2025 marked a significant milestone with the launch of our new strategy, logo, and refreshed brand identity. We continue to support thousands of people of all ages across the UK affected by eating disorders, and we’re working hard to grow our reach, so that no one has to face an eating disorder alone.

We celebrated our 20th anniversary as a charity supporting those affected by eating disorders, celebrating the amazing work of our team and the journeys of our service users.

Our new CEO, Daniel Magson joined the team and began work on new developments to make First Steps ED the leading all-ages eating disorder charity in the UK.

In July 2023, First Steps ED took on Talk ED (formerly Anorexia & Bulimia Care) as the charity faced closure due to financial challenges. By merging the two organisations, we safeguarded Talk ED’s legacy and broadened our national reach ensuring that vital support, resources, and awareness work could continue for those affected by eating disorders across the UK.

Our trailblazing ARFID pathway was launched, providing tailored support for individuals experiencing Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. This innovative service bridges a critical gap in care, offering early intervention, personalised strategies, and multidisciplinary guidance to help those affected regain confidence and a healthier relationship with food.

Our Founder, Cathy, took a step back from First Steps and collected a lifetime achievement award at the Midlands Business, Community and Charity Sector Awards and received her MBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List.

We appointed our first Chief Executive Officer and became First Steps ED, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (1185092), following endorsement from our members at the 2018/19 Annual General Meeting.

Our Volunteer services were once again recognised, winning the East Midlands Charity Awards Volunteer Team of the Year, and our staff and NHS Derbyshire Eating Disorders colleagues collected a Special Recognition Award in the National 3rd Sector Care Awards for our Integrated Community Services.

Significant achievements for First Steps which included the PQASSO Gold Standard, the GSK IMPACT Award through The Kings Fund, a prestigious Health Service Journal (HSJ) Value Award in the ‘Supported Self Care’ category.

Our volunteer-led Online Befriending service was recognised by the sponsor, NHS England, Integrated Personal Commissioning national team as ‘a wonderful, inspiring example of a truly person-centred service that complements local NHS services and that demonstrably transforms people’s lives’.

First Steps was awarded The Queens Award for Voluntary Services. This is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK and is to recognise the outstanding work done in their own communities. It is classed as the MBE for volunteer groups.

First Steps expanded its services by securing contracts across the Midlands and Home Counties.

First Steps achieved the PQASSO Quality Mark which is the National Community Voluntary Organisations Trusted Charity quality assurance framework.

We began to offer CPD accredited training to professionals working in the NHS, schools, and counsellors working in health and private practice.

First Steps was awarded a three-year grant from the Volunteering England Fund.

The growth of First Steps during this time led us to find a larger space to operate. We moved to Osmaston Road in Derby, which allowed specific support for up to 20 young people per year and a range of complementary therapies for up to 25 people per year, provided by students on placements from the University of Derby.

Our volunteer numbers increased from 5 to 24.

We were then sub-contracted by NHS Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust to provide Integrated Community Support.

BBC Children in Need awarded First Steps its first “substantial” grant.