SWEDA UK

If you or someone close to you has experience of an eating disorder, you will know how profoundly it can affect the lives of individuals and their families. Eating disorders are serious mental health illnesses with wide ranging physical, psychological and social impacts, and the number of people affected is growing fast. NHS research in 2023 showed 1 in 8 young people aged 17-19 had an eating disorder.

SWEDA is the only charity in the South & West of England to provide specialist one to one support for people affected by eating disorders. We offer specialist counselling, information and guidance, support calls, a twice-weekly helpline, nutritional sessions, and support groups. We also raise awareness of eating disorders and body image issues by visiting schools and colleges, and we train health and education professionals to recognise the signs of eating disorders.

In the past year, SWEDA has given one-to-one support to 1,200 children, young people and adults. This is 18% more than the previous year, but we still can’t meet demand. We need help to meet urgent need, and to make sure we are here for people with eating disorders for as long as they need us.

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