LENS: Lived Experience Narratives and Scenarios of Eating Disorders

Name of researchers: Sneha Raman, Fiona Stephens, Tara French

Affiliations: Glasgow School of Art, School of Innovation and Technology; EDIFY

Email address: f.stephens@gsa.ac.uk

Who can take part?

If you are aged 16-25 and have experience of eating disorder(s) or experienced eating disorder behaviours, whether you have a diagnosis or not.

We are keen to hear from young people with different experiences. You may relate to one or more of these:

• Have you ever been worried about money, experience poverty or been impacted by the rising cost of living?
• Do you identify as culturally or ethnically diverse?
• Have you or do you live in a rural area?
• Do you feel your gender isn’t represented in conversations about eating disorders?

What is the purpose of the research?

The LENS project is part of a Lived Experience workstream on the EDIFY programme of research. This work stream aims to understand young people’s experiences of eating disorders and raise awareness of the diverse experiences, to foster a more inclusive and less stigmatised narrative.

Sharing your experience will make a valuable contribution to shaping a better understanding of eating disorders and ways in which support for young people can be improved in the future.

What does the study involve?

We are organising two sessions, and you can choose to take part in one or both of these:

1. One to one interview (in person or online) – working with two researchers who will support you to share your individual experience. This will help us to capture the unique experiences of young people who are experiencing or have experienced eating disorders and learn about individual experiences of seeking help and access to support. We also want to learn about any impact ethnicity, living rurally, resource insecurity or being LGBTQ+ may have on young people’s experiences of eating disorders.
2. Group workshop (online) – working with other young people, researchers and Youth Advisors working on LENS to co-design ideas and recommendations for improving experiences of accessing care and support.

Before taking part, we will invite you to complete a ‘Participation Passport’ to help us understand how your experiences relate to the project; how we can best support you to participate; and how you would like to share your experience.

How can someone take part?

You can choose to take part either online or in person for the interview. The group workshop will take place online only.

If you are interested in taking part in the LENS study, please email Fiona Stephens from the Glasgow School of Art. Her email address is f.stephens@gsa.ac.uk.