Together we recover.

At First Steps ED, we listen closely to the people we support and their families to make sure the services we offer truly meet their needs. Our four-week workshops and support groups are designed to help participants learn new skills, understand their behaviors, and find ways to manage triggers and cope better during recovery. These workshops can be a lifeline for anyone struggling with eating problems, providing much-needed support and practical tools to aid in their journey to recovery.

Body Image Workshop 

Body dissatisfaction is a risk factor for (and a common symptom of) eating disorders, as well as a risk factor for other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Our ‘Understanding Body Image’ workshop series is designed to be a dynamic service, offering psycho-education around body and mood within a positive peer group environment. 

Boys and Men Workshop

Our Boys and Men Workshop provides a safe space to explore body image, mental health, and eating disorders in males, challenging societal norms and pressures. Topics include the impact of social media, masculinity expectations, and the role of body image in a man’s identity, as well as gym culture, orthorexia, perfectionism, and binge eating.

Through discussions on coping strategies and goal setting, participants will gain practical tools to develop a healthier mindset and self-image. This workshop is ideal for individuals, schools, workplaces, and community groups looking to raise awareness and create positive conversations about male body image

ARFID Support Workshop

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a serious disorder which can be difficult to damage. It recently became a diagnosable disorder, but support is still limited.

Our research-informed ARFID workshop has been developed by those with lived experience to offer information and tools to help manage symptoms and eating difficulties.

Binge Eating Workshop

Stigma and misinformation can often prevent individuals from accessing the support they need, not helped by a lack of services available to those struggling with BED.

Our workshop offers information to help identify triggers and navigate difficult situations. Facilitated by individuals with lived experience of binge eating disorder.

Young Person’s Wellbeing Workshop

A workshop designed by and for our young service users who want to gain a greater insight into their behaviours, body image and managing recovery.

Each group offers a positive peer group environment, where individuals can share their own experiences. By the end of the four sessions, attendees will have gained new tools and coping mechanisms which can help them manage difficult situations and any setbacks within recovery.

Finding Peace with Food Workshop

There is a lot of information out there which discusses nutrition, making it difficult to understand what is true.

Working with experts and nutritionists, we have developed a four-week workshop which offers evidence-based information to help us learn how to navigate diet culture and misinformation. The course also explores ways to cope in challenging situations such as mealtimes, spontaneity with friends and challenging disordered thoughts.

“It wasn’t until my late 30s that a mental health nurse identified I had an Eating Disorder and referred to First Steps for support. I did not think you can help an ED when you were overweight… First Steps supported me in identifying and accepting I have an ED, which was very hard for me.”

Anonymous

“I wish First Steps had more funding because your service has changed my life and has been the only place I had help because with other services including the NHS I was never eligible or met the right criteria for help.”

Anonymous

“Not sure where I would be without this service. They were the only service who opened their doors when I needed help and didn’t need me to tick any boxes to receive their support. I really hope they keep finding the funds and people they need to keep going and growing.”

Anonymous

“It’s hugely comforting to me to know that in between other appointments I have First Steps groups or 1-2-1s to bridge the gaps. Whilst it’s mainly groups I access most, I have also benefitted from their counselling services, online befriending and hypnotherapy over the years.”

Anonymous

“First Steps made me feel welcome to their charity and made the transition as easy and painless as they could in dealing with the fact that I have an ED. Especially in a society that judges larger or thinner people when they don’t understand what it is like and think EDs are an excuse to eat or not eat and get attention.”

Anonymous

“First Steps’ student service is an absolutely essential service which kept me going this year. NHS services are harder and harder to access and this fills a massive gap”

Anonymous
MAKE A REFERRAL HERE

Referrals can either be made by yourself, by a parent/carer, or professional. After making a referral, we aim to make contact within 10 workings days.

Private practice bookings are £45. All bookings are made in the strictest confidence and available to anyone (over the age of 16) who is currently impacted by any eating disorder, or symptoms of an eating disorder, including an individual sufferer, family member or carer. If you are referring into our private counselling service please let us know in the form.