Endeavour - ARFID carer support group

Endeavour

What is Endeavour?

Endeavour is a carer support group for parents/carers of young people aged 5-15, with an ARFID (Avoidance/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) diagnosis and/or displaying ARFID behaviours and presentations.

Endeavour is an 8-week programme, involving 90 minute weekly group sessions delivered by Zoom. You will be sent a pre-reading each week to prepare you for relevant guided discussions and reflections in the carer support group, facilitated by a Beat Programme Officer. The aim of the group is for you to feel supported in a safe space, where you can talk openly about your situation, share your emotions and how you are managing with your young person’s ARFID behaviours.

What is ARFID?

Common ARFID behaviours may include:

• Avoiding or restricting foods based on senses and textures
• Concerns about the consequence of eating
• Anxiety or sensory overload when eating new foods or eating in new environments
• A lack of understanding of hunger/appetite cues
• A lack of interest in food

Who is Endeavour open to?

Endeavour is open to you if:

• Your young person is aged between 5 and 15 at the start of the programme.
• Your young person has ARFID behaviours/presentations (formal diagnosis of ARFID is not essential).
• You are able to commit to the 8-week programme and agree to follow the group guidelines.

Please note up to 2 carers per young person are able to attend the sessions.

If you or your young person has active intent/plans to end their life or are in crisis, Endeavour will not be an appropriate support service for you. If you are experiencing this, we recommend you contact emergency services, your GP, the Samaritans or Papyrus for support.

How can I refer myself and my young person to Endeavour?

If you meet the referral criteria above and think Endeavour would be supportive for you and your young person, you can self refer using our self-referrals form. In some areas a clinician, such as your GP or an eating disorder team, can refer you to Beat directly. We advise you speak to your GP or eating disorder team about this.

How can I contact the Endeavour team?

If you have any questions about the Endeavour programme, you can get in contact via email at help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk. A member of the Endeavour team will get back to you in 5-7 working days.

For more information about the behaviours and presentations of ARFID, please visit Beat’s helpful ARFID webpage.