Media Requests

If you are interested in any of the following, please email: media@b-eat.co.uk or the production company details provided

Media Requests

BBC3 Documentary Series

 
I am working on a new BBC 3 documentary series being made by the award winning independent production company Silver River, documenting young people who have prematurely aged their bodies due to their lifestyle choices. This three part series will focus on alcohol, weight issues and drugs that are often associated with the club scene. The series is funded by BBC Learning and it aims to be informative for a young audience.

The episode that I am working on is looking at young people who have damaged their bodies due to their relationship with food and diet. The aim of the series is to present an insightful and intelligent look into how young people cope with the damage that they have done to their bodies – this could be living with Type 2 diabetes, suffering from osteoporosis or dental problems. The series is observational in nature, so we would follow the young people over the next few months, filming them periodically to achieve a snapshot of what it must be like to live their life. My main aim is to present an honest, non-judgmental look at an issue that causes no much negative thoughts and views in the national media. I am really keen to make a sensitive and thoughtful documentary series, giving voice to a group of young people out there who are feeling the impact of the day-to-day lives.

I am really keen to speak to anyone who would be able to offer an insight into their day to day lives.

My contact number is 0207 907 3466 and email is harjeet.chhokar@silverriver.tv

 

CHANNEL 4

betty are making a second series of the hit show Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners for Channel 4 and we are looking for people to take part. 

This primetime features series see a team of compulsive cleaners teach Britain’s most disorganised people some valuable lessons in housekeeping. Transforming their unkempt environments and creating order where there once was chaos. Are you obsessed with cleaning and do you spend hours a day dusting, polishing and vacuuming? Perhaps you are passionate about tidying? Are your socks colour-coded and your kitchen cupboards spotless? 

OR

 Is your home in need of a serious spring clean? Do you avoid housekeeping at all costs? Perhaps your living room is bursting with junk and clutter and you’re too embarrassed to have people around? If you are interested in finding out more, please get in touch by calling 02079070892 or email clean@betty.co.uk 

Calls to this number will be charged at your local rate, mobiles may vary. Betty will use any information provided by you only for the purposes of selecting participants for the programme and will only share information with the broadcaster and any independent contractors involved in the programme. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to answer all applicants individually. Please note, no anonymous nominations allowed.

WALL TO WALL - BBC Documentary

Well-known factual production company Wall to Wall, makers of respected shows such as Who Do You Think You Are, Goodnight Britain and Long Lost Family, would like to make contact with anyone (18 years old and over) who would be happy to share their story regarding their issues with food - be it SED, phobias, orthorexia, addictions...for a potential new BBC factual series. All information would be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality. To be clear, this is an initial research stage, not a filming stage. Mel Walden can be contacted on foodcompulsions@walltowall.co.uk or on 020 3301 7875. Many thanks!

SUNDAY EXPRESS

I’m wondering if you can help with a feature I’m writing for the Sunday Express S Magazine?We’re doing a piece about anorexia in middle aged women, pointing out that it’s not just a young person’s disease and that increasing numbers of older women are seeking help. This will be a positive piece with plenty of information for women about where to find help.

We also want to speak to a woman who developed the disease from the age of 35 up who would be willing to talk to us about her experience and how she recovered or is recovering. She would need to be willing to be photographed for the piece, too.

I appreciate that many women will feel too vulnerable to talk to me, but I’m hoping that someone who is, perhaps, partially or fully recovered will be willing to speak out and get the message across to other women with the disease.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Emma Burstall,

Author and Journalist,

Mobile: 07939 207993

Phone: 020 8549 4066

emmaburstall@blueyonder.co.uk

 

BBC DOCUMENTARY ABOUT PREGNANCY AND EATING DISORDERS

Hello, I'm a producer in BBC documentaries and I'm doing some research for a documentary about pregnancy and eating disorders. 

This is a subject that has not received much coverage and we're hoping that with a sensitive and intelligent film we will be able to shine some light on this often taboo subject. 

