SWEDA Stories
SWEDA story posts may sometimes contain information or descriptions that might be upsetting if you are someone who is affected by eating or mental health problems. If you think this might apply to you, please proceed with care.
For our 2025-26 survey, we spoke to young people in and around our local community. Who do they turn to when things feel difficult? What kind of support really works for them?... For Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Sally shares her story of what it was like to open up to friends about her history of disordered eating. She wants to offer hope for anybody feeling uncertain about reaching out: “I’ve poured my heart and soul into the piece hoping it might help pull someone else out of the fire.”... Our Impact Report for 2024/25 has arrived. It highlights the difference we've made – and why it matters.... For one week only, Acorn Solicitors are offering appointments to write free Wills for supporters of SWEDA who are willing to donate in lieu of a fee to the solicitors.... Mark and Emma raised £5,375 for SWEDA on the Camino de Santiago. Read about their journey here.... In this video, a young person shares how working 1-2-1 with a SWEDA therapist made a huge difference to their recovery journey.... Listen here: CEO Paula talks about a new campaign for health justice for eating disorders.... One of our former clients wanted to share their story of getting through the Christmas period, and how they reached out to SWEDA for support.... SWEDA has launched a Christmas appeal to support people living with eating disorders during and after the holiday season.... Sue, our team lead for all things Bristol and beyond, tells us about SWEDA’s work in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.... Meet the SWEDA Team: Lisa, one of our Bristol Therapeutic Support Workers, shares her story of supporting a loved one who was living with an eating disorder.... Kat shares her story about what inspired her to start working with SWEDA.... Zoe, one of our Children and Young People's Therapists, tells us about what a counselling session for young people looks like.... No content warnings. I started off my professional journey with SWEDA over a year ago. I was (and still am) a very proud counselling volunteer supporting adults with their issues around food, body image and relationship with themselves. There are many life lessons, humbling moments, and connections I took away with me during this special time.... Content warning: binge eating, exercise. During this uncertain time it’s very hard time for everybody. The sudden effects of lockdown and losing routine is hard for everyone, but it can be particularly challenging for people with mental health issues and eating disorders.... Content warning: restrictive eating. In 2011 I was discharged from the community eating disorders team and vowed 'never again.' After several relapses of Anorexia since 1985, I was determined this was the last time. I was educated, had a good understanding of the illness and a supportive network.... SWEDA’s CEO Paula Blight talks in-depth about the challenges of running one of the largest eating disorder charities and why regional charities have never been so ‘needed’.... Content warning: binge eating, body image, exercise, restrictive eating. In recovery, it’s so important to recognise who you are! Rather than being led by my eating disorder. In my years of recovery, I’ve realised I don’t need to run around filling my day with disorder rituals and looking after everyone else. I deserve to look after me and it’s taken me five years to discover myself.... Content warning: restrictive eating, exercise, body image, mention of suicide. Reflecting on my struggles with food and body image, I starkly realised that I had not shared this with anyone before and yet it had ‘controlled’ my life for 15 years. Recently, I was reminded why I kept it ‘locked away’.
Someone asked me what I was writing:
“A blog” I said.... Content warning: body image.
Clinical Lead Nerissa Shaw considers the implications of the National Child Measurement Programme and the negative impact this can have on the next generation.... Content warning: restrictive eating, body image, exercise. What they didn’t know was that between the ages of 17 to 19 I struggled with Bulimia. I say Bulimia, though I never went to the doctors to be formally diagnosed, I found myself consumed in a state of wanting to be skinny, feeling that everything was out of control - Nan dying who I was very close with, failing an A level... Content warning: abuse, restrictive eating, exercise, body image. In this SWEDA View blog post, Clinical Lead Nerissa Shaw considers the damning evidence about abuse in Gymnastics.... No content warnings. Helping people with mental health problems is something that means a lot to me as I have experienced problems with my own mental health. Having had experience with eating problems,... Content warning: body image, restrictive eating, purging, exercise. I was 14 maybe 15 when I fully started becoming aware of my body. I had started puberty prior to that, but it was at this young age that I really started to feel like I was over weight. I wasn’t of course, and I perhaps carried a little bit of “puppy fat”, but I was by no means fat.... Content warning: drug addiction. What does my drug addiction say to the world? It says I need to escape my trauma. I need an easy button that catapults me out of my body into a numbed state of existence.... Content warning: restrictive eating, body image, self-harm, binge eating. Through my studies I had some awareness of how the body worked, so I strategised very well about how I could take away as much as I could from my body in terms of nourishment whilst still functioning.... Content warning: self-harm, body image, restrictive eating, binge eating. To me, it feels fair to say that I can’t remember ever feeling comfortable in my skin as a child.
...We asked young people about who they turn to for help. Here’s what we learned.
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"Even the strongest need support" - Sally's Story
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Our Impact in 2024-25
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Write a will with real impact
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Mark & Emma walk the Camino for SWEDA
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“I am my own saviour.” Watch Jessica’s story
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"One of the largest treatment gaps in healthcare."
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Living with an ED at Christmas: a young client's story
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SWEDA Offers People Living with an Eating Disorder Strategies for Coping with the Holiday Season
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Meet the Bristol team: Sue
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Meet the Bristol team: Lisa's story
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Meet the Bristol team: Kat
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Meet the team: Zoe
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Not simply A to B, but the in between
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Lockdown and my eating disorder challenge
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If at first you don't succeed
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The Future and Why Eating Disorders Charities are so Special
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This is ME!
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Jude's Story
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The SWEDA View: The National Child Measurement Programme: A Weighty Issue
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Let's stop the stigma
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The SWEDA View - The Gymnastics Scandal: Young Sportspeople and Eating Disorders
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John's Story - Part Three
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My Bulimia Story
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How do I speak the Truth through my eating disorder and prescription substance abuse
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John's Story - Part Two
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John's Story - Part One
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