Eating disorders can take many forms and can affect people in different ways. In Scotland there is an online peer-support service available for young people (aged 14 – 25) with an eating disorder and for their parents/Carers. Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, has teamed up with the NHS in Scotland to deliver this thanks to funding from the Technology Enabled Care Grant from the Scottish Government.

One-to-One Email Support

if you want to talk to someone who understands your experiences Beat can pair you with a trained volunteer befriender who has recovered from their own eating disorder or supported someone through recovery. What to expect from a Beat befriender:

• One to three emails per week
• A listening ear
• Signposting to other services that might be helpful.

The befrienders are:

• Trained by Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity
• Individuals aged 18-35 who have recovered from an eating disorder, or
• Parents or Carers who have supported a young person aged 12 – 25 with an eating disorder

You are eligible if:

• You provide support to a young person in Scotland aged 12 – 25 years old with an eating disorder, or
• You are a young person with an eating disorder in Scotland and you are 14 – 25 years old.

You can also contact your GP or other healthcare professional for advice and support about an eating disorder or concern about your own or someone else’s eating patterns or wellbeing.