Campaigning

Campaigning is an integral part of Beat’s work – we want you to help us to raise awareness and influence change. Together, we can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by eating disorders, through campaigning for improved services, changes to policy and helping people to understand the issues surrounding these complex mental illnesses.

New campaigning issues

We’re planning ahead and looking at various campaigning issues. I’d be most grateful if you could respond if you’ve experienced any of the following scenarios with some background - or if you know someone who has and who may be interested in helping campaign on any of these issues please pass this on.

Many thanks and best wishes
Mary George, Press Officer, email: media@b-eat.co.uk

• Depression – has depression played a major part in the development of your eating disorder?
• Siblings – would you or your sibling have anything to say on the effect of an eating disorder on a brother or sister?
• Do you have a twin or triplet?
• Do you feel that your cultural background has any influence on the development of your eating disorder?
• Are you diabetic?
• Did your eating disorder start after the age of 25?  Or are you over 25 and still struggling?
• Do you suffer from osteoporosis?
• Have you suffered dental problems as a result of your eating disorder?
• Have you had any problems with binge eating or compulsive overeating?
• Do you suffer from problems related to obesity?

Reforming the NHS?

The Government has published details of their intention to restructure the NHS, in particular looking at how services should be commissioned and delivered.

This is an important opportunity for you to help us campaign, to raise awareness of eating disorders and make sure that the restructured NHS provides the treatment and support that people need.

The restructure involves abolishing Primary Care Trusts, who currently commission all services. Some low volume but high intensity services, which includes specialist eating disorder services, are provided separately and will not be affected by this restructure. However, these specialist services are not appropriate for people with moderate eating disorders, so our campaigning will include understanding the needs of these people, why they need treatment and support to prevent their eating disorder worsening.

Our campaign is focused on raising awareness of eating disorders in primary care, making sure that GPs can recognise eating disorders and provide appropriate treatment and care for sufferers, their families and carers.

The new GP commissioning groups will be able to commission local services, and we want them to understand the importance of self help and support groups, and help them to provide the services and support that people need in their area.

What can you do?

Contact your MP: Write to your MP or make an appointment to see them at their constituency surgery. Use this opportunity to tell them about your experience of eating disorders, why support and treatment is important and what you want them to do. to them and how to structure a meeting with them.

Join your Local Involvement Network (LINk): Every area has a patient involvement forum, known as LINk groups. These groups have powers to question NHS services and are valuable tools for engaging with your local NHS services. They bring together people interested in specific issues, and provide a collective, local voice for those issues. You can find the details of your local LINk through your local NHS website or GP surgery. Please let us know if you have joined your LINk and we can help you put questions and comments forward through them. For more information about LINks, visit their website

Become a Media Contact: We are always looking for more people to tell their stories in the media. We have daily requests to provide case studies to make interesting stories that people can relate to. If you have personal or family experience of an eating disorder we would love to hear from you. Please contact media@b-eat.co.uk or call 0300 123 7061.

Tweet us: We have a Twitter feed that we use to promote our work, tell you about media stories and raise awareness of eating disorders. Join Twitter and follow us, retweet our tweets and let all your followers know about what we do. Instructions on how to join and use Twitter can be found here.