News

This Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW), the theme of 'community' highlights the vital role connection and early support play in recovery.  

Eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Yet stigma and common myths often prevent people from seeking help. Eating disorders are not always the extreme cases we hear about in the media. They often begin with subtle changes in eating habits, body image concerns, or attempts to “eat clean” that gradually become distressing and overwhelming.

With social media trends promoting extreme dieting behaviours and constantly shifting body ideals, it is no wonder that services continue to see unprecedented ris es in referrals.

Despite this, many people often feel that they are “not sick enough” to get support, delaying the help that could make a difference early on. 

Support in the community  

The Eating Disorder Recovery Hubs provide timely , specialist community-based treatment for adults living in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington. The first hub opened in July 2024, with all five boroughs’ hubs up and running by January 2025.  

By delivering care within local Core Adult Mental Health Teams, the hubs aim to reduce barriers to treatment and ensure people can access timely, high-quality support, close to their homes. Read more about why we set up the service. 

The service provides treatment for mild-to-moderate cases where medical intervention is not required . This includes:  

Eighteen months on, the pathway has shown positive recovery outcomes and strong service user feedback.  

One service user shared:  

“I was able to make a lot of progress. It got me out of a really dark and scary place. I felt very listened to and affirmed.”  

Seeking help early on   

Eating disorders thrive in silence and isolation. This Eating Disorder Awareness Week, we are reminding you that recovery does not have to happen alone. Seeking help early offers the best chance of recovery and can prevent difficulties from becoming more severe.