We aim to empower you to be in control of your recovery through one-to-one professional and group support and inclusion in positive activities.


If you’re ready to take the first step towards recovery, please submit a referral using the button below. If you have any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to visit our contact page and speak to a member of our team. We’re here to support you every step of the way. Referrals can either be made by yourself, by a parent/ carer, or professional support worker. After making a referral, we aim to make contact within 10 workings days.

Please note: Due to staff shortages during the festive period, it may take up to 15 working days for us to contact you after receiving your referral. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Who shouldn’t have a referral?

Children under the age of 5 are not appropriate for First Steps ED services, or people with feeding problems such as diagnosed phobias or PICA.

If you think you or your child may be struggling with something like this then it is recommended that you visit your GP. More information can be found on the NHS website.

Before you make a referral, or whilst you wait for an initial assessment we advise you to make an appointment with your general practitioner (GP).

Your GP can play an important part in identifying your eating disorder and refer you for treatment to a NHS specialist eating disorder service. If your GP doesn’t refer you, keep trying and ask to see a different GP. What you are feeling is valid so please don’t see this as a sign that you don’t deserve treatment.

Beat has put together their GP Leaflet (First Steps), a resource for anyone visiting the GP for the first time, designed to help someone get a referral from their GP to an eating disorders specialist.

Once you have made your referral the team will aim to get back to you within 10 days where you will be invited to a one-to-one informal discussion. You do not need to call us during this time, we will get back to you as soon as we can.

We will make an assessment and recommend an individualised care plan with you, as well as signposting to other agencies, where appropriate.

Please note: we are not a clinical service so please do make an appointment to see your GP whilst you wait to hear from us.

Make a Referral

“Thank you for the workshop yesterday. I’ve suffered with my eating disorder for a long time and your session really resonated with me and was so incredibly helpful.”

Workshop Attendee, Pip's Place: Next Steps

“Nobody wants to see their child struggle and without the support of First Steps, we would still be faced with a huge lack of support and endless waiting lists.”

A Grateful Parent, Skills for Carers

“The psychotherapy I received from First Steps truly saved me. I was convinced that I would be stuck in the same cycles forever. It’s given me a totally different outlook on life I never thought I could’ve had and I can now say that I’m actually looking forward to a future where I’m free.”

Service User, Private Practice

“Overall an extremely valuable and informative service. I like the understanding that you are not alone, about the ED voice and how best to approach the issue with my daughter.”

A Grateful Parent, Skills for Carers

“I am very glad that I attended the Finding Peace With Food workshop, I just wish that I had been given this information years ago. I have now stopped binge eating and have lost a stone within a couple of weeks just from eating properly. This is great because I recently had a hernia operation and they were concerned that it may not work or fail due to my weight. Anyway, I am really embracing this new approach and hope it is a new way of life for me!”

Workshop Attendee, Finding Peace with Food

“If you get the chance to try this format of helping you with your ARFID, I thoroughly recommend it. You will add something to your diet using this method and as you gain confidence, the sky’s the limit!”

Adam, ARFID 1:1 Support