Request a Lived Experience Volunteer Talk

Who are lived experience Volunteers?

Our Lived Experience Volunteers are a group of diverse individuals that share their story to bring hope and inspiration to those affected by eating disorders. They educate those that work with those with eating disorders and have a key role in outreach to communities and professions that do not currently access Beat support. These volunteers support people to feel connected to Beat’s purpose and inspire listeners to take action to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.

Who can we support?

• Healthcare professionals that work directly with those with eating disorders including medical students

How can Lived Experience Volunteers support?

Lived Experience Volunteers share their lived experience of eating disorders to show that recovery is possible. Each engagement is different and so it is crucial that you as the organiser have a chat with the volunteer before the engagement to find out the needs of the audience so that this can be tailored.

What lived experience Volunteers do not do:

• Give talks to school students – for support as a staff member please see our SPOT training
• Offer any medical advice
• Share numbers around weight, exercise amount, details of food/diet
• Share specific details about their treatment
• Answer questions that may make the volunteer feel uncomfortable

Steps to requesting a volunteer’s support

Complete the booking form at the bottom of this page with as much detail as possible about the event so that we can check whether support is feasible. Please give at least 6-8 weeks’ notice before the event will take place.

What we ask of you?

It is your responsibility to arrange the following before a talk takes place:

• Arrange a chat with the volunteer(s) before the meeting
• Send the volunteer all the relevant information
• Ensure that feedback is given after the talk has been completed