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Our Work with The Molly McLaren Foundation A message from our founder Alan Heyes welcoming you to Mollyfest 2022 Thank you for visiting this webpage! I am delighted to welcome you all, both to this page and to Mollyfest 2022.  You may have found this page by using the QR code on the card available at the event. This is my third Mollyfest and I am delighted to be [...]

Eating Disorders Podcast In today's episode, Joe and Mark discuss eating disorders. They interview guest Alan Heyes who explains the causes, body image and the impact it can have on mental health. Visit Apple Podcast

Stay active Movement is important... particularly since we can’t go out, apart from our one episode of exercise. Doing quick bursts of exercise throughout the day will help, try dancing when you are cleaning the house or while waiting for the kettle to boil! Routine, exercise, and going outside if you have a garden if not try one of the online exercise classes. Get dressed and ready for work. [...]

Talking about my eating disorder publicly has really opened my eyes to how many people struggle with similar experiences. My eating disorder started when I went to University: the massive change, moving from a small country village to a large city, leaving my family behind. Suddenly everything was different and I desperately wanted to fit in. In the past I’d been bullied at school, I was terrified it might [...]

There are different types of eating disorders that are categorized by their symptoms and health affects. Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms include: Over evaluation of shape and weight and control Judging self-worth largely and even exclusively in terms of shape and weight and the ability to control Active maintenance of low body weight – less than 85% of that expected or a body mass index of 17.5 or below Inadequate food [...]

I have been in recovery for 5 years now. A series of events occurred in my life, which were out of my personal control. The death of my Father pushed me over the edge and triggered my need to control something. In my case, I coped by controlling the one thing I could, my weight and what I ate. At the age of 18, I was diagnosed with anorexia [...]

In the UK, 400,000 people live with type 1 diabetes, meanwhile Canadian research suggests as many as 60% of female type 1 sufferers have experienced an eating disorder by age 25. You don’t get a day off when you’ve got diabetes. Every day is about blood sugar levels, needles and numbers. When you’ve got diabetes and an eating disorder, well, that’s a lot of numbers dictating your life, from [...]

Therapy Partners’ Sallie Kemp and Rubie Cousins recently visited Mayfield Grammar School for Girls to deliver an interactive assembly about Eating Disorders and Body Image to 180 girls. It’s main aim; Raise as much awareness as possible about eating disorders, how and why they develop, what role society plays in this and how to get help. Rubie, one of Rewrite Your Story trustees, who shared her story through the [...]

The PETS (Psycho-Educational Therapeutic Intervention strategy) project which inspired the launch of Rewrite Your Story, has published an Executive Summary Report and a Full Report of the project’s outcomes, outlining the 3 different areas of three-dimensional multi-faceted support offered to young people and their families throughout the project; TARGETED SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS on a one-to-one basis by providing 20 sessions of solution-focused, evidence-based CBT-E therapy within a week of referral at [...]

An article in The Guardian has highlighted the issues with the NHS services for eating disorders, the increase in referalls especially in children and young people under the age of 19, and that the system is just not working.  The number of admissions to hospital of patients with potentially life-threatening eating disorders has almost doubled over the past six years, amid warnings from experts that NHS services to tackle [...]

We couldn’t be prouder of our Nutritionist Hannah Burton here at Therapy Partners, Rewrite Your Story! Not least because she never stops tirelessly fundraising for our children and young people! Last Wednesday 21st February, Hannah organised the Meopham Players Jungle Book showing, an exclusive first showing of the fantastic play in Meopham, especially in aid of RWYS. Thank you to all those who made an effort to sell tickets, [...]

Therapy Partners are pleased to annouce we have a new Therapy Room for rent on a sessional basis at Maidstone Community Support Center, 39-48 Marsham Street, Maidstone. The newly refurbished, tranquil and well equipped room is suitable for talking therapies for couples, small fmailes or individuals and meetings for between 2-4 people.  Close to public transport in the center of Maidstone – 5 mins from Maidstone East Train Station, [...]

A Nutritionist is able to consider any medical problems or risk factors in health that are consequential to an eating disorder. It is important to educate those at risk that when the body is malnourished it ‘shuts down’ the body systems that are not vital for survival. The body can go into a state of ‘stress’ which leads to decline in overall health, mood, immune function, growth and development, [...]

Blueberriesandraspberries:highinantioxidantcapacityandimmuneboostingthatare lower in sugar than many other fruits. Pistachios:thesearegreatbecausetheshellingprocesstakestimesoyouendupeating them slower. They contain fiber, biotin, B6, thiamine, folate, unsaturated fats and plant sterols making them nutritionally packed as well as tasty. Broccoli:per100gofbroccolitheyareonly34kcal,0.4gfat,highinpotassium,7gCHO, 2.8g protein, contain vitamins A, D, B12, C, B6, calcium and magnesium. Salmon:highinvitaminD,B12,selenium,omegas3and6(essentialfattyacids),B6, protein, phosphorus, potassium and biotin, is beneficial to heart and brain health and has been found to assist in weight regulation. Quinoa:proteinpackedgraintouseasahealthyalternativetoothergrains,isoneofthe most protein [...]

