A number of courses are now available to help support people with eating disorders in York, as part of ongoing work to improve mental health services.
Commissioned by the Connecting Our City community mental health project, as part of the North Yorkshire and York Community Mental Health Transformation Programme, six specialist programmes are now available from eating disorder specialist Beat.
There range of different packages of support are aimed at adults and carers of anyone aged eight years and over with an eating disorder. They include a 12-week programme for people who are currently not eligible for specialist support; those on a waiting list for support; and people aged 18-25 who may benefit from peer support. The programmes offer a combination of conversations with Beat specialist advisors, guided self-help and peer support.
Cllr Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said: “Eating disorders can be devastating for the person and their families. We are offering a timely and effective programme with a range of early intervention and quality treatments, all of which contribute towards making a full recovery.
“These programmes are being offered alongside the wider work of Connecting Our City to transform community-based mental health services across the city for residents.”
David Kerr, Community Mental Health Transformation and Programme Delivery Lead at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said:“We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Beat, as together we can make sure that people get the fast and efficient access to support they need and deserve.
“Early intervention is absolutely key to making sure people receive the help they need to maximise their chances of a good recovery. I am delighted that the new BEAT courses will offer both one-to-one support for people with eating disorders, as well as help for those supporting loved ones with eating disorders too.”
Caroline Price, Beat's Director of Services, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Connecting Our City mental health project to deliver our specialist programmes to those affected by eating disorders and carers.
“We know that the sooner someone gets the help they need, the better their chances of making a full recovery, and we hope that Beat’s services will play a part in York residents’ recovery journeys. Eating disorders can affect a whole support network, not just the person who is unwell, and so we are also proud to offer specialist support for carers, who often do not receive or request help for themselves.”
A carer who attended Beat’s Developing Dolphins training, said: “It was really helpful and has made me feel much more positive and optimistic that things can change.”
The courses for people supporting family members or friends with an eating disorder are called ‘Developing Dolphins’. This free, online training is for anyone caring for someone with anorexia or bulimia, based on the principles of the New Maudsley method developed by expert Professor Janet Treasure. Participants can find out more about eating disorders, gain an understanding of the driving forces behind them, and learn some techniques to help the person they care for in recovery, while looking after their own wellbeing. Developing Dolphins is delivered by clinicians who work directly with people with eating disorders as well as carers offering peer support.
Nexus is a one-to-one coaching service, whose aim isn’t to tell people with an eating disorder what to do. The participant and their assigned advisor will develop a safe, confidential and supportive space where the advisor will act as a sounding board, offering guidance to find solutions as well as offering practical techniques to help motivate positive change.
The work with Beat is part of a wider programme to expand and enhance support in the city for people with an eating disorder and their families.
For more information or to book onto these courses, please call Beat’s helpline on 0808 801 0677.
To find the right course for someone with an eating disorder or a carer of someone with an eating disorder, please visit: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/beat-support-in-my-area/get-support-in-england/
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