Experts by experience

Make a difference as an Expert by experience

What is an expert by experience?

As an expert by experience (EBE), you bring your own, unique lived experience of eating disorders, using eating disorder services, or supporting someone with an eating disorder to contribute towards a co-production project to ensure the voices of service users, carers & families are heard.

One of my favourite things about this role, besides knowing that it will help people, is the sense of community created and the platform for our voices to be heard. I felt so empowered sharing my story and hearing my fellow volunteers share theirs. It was a privilege to be so trusted. This experience helped us all to feel that we have never been and never will be alone.

– Expert by Experience

There are many things that an EBE does within a project, such as:

Use lived experience in a positive way to make positive changes
Contribute ideas, suggestions & actively take part in decision making.
Be mindful and respectful of other people’s experiences and viewpoints, recognising that each panel member’s experience is valid and welcomed
Complete any allocated tasks, including reading necessary information, and contribute to group actions
Ensure communication is honest and open
Challenge assertively and respectfully where appropriate, being mindful and considerate of other people’s feelings
Ensure that you uphold principles of equality, diversity and being inclusive
Asking for help if required and seeking support to ensure your wellbeing from appropriate Beat members of staff

Benefits of being an EBE

Becoming an EBE is an exciting opportunity to make positive change to eating disorders treatment, care, prevention and support across the UK!

By becoming a member, you will receive:

Training sessions delivered by Beat on becoming a panel member
A chance to make a real positive difference in the lives of others living with eating disorders
Regular meetings & ongoing clinical support
Opportunities for training and development, to improve/develop new skills
Opportunities to meet and network with other people with lived experience of eating disorders
Payment for the time you contribute towards taking part in a panel

Current opportunities

What does being an Expert by Experience Look Like?

We know it can be overwhelming to start a new role as an Expert by Experience (EBE), and it can be difficult to know what to expect. That's why we've put together the EBE roadmaps, which provide an outline of the journey you will go on as an EBE and the support you will receive from us to take part in co-production projects. Scroll down to explore the three roadmaps covering the overall EBE journey, the recruitment process, and what happens during panel meetings

Experts By Experience Roadmaps

Your EBE Journey

Never heard of 'EBE'? This roadmap gives you a clear overview of what being an Expert by Experience at Beat involves, taking you through each stage from recruitment right through to the end of a project.

Find more about the EBE journey

Your Journey to Becoming an EBE

Want to know how recruitment works? This roadmap walks you through the full recruitment process, so you know exactly what to expect on your journey to becoming an EBE.

Find out more about our recruitment process

Your Wellbeing Support as an EBE

Want to know how we'll support you as an EBE? This roadmap walks you through all the ways we look after your wellbeing before, during and after every panel meeting.

Find out more about how we will support you as an EBE

ANCORRA (Anorexia Nervosa: Comparison of Refeeding Rates in Adults) project

Researchers from Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and University of Sheffield are looking into refeeding for those with anorexia.

Find out more about the ANCORRA study