Ongoing and repetitive dieting - Counting calories, converting to vegetarianism or veganism, skipping meals and cutting out entire food groups, drinking coffee and diet fizzy drinks to feel full. Obsession – obsessed with food. Looking up recipes, always cooking meals for others but not consuming them, rigidity (control) – not letting anyone else cook meals for them, eating at certain/set times, eating with small utensils e.g. tea spoon, taking [...]

Many people are subject to the common misconception that calories are made equal, but what they do and the benefit that they provide to the body is not the same. Our bodies need a vast mix of vitamins, minerals and fibre to function, and some foods offer us a higher nutrient density than others. For example, strawberries are a great source of vitamins C and K, fibre, folic acid, [...]

‘When a young person is bullied they can be left feeling isolated and not good enough, with low self-esteem. Sometimes the behaviour they develop can be a way of putting control back in to a world that they feel they don’t have any control in. This can manifest itself in disordered eating by overeating or restricting their eating to any unhealthy level.’ – Sallie Kemp, Therapist Unfortunately, bullying in [...]

There are more resources available to you to help recognise, support and treat those who need it. Rewrite Your Story offers training, awareness and prevention through educational seminars on how to recognise and support a young person with eating problems, alongside educational school assemblies, and one to one support. To enquire further email connect@rewriteyourstory.org.uk

Teachers are on the frontline of eating disorder prevention and awareness. Daily interactions with children and young people, the demographic with the highest risk of developing eating disorders, put teachers and professionals in a unique position. There are plenty of subtle signs that someone you treat or teach could be suffering from or developing a potential eating disorder. Please see the warning signs on our ‘About Eating Disorders’ page. [...]

Over the course of 2016/17 our colleagues at RWYS have been developing a groundbreaking whole system approach to supporting, promoting and protecting the emotional wellbeing of children and young people with eating disorders, their families and other professionals. PETS 1 & 2 Psycho-Educations Therapeutic INtervention Strategy (PETS for short) Is support that extends beyond the reach of traditional services, recognising that early intervention is key and early results support [...]

Getting Help... Therapy Partners Their team of qualified, friendly professionals offer a variety of services for those suffering from and affected by eating disorders, including group and individual therapy, training for schools and organisations, workshops and seminars. Visit the website Finding Help Find Get Give is an online directory of mental health support services that work with 13-25 year olds. One of the websites unique selling points is that young [...]

Here you will find links to helpful websites and services specifically aimed at helping those with and affected by eating disorders. Book an eating disorder awareness training for your school or organisation – connect@rewriteyourstory.org.uk Recommended books and guidance Eating Disorders: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Children and Young People (CBT with Children, Adolescents and Families) – Simon G Gowers and Lynne Green Overcoming Binge Eating: A Comprehensive Guide to Symptoms, [...]

As a family member, friend or carer of someone suffering from an eating disorder, you are not alone. Eating disorders can have a huge impact on the lives of the people around the sufferer, which is why support, counselling, individual and family therapy is very important to help with some of the feelings and emotions that arise. These can include; Self blame Depression Shame Sense of loss Confusion and [...]

Being consistently underweight can cause long term health problems, will affect all your body systems including your physical, psychological and social functioning and even change the way you are as a person. Some of the effects described here are direct effects of sustained under-eating rather than a low weight and can affect anyone who is markedly under-eating regardless of their weight. PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS Thinking -  Your brain needs a [...]

Being consistently underweight can cause long term health problems, and have an effect on all of your bodily functions, including physically, psychologically and socially. Psychological effects Thinking: Difficulty in decision making Pre-occupation with food Disinterest in hobbies and activities Less spontaneous Feelings: Easily irritated or upset Isolated from friends and family Unwilling to maintain friendships Behaviour: Obsessional, ritualised behaviour and routines Setting rigid rules around what you must not [...]

‘To lose confidence in one’s body, is to lose confidence in oneself’ – Simone de Beauvoir (writer, activist) In our current society, we are bombarded with images of what we are supposed to look like and are presented with an unrealistic, warped ideal of what beautiful is. Social media, television, celebrity culture and the media reinforce the notion that we are not good enough, telling us how we need [...]

There are different types of eating disorders that are categorized by their symptoms and health affects. Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms include: Over evaluation of shape and weight and control Judging self-worth largely and even exclusively in terms of shape and weight and the ability to control Active maintenance of low body weight – less than 85% of that expected or a body mass index of 17.5 or below Inadequate food [...]

It’s that time of year again, the shops are full of Christmas Fayre, the lights are lit, and pretty much anyone dealing with an eating disorder in their midst will be trying to quell that nervous feeling that Christmas is around the corner. So here is our Christmas Toolbox. There are lots of different ideas so pick and choose those that might work in your household. Please feel free to [...]