I’m hoping to speak to women who are pregnant, considering pregnancy or have recently had a baby who have also been affected by eating disorders either now or in the past.

Our hope is to explore some of the issues and stories around this area and so would be keen to speak to people who might be able to help us with our research.

Any conversation at this stage would be in complete confidence and there would be no obligation to appear in the film. 

Please do get in touch if you would like to have a chat about this I can be contacted on 0208 008 0356, or laura.martin-robinson@bbc.co.uk and I would be happy to tell you more. 

 

Young People with eating disorders

We are doing some preliminary research into a documentary about eating disorders in young children. This subject is complex and sensitive and often misunderstood which is why we’d love to speak to real people about the issues they are facing.

At this stage we just want to talk to people who are affected by this in some way. Perhaps you know someone this has affected,  or are a parent to a sufferer or a sufferer yourself. We would love to have a conversation, in the strictest confidence, about your experience with the assurance that there is absolutely no obligation this information would go any further.

! All information will be dealt with sensitively and in the strictest confidence.

If you want to get in touch please email Emma at emmag@minnowfilms.co.uk

Thank you.

Have you had difficulties around food but not necessarily developed an eating disorder?

Freshone Productions are looking for people aged between 11 and 15 who can talk about having a difficult relationship with food and/or body image, for a commissioned documentary series exploring the diet and weight-loss industry. You do not necessarily have to have or be recovering from a serious eating disorder; Freshone would like to talk to any children (and their families) who have experienced problems with food, such as obsessive calorie counting, preoccupation with eating the ‘right’ foods or low-fat foods, unhealthy worries about wanting to be thin, or going on a diet at a young age. 

All information will be kept strictly confidential and by talking to Julia, or the team, there is no obligation to take part or be filmed. Please call Julia on 07870 207798 or email Julia.kirby-smith@freshone.tv

 

BBC Documentary on bone density issues

Silver River Productions are looking for people aged between 16-32 who have low bone density as a result of their eating disorder for a documentary which explores aspects of young peoples' lives.

All information will be kept strictly confidential and by talking to him, or the team, there is no obligation to take part or be filmed.

Call or email:  020 7307 2733    charlie.pheby@silverriver.tv

Documentary on Pica

I am developing a programme for Channel 4 about people suffering from Pica and I would be very interested to speak to anyone who eats strange, non-food items such as plaster, sponges or cleaning products. It may be that you have kept your eating habits hidden from your family; or you are pregnant and have just developed unusual cravings; or perhaps your child suffers from Pica. At this stage, I am simply interested in finding out more about what it is like to have this disorder and how it is affecting your life. Any conversation would be confidential and there’s no obligation to appear in the programme.

You can contact me at: rachael.swindale@arrowmedia.com

 

Documentary on food addiction

North One Television is currently developing a new series in which we’re hoping to speak to people who need help with overcoming food addiction.

We are keen to speak to people who have been affected by an addiction to a singular type of food and are looking for help in overcoming this addiction. We will be working with some of the UK’s leading experts in cognitive behavioural psychotherapy to offer free guidance and support to all contributors.

All enquiries will be dealt with confidentially. If you would like to discuss this in further detail please contact tom.norton@northonetv.com or call 0121 697 1942.

Diet Pills

Pioneer Productions are currently producing a two part science documentary for the BBC about body image. The series will feature real-life stories and cutting edge CGI to explore the ways in which people choose to change their bodies from losing weight and bulking up to cosmetic surgery and tanning.

We would like to hear from young people who have used diet pills in the past and their experience of them positive or negative. If you feel you would be happy talking about your experience, please do get in touch. Any conversation would be in complete confidence, at this stage you are not making any obligation to appear in the film; it would just be an informal chat.

I can be contacted at Kwabena.oppong@pioneertv.com or on 07908218919 to answer any questions you may have and let you know more about the programme.

BBC Documentary on Body Image and comfort eating

Pioneer Productions are currently producing a two part science documentary for the BBC about body image.  The series will feature real-life stories and cutting edge CGI to explore the ways in which people view their bodies.

