SharED
Please note, SharED is currently only available for young people within Scotland and Essex. We are always hoping to extend our services and so if you live outside these areas, please do still register your interest below so we can keep you updated.
About SharED
SharED is a free email support service that matches volunteers, who have recovered from their own eating disorder, with young people who are currently struggling with an eating disorder.
Not having someone to talk to regularly about the difficulties and challenges of an eating disorder can be lonely and isolating. By being able to speak to our Beat befrienders, we are hoping that this service will reduce isolation experienced by those affected by an eating disorder. With our befrienders having personal experience of eating disorders, we are also hopeful that this service will increase confidence that recovery is possible.
Our volunteer befrienders have been trained by Beat, and will provide one-to-one online peer support in the form of 1-3 emails per week. Beat’s befrienders are volunteers who have recovered from their own eating disorder and are aged between 18 – 35 years old. The role of a befriender isn’t to tell you what to do or to give direct advice, but rather to offer a listening ear, provide encouragement and signpost to other services that might be helpful during your journey. Our volunteers are not medically trained and so cannot give medical advice. This service should not be in replacement of professional support.
Emails will be sent/received via our central email address and will be moderated by Beat staff, as everyone’s safety is our priority. Emails will remain confidential unless we believe someone is at risk of significant harm. Emails will remain confidential unless we believe someone is at risk of significant harm. You can find out more about when we might break confidentiality in our confidentiality statement.
Am I eligible to receive peer support?
- I am a young person with an eating disorder in Scotland or Essex, who is aged between 12 – 25 years old
Commitment Required
The maximum length of time that someone can receive this support is 6 months, however you can end email support whenever feels right for you before this time. To be actively engaged with the service, we ask that you send at least one email a week onto your befriender. If this is something you feel able to commit to, please register your interest.
Applications and Information
If you are interested in receiving online peer support, simply click the button below.
For more information, get in touch at shared@beateatingdisorders.org.uk.