Blog2024-08-12T13:13:00+00:00

Welcome to our blog!

We are passionate about offering a service and community which is inclusive, empathic, understanding and non-judgmental. We believe that support should be available for all those affected by eating difficulties and disorders regardless of age, race, gender identity, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

These principles of equality and diversity underpin our person-centred, service user led approach to mental health and a big part of the reason we decided to launch our blog space. Here you’ll find First Steps ED updates, as well as stories and features from our community. We want to give everyone an opportunity to share stories, introduce unheard voices and discuss important topics around mental health and eating disorders.

Exercising Without the Eating Disorder

Exercising Without the Eating Disorder The year is 2013, and I'm playing Just Dance for the third time in a day. Because it's the weekend, I haven't walked to school and back, so that means a third session is necessary. That's how I think of exercise

How Gym Culture Affects Eating Disorders

How Gym Culture Affects Eating Disorders I’m sure we are all familiar with being encouraged to ‘get beach body ready’ or to ‘shed those pounds’ at exercise classes. How often do you check your favourite fitness influencers social media page for their meal plans? Or walk

Chasing Aesthetic Gains… Worth the risk?

Chasing Aesthetic Gains… Worth the risk? Going to the gym, lifting weights, getting ‘in shape’; it’s all healthy right? Well, this is a very simplified and loaded assumption. Whilst almost everyone understands that exercise has many health benefits; both physical and mental, what maybe is less

Considerations for the Gym and Eating Disorders

Considerations for the Gym and Eating Disorders In this country there is often a love/hate relationship with the gym.  For some people it is their happy place, where they go to train, to meet friends or to de-stress.  For others it is a place to go

Gym Culture and Eating Disorders: My Story

Gym Culture and Eating Disorders: My Story Introduction: My name is George, I am the founder of MyoMinds, collaborating with First Steps ED this Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The nuances of gym culture, and the effect it has on the people who engage with it, is

This can’t be ignored anymore…

This can't be ignored anymore... On 22nd April, thousands will take to the street to march for every single person affected by an eating disorder.  The increase in people struggling with eating disorders in the last few years is shocking and catastrophic Hope Virgo, founder of

The Impact of Eating Disorders on Fertility

The Impact of Eating Disorders on Fertility From bulimia to binge eating, around 1.25 million British people have an eating disorder (ED). Despite its prevalence, it’s still one of the most misunderstood diseases in the world, with stereotypes and stigmas causing plenty of confusion. Did you

Nurturing them Mental Health of the Next Generation

Nurturing the Mental Health of the Next Generation Can you introduce yourself for our blog? Hi, I’m Vedica – I’m a Mental Health advocate, a trained Mental Health First Aider and suicide gatekeeper. I am very passionate about the cause of Mental Health and in this effect,

BBC Radio Derby for Children’s Mental Health Week!

BBC Radio Derby for Children's Mental Health Week! Tune in to BBC Radio Derby and hear how First Steps ED support children and young people throughout Derbyshire! [Original broadcast: BBC Radio Derby 09/02/2023 with Sally Pepper, Charlotte Peacock and Kevin Parkinson]

Nature Connection and How it Benefits Mental Health

'Nature Connection' and How it Benefits Mental Health The natural world. Something which encircles us daily and is often within touching distance, walking distance or directly within our line of sight. Something so beautiful that many of us take for granted and perhaps don’t wholeheartedly appreciate.

Write for us!

We are proud to support and offer a platform for individuals who are ready to share their stories and talk about their experiences of recovery. Together we can offer hope to lives affected by eating disorders. If you have something to say, a story to tell or advice to share, you are in the right place.

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