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 issues with wide ranging physical, mental and social impacts. An estimated 1.25 million people in the UK are affected, and that number is growing, especially among young people; in 2023, the NHS reported that 1 in 8 young people aged 17-19 years were living with 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 exist to provide preventative support to people who would not otherwise be able to access specialist help. We offer specialist counselling, information and guidance, recovery support, 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 over 1,000 children, young people and adults, 30% 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 as long as they need us.