National helplines and support groups

National helplines (BEAT): 0808 801 0432

Hummingbird – BEAT’s confidential, inclusive and welcoming spaces for anyone who has or thinks they might have ARIF. Attend as often or as little as you like, all ages welcome.

Nightingale – Free weekly online support group for anyone with a binge eating disorder – no diagnosis or referral needed.

Swan – Free weekly online support group for anyone with anorexia – no diagnosis needed.

The Nest – Free online support group for anyone with an eating disorder- no diagnosis or referral needed.

Phoenix – Free weekly online support group for anyone under the age of 25 with an eating disorder – no diagnosis or referral needed.

Kingfisher – Free weekly online support group for anyone with bulimia – no diagnosis or referral needed and for all ages.

POD for carers – Peer support and online development for carers is a space designed for people who are supporting someone else.

BEAT page for general tips supporting someone: Supporting someone with an eating disorder – Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk)

BEAT page for ARFID: what is it? ARFID – Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk)

Local services

NHS Leeds and York Partnership NHS foundation Trust: Connect: The West Yorkshire Adult Eating Disorder Service – This is a 4 tier service, with each tier created to support individuals with Eating Disorders (EDs) in different ways to provide better quality care to each individual.

  • T1: Primary care network including GP’s, charities and third sector organisations. (This can be difficult to get past without an official diagnosis)
  • T2: Linked-ED – support with disordered eating, alongside their primary MH diagnosis.
  • T3: Connect community team supports those with an ED diagnosis in the community.
  • T4: Connect inpatient service

More info: Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust -Eating Disorders Service (Adult) (leedsandyorkpft.nhs.uk)

Open Access Pathway: collection of support run by CONNECT and link-ED in west Yorkshire and beyond. It is not a crisis service and does not process referrals. For information on referrals visit the resources page.

Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust -Resources (leedsandyorkpft.nhs.uk)

The Hub: The Hub is an online support group, open to anyone experiencing an eating disorder/disordered eating. The group runs every Tuesday on Zoom, 2-3.30pm.

If you would like to attend, or for more information about The Hub, please email [email protected]. You will receive an automatic reply including all the relevant information needed (such as joining link, guidelines and support lines).

Carers’ Group: Carers’ Group is an online support group, open to anyone supporting someone, who is experiencing an eating disorder/disordered eating.The group runs monthly, on the 1st Wednesday of every month, on Zoom, 7-8.30pm.

If you would like to attend, or for more information about Carers’ Group, please email [email protected].

Student minds – Mental health charity supporting students: 0808 808 4994 or studentminds.org.uk

Papyrus HOPELINEUK – Support for under 35’s at risk of suicide and others who are concerned about them. 24/7

Hub of hope – Postcode finder for other available services near you. This includes private / funded support as well

FREED – Information and guides for yourself or parents / carers as well as professionals. Guides include (but not limited to), Bone health; the brain and eating disorders; social media and apps; Healthy eating; Coping with the festive seasons; seeking help; eating with confidence.

Support you need to pay for

Talk ED – Website with information about Ed’s and support as well as multiple courses to pay for including nutritional coaching sessions (£45). – Support services – TalkED (talk-ed.org.uk)

Battle Scars: Offer training that is insightful and delivered by people with lived experience. The training is there to provide a better understanding of eating disorders, what causes them and how to support someone struggling with disordered eating.

Holistic therapy group for eating based difficulties – Oakdale Centre

Rosie Driffill

More private therapist options on BEAT’s postcode finder: HelpFinder (beateatingdisorders.org.uk)