Young people asked to help shape eating disorder services
Young people living with eating disorders and their parents and carers are being asked to share their experiences to help make improvements to services.
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has relaunched its eating disorders forum with the aim of creating a supportive community where those who have been affected by eating disorders can connect, be supported to share their stories and provide valuable feedback.
Lucy North, People Participation Lead for Specialist Services and Norfolk and Waveney Children, Families and Young People Services, said: “Involving young people and carers is essential for creating person-centered, inclusive and effective services. Their lived experience offers unique insights into the challenges and preferences throughout their treatment and recovery. By actively involving them in decision-making, we can ensure that our services are responsive, accessible and supportive of diverse needs and circumstances.”
She said the forum would give people a voice and allow them to make choices and contribute to the betterment of themselves and the services that affect their lives.
“Through involvement, we can foster a greater sense of ownership, trust and collaboration which will lead to meaningful and impactful outcomes for those receiving support from our eating disorder services.”
The forum, which will meet monthly online via Microsoft Teams, 4-5.30pm from 9 April, is open to young people up to the age of 25 whether they have accessed services with NSFT or received support for an eating disorder elsewhere, plus their parents/carers.
It will work on a number of different areas, led by those who attend, which may include development and feedback on projects, co-producing training materials, reviewing and producing service literature.
“By sharing their insights, concerns and suggestions, the young people and their families will help identify areas for improvement, address existing gaps in the service and advocate for changes that prioritise their wellbeing and recovery journey,” said Lucy.
Young people who have been involved in other participation groups have had this to say about taking part:
“Participation has helped me gain confidence, build my self-esteem, learn new IT skills, become more confident about public speaking (which I never thought I could do) and helped me overcome my anxiety.”
“Through participation I have made so many close friends in a very short period of time and knowing we will always support one another has made me feel incredibly lucky to be part of such an amazing group.”
“My experiences of participation have only ever been positive. I have really enjoyed and benefited from working with and talking to professionals and groups to expand and improve ideas that they have bought to participation.”