comfortable, because the group is all about feeling and being included. There is a dedicated email address for the group, which provides a separate means of contributing ideas from the meetings if this feels a more comfortable method to communicate, but by no means is this required.
I would advise everyone to come along and see what the group is about. It may just surprise them and prove a benefit, because it has certainly impacted my life and my ED journey, for the better.
Thank you Donna, for your honesty, courage and commitment to support others.