A new website designed to help young people build a positive relationship with food and their bodies

ELFT has been working with partners, Barnardo’s, ELBA, NELFT and Infused Media, to create a website packed with engaging and accessible resources to support young people with disordered eating.

The eating disorder charity, Beat, says disordered eating – a term used to describe eating difficulties that don’t require a clinical diagnosis – is “becoming more common” and can often be the first signs of someone developing an eating disorder. With eating disorder diagnoses on the rise in the UK, the need to intervene before diagnosis has become a matter of urgency for the NHS.

Be Body Positive seeks to address this issue by providing extra support to young people, parents/carers and health professionals. ELFT clinicians have worked with experts from Barnardo’s and Infused Media to develop the content, ranging from videos and quizzes, to stories and coping strategies. Local young people have played an integral role in the project, from brainstorming the name of the site, to the design.

Sarah Wilson, Director of CAMHS and Chair of the project board said:

“In a digital world where negative and harmful views of body image can be difficult to avoid, Be Body Positive aims to carve out a nourishing and safe space. We hope young people will come to the site and learn how to feel at ease in their bodies.”

Jon Daly, Strategic Programme Lead for Mental Health at Barnardo’s is offering third sector expertise to the project:

“We believe that with the right support, young people can transform their lives. We are thrilled to be working with these partners on a project that will offer practical and emotional support to young people with disordered eating.”

Ian Parkes, CEO of East London Business Alliance said:

“There has been a big increase in the reports of young people struggling with wellbeing and mental health. The earlier we can get reassurance and support to them, the better the outcome. Young people are digital natives, and this new initiative will get support to them in a familiar format. Where young people or their families are digitally excluded – we will try to address that as well”.

The website will launch in early 2023 after a period of testing and evaluation with young people. Keep an eye out for more information.

The NHSX Digital Health Partnerships Award funds this project.