Eating Disorders Support (PETS)

Supporting people with eating disorders was the catalyst for founding Rewrite Your Story, and as such, it is a cause very close to our hearts.

Even as the organisation expands, and we are able to support an ever-growing array of people in our local community, we are very passionate about raising awareness of and providing treatment for, those with eating disorders.

Many of the young people who have successfully completed treatment and are in recovery, remain involved in the organisation as ambassadors or even as therapists themselves!

We are pleased to work in partnership with The Molly McLaren Foundation to continue providing therapy and support for those in need.

How we got started – the PETS project

During 2016/17 we organised a pilot scheme funded by the NHS and conducted across Kent. The project focused on early intervention in Eating Disorders in Children and Young People. The outcomes evidenced that with peer support, training, school support and therapy, amazing improvements in mental health and wellbeing could be achieved. We reached over 2500 young people through School Assemblies and Presentations and provided vital eating disorder awareness to professionals.

Throughout the project it became apparent that the raising awareness and early intervention for children and young people struggling with their mental health was of paramount importance. We believe that by taking away the stigma that may surround these issues, and by offering psycho-educational support, we can normalise someone asking for help in respect of a mental health condition much in the same way that they would for a physical ailment.

 ‘Early intervention is of paramount importance as the chance of having a successful and positive outcome is more likely the less entrenched a client becomes within their behaviours. With this in mind we acknowledged that in fact “raising awareness” of mental health was equally important and we are now able to offer training in this area to help to increase awareness of the various struggles a young person may face, including Eating Disorders, Depression and anxiety, and the behaviours that may be adopted. This includes looking at possible triggers and thought processes that may occur in an individual. We also look at the impact that such behaviours may have on the individual themselves both physically and mentally. Included in this we also look at the potential effect that this may have on those around them, such as family members and friends.’ – Sallie Kemp, Therapist

PETS FULL REPORT

PETS SUMMARY REPORT