How Your Vote For First Steps ED Can Help Whole Families Impacted By Eating Disorders.

First Steps ED is taking part in the My Favourite Voucher Codes poll this July alongside three other charities in the hope to receive the most votes and win some vital funds. Fundraising and donations are vital to the work they do; helping them to support young people and their families impacted by poor body image, difficulties with food and eating disorders.

What Is First Steps ED?

Founded in 2004, First Steps ED is an evidence-based specialist eating disorder charity, offering person-centred individual and group therapeutic services to people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Their programme of psychotherapy, peer support, groups and creative recoveries helps everyone with all types of disordered eating and disorders, body image, compulsive exercise and obesity-related conditions.

Alongside specialist eating disorder services is their community engagement. This includes psycho-educational workshops in schools and within the community which helps children, young people, adults and supports parents in changing their body image perception and relationship with food. 

The team are passionate about offering a service which is inclusive, understanding and non-judgemental, believing that support should be available for all those affected by eating difficulties and disorders; recognising the impact of an eating disorder is often felt not only by the person experiencing it but also by their support network. These principles of equality and diversity underpin our person-centred, service user led approach to mental wellbeing.

What Does First Steps ED Do?

Referrals for eating disorder services have increased substantially in the last few years, something First Steps ED has experienced first-hand. To meet the changing demand for services, First Steps ED continue to develop and grow our pathways and partnerships to support individuals on the increasing waiting lists of NHS services. The shift to digital services during the pandemic helped the charity increased the availability of resources and support throughout the UK, benefiting service users who may not otherwise have access or awareness of the services available for eating difficulties and disorders.

Key areas of First Steps ED’s work are: intervention, education and equity.

Intervention. Their psycho-education groups, workshops, peer support and therapeutic services are available for those beginning to develop an eating disorder (or at risk of), those who have had one for some time, or for those who are experiencing a relapse. It is widely recognised that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to eating disorders, and this extends to the efforts in early intervention within the community.

First Steps ED know that barriers still exist. Stigma, socio-economic issues, health discrimination, weight bias, poor education, which is why they also focus on education.

Education. A huge part of First Steps ED’s work centres around education and awareness, believe that an understanding of key risk factors for disordered eating and associated behaviours is significant in protecting those at risk. The team works with professionals across a number of sectors to provide training for early intervention and effective signposting. They also provide guidance to parents, carers and siblings so they can better understand their own roles and responsibilities to strengthen a loved one’s relationship with food, mood and exercise.

Equity. Equity is a core value at First Steps ED, recognising the social and cultural factors which can play a role in someone’s recovery. An example of their work in this area is their campaigning and considerations for culturally diverse groups to better understand their values and belief systems and how they can play a role in nutrition and wellbeing.

How to Get in Touch with First Steps ED

If you or a loved one is struggling with your relationship with food or exercise, an eating disorder diagnosis or you’re worried about a vulnerable loved one and would like more education and guidance on how to support someone, you can make a referral via the First Steps ED website. First Steps ED provide help to anyone who’s relationship with their body or food is impacting their life. Referrals are open to all ages and backgrounds and there doesn’t need to be an official mental health or eating disorder diagnosis from a registered health professional to access their services. Referrals can either be for yourself, carer, parents, or professional support worker.

If you want to reach out to discuss working with First Steps ED, or benefitting from their training opportunities you can contact their friendly team at info@firststepsed.co.uk

How to Get Involved with First Steps ED?

Whether you’re a young person, adult, professional or just curious, there are lots of ways to get involved in the work First Steps ED does and support them. As a charity they couldn’t reach out to as many families and professionals without our help.

The service relies on over 100 students and volunteers each year to support service delivery, particularly within their award-winning befriending service. Together, the community at First Steps ED can support those who feel left behind by more traditional support channels, as well as those seeking any additional support or training with regards to mental health.

The First Steps ED’s CPD accredited foundation courses ‘Skills for Eating Disorder Support‘ is available to any professional working with children and adults throughout the UK. Whilst eating disorders are complex, understanding the clinical presentations can help promote early interventions and prevention, which is why their CPD accredited training was developed.

Fundraising and donations also play a vital role in keeping the First Steps ED service thriving, and their team have an array of options and opportunities to get involved. From simple donations, fundraising tools and their charity t-shirt partnership, there has never been an easier way to support them! Learn more via their Get Involved page.

Do First Steps ED Get Your Vote?

A vote for First Steps ED ensures eating disorder support is accessible and available to all and will help the team continue supporting service users, even during times of uncertainty and the cost-of-living crisis which is already impacting individuals and families in significant ways. Raising awareness of eating disorders and outreach into local communities is crucial. This helps to reduce stigma which is proven to prevent sufferers from finding the help they need to live a life which isn’t defined by an eating disorder.

It is a turbulent time for those struggling with their mental health. To learn more about First Steps ED, make a referral or for further information about fundraising and donations, please visit their website here: https://firststepsed.co.uk.

If First Steps ED get your vote, then head over to our Homepage now to help them win 20% of our profits this month! Don't forget to share the poll with friends and family, and help people struggling with eating disorders to access the support they need.