Befriending
Our befriending service provides regular, long-term peer support connecting adults who are currently recovering from an eating disorder or eating distress with trained volunteer befrienders who have recovered.
How befriending works
When you are trying to recover from an eating disorder it’s often hard to believe that you will ever get through it. The negative feelings and disordered thought patterns are difficult to challenge, and you might feel that they will always be there. Whilst support from family and friends is an important part of recovery, sometimes it can feel difficult to share the challenges you’re experiencing with those close to you. At times like this it can be really helpful to be able to talk to someone who truly knows what it’s like to be working towards recovery.
A befriender can support your journey by:
- offering real hope and encouragement from a place of empathy and understanding
- providing practical guidance and coping strategies to manage fear and anxieties related to food and eating
- helping you to make small, positive changes towards recovery, including eating well again
You’ll work together at your own pace on several agreed goals around self-esteem, isolation, food and eating, to measure the progress you are making.
Apply for a befriender
Make a referral today via our online form, and one of our team will get in touch to book you in for an assessment.
Q&A with a Talk ED Befriender
Sarah’s Story: How befriending helped me during my recovery from bulimia
Are you worried that you, or a loved one may have an eating disorder? Our Peer Support Team have lived experiences of eating disorders and recovery.
To talk to someone who understands, book a 1:1 support call, we’re here to help.
