If you know somebody who has an eating disorder or who you think might have an eating disorder, we can help you. On these pages you can find information about starting important conversations with someone you’re worried about, how you can help them during their treatment and throughout their wider recovery journey, and advice for taking care of your own wellbeing while supporting someone with an eating disorder. And remember, Beat’s support services are here for you as well as the person you’re caring for.You may also find our Guide for Friends and Family booklet helpful. For younger carers, we offer an alternative guide for 11 – 18 year olds.
We offer a range of services for those affected by eating disorders. We can help you support your loved one, friend or colleague via our Helpline, support and training programmes and online resources .
When you contact our Helpline you will speak to a trained support worker experienced in listening and talking to people in a similar situation to you.
Our online directory of eating disorder support services. Search HelpFinder to find Beat Services and Private providers available in your area.
Our information and resources will help you support your loved one with tips suggested by other carers.
Whether you need 1-2-1 support, want to connect with others or to learn new skills, our range of support services can help.
POD (peer support and online development) is Beat's e-learning platform for anyone supporting someone with an eating disorder. POD provides you with a space to learn, share and find community through workshops, courses and forums.
Information on how to support a friend or family member affected by an eating disorder.
While eating disorders can affect anyone of any age, young people are at particular risk.
Anyone can be affected whatever their level in an organisation.
If you’re worried about someone then it’s important to encourage them to seek treatment as quickly as possible to ensure the best chance of recovery.
Families, partners, friends and other carers can play an essential role in the recovery of their loved one
The ‘stages of change’ cycle can be helpful to understand more about where your loved one is in terms of thoughts around behaviour change, and what to expect.
Our free skills workshops help anyone caring for someone in a personal capacity to develop skills to work with their loved one towards recovery.
Caring for someone who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder can feel overwhelming and exhausting. It's important you have your own support network and coping mechanisms.
We support anyone affected by an eating disorder. If someone you know is suffering, and you’re supporting them in any capacity, our services are available to you as well.
Get free telephone support now for friendly, non-judgmental advice regarding supporting someone with an eating disorder.
Beat offers a range of online support services including one-to-one and group chat. Find the one that's right for you here.
This course offers comprehensive eating disorder training for nurses and other professionals with clients within the UK.
Beat run a range of eating disorders skills workshops for parents and carers.
7 June 2021
This booklet is for anyone supporting someone with an eating disorder. It covers information about eating disorders and treatment, and offers guidance on how you might approach the subject.
Eating disorders don’t just affect the person involved but their family and friends too. If you're supporting someone with an eating disorder and want to find out more.
This booklet is for anyone supporting someone with binge eating disorder. It will help you understand more about binge eating disorder.
26 February 2020
My daughter became unwell in her teens with what we now know was OSFED: Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder.
2 April 2018
Sometimes it has felt like no progress is being made, and in the dark times we all feel things will never get better. But looking back over those ten years, I can see Ellen has made some remarkable achievements.
5 June 2023
In this poignant letter to herself, our supporter Sophie shares her story of caring for her child through their anorexia journey