Monday 23 February – Sunday 1 March 2015

The annual Eating Disorders Awareness Week runs from 23 February to 1 March and is focused on increasing people’s knowledge and understanding of eating disorders.

  • It is estimated that 1.6 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder
  • The number of people admitted to hospital with an eating disorder has risen by 8% in the last year
  • Both males and females can experience an eating disorder at any age however it is most likely to begin between the ages of 14-25

Beat are encouraging people to get together with work colleagues, friends or family to fundraise to help them support people affected by eating disorders and their families, friends and carers.  This year they will again be running their ‘Sock it to Eating Disorders’ fundraising event, where they ask the nation to put on silly socks and donate £1 to Beat.

There are a large number of local and national specialist services providing invaluable information, advice and support to people affected by eating disorders (and to those around them) and other difficulties associated with food, weight or shape.

  • SYEDA is a registered charity supporting those affected by eating disorders in South Yorkshire.

SYEDA run a support group called BiteBack for students at both Universities who have an eating disorder. The sessions offer free support, information and a safe confidential space to share your experiences. Sessions are delivered from both Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield and students from both universities can attend either group. You can find details of the sessions here.

At Collegiate Campus, these sessions are held on the third Wednesday of every month from 6pm – 7.30pm in Heart of the Campus, Room HC.0.17.

Bite Back also offer a confidential drop-in service for all students and staff who need some advice or are worried about someone else. These take place from 3pm – 5pm on the second Monday of the month at the Students’ Union Advice Centre at the University of Sheffield (all Sheffield students welcome).

Below you will find some further sources of information, support and advice:

  • B-eat is a national organisation providing helplines, online support and details of local self-help groups
  • The NHS website provides information about eating disorders and details sources of support and advice

Biteback