Beat provide support services for anyone affected by an eating disorder, including those caring for somebody. Their services are available to anyone, including phone and email Helplines and one-to-one webchat, open every day from 9am – 8pm on weekdays and 4pm – 8pm on weekends and bank holidays. They run anonymous online support groups for different diagnoses, for carers and a general daily group for anyone with an eating disorder.
They also offer a number of telephone-based guided self-help and coaching services, as well as online training for those caring for people with eating disorders, both personally and professionally.
What can I expect from Beat’s services?
We offer a supportive and non-judgemental space for all those affected by eating disorders. If you use our email or telephone Helplines or one-to-one webchat, you can share anything you might be going through and our advisors are trained to provide advice about your next steps and a listening ear.
Our online support groups are anonymous, moderated spaces where you can talk with others who have similar experiences to you, either around a topic offered by Beat or as a free chat.
If you join any of our guided self-help or coaching services, you’ll work one-on-one with an advisor over a set time period, usually via weekly calls of around half an hour.
Tell me more about your specific services?
We offer a supportive and non-judgemental space for all those affected by eating disorders. If you use our email or telephone Helplines or one-to-one webchat, you can share anything you might be going through and our advisors are trained to provide advice about your next steps and a listening ear.
Nexus
Nexus is a telephone-based coaching service for anyone caring for someone with an eating disorder. Nexus allows you to connect each week for 12 weeks with a trained Beat advisor, who’ll provide you with a place to talk through what you’re going through and empower you to help your loved one towards positive change. The aim isn’t to tell you what you should be doing, but for you and your assigned advisor to develop a safe, confidential and supportive space where your advisor will act as a sounding board, guiding you to finding your own solutions as well as offering practical techniques to help motivate positive change in your loved one.
Solace
Solace, a free video-based support group hosted weekly for anyone supporting somebody with an eating disorder. It gives you the opportunity to share your feelings and get support from others in a similar situation. Solace runs over an eight-week period and during this time your Solace facilitator will offer guidance and support around themes of self-care, feelings, and boundaries.
Raising Resilience
Raising Resilience, a series of online workshops for carers that take place live over Zoom. Along with others caring for someone with an eating disorder, you’ll learn new skills from an experienced eating disorder clinician. There are five workshops in total, which cover motivational techniques to help with recovery, setting boundaries, and how to support your loved one during mealtimes and at each stage of their recovery. The final workshop gives you a chance to meet again with your group, discuss any progress and ask any questions you might have.
How long can a person receive support for?
There is no limit to how often you can use Beat’s Helplines, one-to-one webchat, or online support groups. Some services are designed to run over a set time period – depending on the service, this is about eight to twelve weeks.
Are there any waitlists?
There are no waitlists for our phone and email helplines, one-to-one webchat, or online support groups, although sometimes when our lines are busy you may have to wait longer to get through to an advisor. For some of our services, including Solace, and Raising Resilience, there are limited places available, and pre-booking is necessary. If you would like to sign up to Nexus, we ask that you register your interest and we will discuss your circumstances with you to work out if the service is right for you before offering you a place.
Do I have to pay?
All of Beat’s services are free to users.
How do I get involved in your services?
Visit this section of our website to learn more about the services Beat offers.