We want to explore the psychological issues behind eating disorders and we would like to hear from people who feel that they may have suffered some form of comfort eating. If you feel you would be happy talking about your experience, please do get in touch. Any conversation would be in complete confidence, at this stage you are not making any obligation to appear in the film; it would just be an informal chat.

I can be contacted at carolyn.wells@pioneertv.com or 0207 258 6876 to answer any questions you may have and let you know more about the programme.

Carolyn Wells

www.pioneertv.com

Channel 4 are looking for people who would be interested in participating in The Food Hospital series.

The successful ground-breaking Channel 4 series exploring the potential health benefits of food in treating a wide range of illnesses and ailments returns for a new series.

Are you a serial dieter always trying the latest diet?

Are you addicted to a certain food or drink?

Do you live off junk food?

Do you replace calories from food with calories from alcohol?

Are you willing to follow a scientifically devised diet

which might help to improve your conditions and / or symptoms?

Our team of medical experts, including a GP, a specialist medical Consultant and a leading Dietitian will work closely with the patients to devise individual diets targeted at their particular condition and will monitor their progress.

Please get in touch for more information.

Call Becky on 020 7907 0260 or email becky.casey@betty.co.uk

Your experiences

Have you had experience of any of the following combined with an eating disorder that you would be prepared to share?

~          Autism

~          Osteoporosis

~          Diabetes

We welcome people who wish to help others by raising awareness through the media.  If you feel this might be of interest please complete the questionnaire on the ‘Share Your Story’ section in the Media Centre or email:  media@b-eat.co.uk 

If you would like more information please contact Mary George, Beat Press Officer on 0300 123 7061

Body Image Photography Project

I am an internationally renowned social documentary photographer. My projects have for the most part focused on young people. I have produced various series about Teenage Parents, Young Carers, Transgender youth and other connected projects. (My website is www.michellesank.com)

My new project is about body image and young people who struggle with this. I am interested in telling these stories to enable a greater understanding about eating disorders and the struggle people have to go through. Through this work I hope to reduce the social stigma as well as providing a common support network for both young people and their families.

The work I produce stays within the documentary field and the images are used in a socially relevant context. For example, my Young Carers images have been used in a conference on Social Care within communities. I do not sell work to newspapers or stock libraries so am in control of how the images are used. As an artist the work can from time to time form part of related art exhibitions or art publications.

“I am always interested in portraying the human side in my images. I work very much on a give and take relationship with my subjects where their dignity is of the utmost importance to me”

If you are interested in working with me please contact me at michelle@michellesank.com

Programme for Channel 4

 Cineflix is producing a Channel 4 documentary aimed at tackling stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health issues, specifically in the work place. Despite the fact that 1 in 4 people are affected by mental health issues in their lifetime many of these still feel they are not able to disclose this to their colleagues.

We are looking for people whose lives have been touched by a mental health issue; either by having experienced it themselves, or through the experiences of close friends or family.

Ideally all our contributors will be working or actively seeking work.

If you think that this is something that would be of interest to you, or you would simply like more information, then please do get in touch either via email mentalhealth@cineflix.com or call our team on 0203 179 0097

Obesity

Many people are unaware that Obesity can also be categorised as an eating disorder.  Not enough emphasis is placed on the emotions that people who have weight concerns struggle with.  Beat supports a significant number of people who are overweight or obese.  We would welcome contact from individuals who have experience of overeating in order to support them and to ask if they might consider supporting our work by speaking publicly – through the media – about their difficulties.

Fertility Issues

There is currently interest in fertility issues around eating disorders.  If you have been affected - have had to seek fertility treatment in order to conceive, or have tried for a considerable amount of time for a family - or have any other similar experiences and are prepared to talk about it, contact Beat.  

Gastric Band Surgery

Have you had gastric band surgery?  If so, and you would be willing to talk about it please email media@b-eat.co.uk  with some background, your age, when and why you had the surgery and a telephone contact number.