We’re excited to announce that Beat has received funding to organise and facilitate Wales's first Eating Disorder Lived Experience Panel. The project will run from September 2026 – August 2027.
The panel will bring together people with lived experience of eating disorders from across Wales to bring invaluable insight into what effective support looks like in practice.
Over a course of six meetings, the panel will work alongside Beat stakeholders such as statutory services, the Welsh Government, and Health Education and Improvement Wales to inform eating disorder policy, shape improvements to NHS services, advise on eating disorder resources, and guide the development of Beat's own services and training.
Expected outcomes of the panel’s input include:
Influence real change - Your experiences and ideas will help shape how eating disorder services and research improve across Wales. In turn, you will help improve the lives of those affected by eating disorders.
Build valuable skills - Develop confidence, communication, teamwork and leadership skills through co-production and collaboration.
Grow your network - Connect with other people with lived experience, researchers and clinicians who value your perspective.
By joining the project, you will also receive:
We are looking for up to 15 people with lived experience of having an eating disorder, based in Wales.
All participants must meet our wellbeing criteria below:
We want to make sure that our advisory boards are fully representative of the diverse communities across the U.K., and so we are particularly keen to hear from people from people who identify with any of the following:
As with all our work, we are also committed to representing the full range of eating disorders, including the ‘lesser known’ ones. This includes anyone who may not have a formal diagnosis, and inclusive of both long- and short-term eating disorder experiences.
As part of the advisory board, you would meet with fellow members as part of a group of up to 15 people.
There will be 6 meetings between January 27 and August 27. All meetings will be held via Zoom.
Beat staff will facilitate meetings and there will also be dedicated staff available to provide any support needed. Beat staff will also be available for support before and after meetings.
Beat want to acknowledge the valuable expertise those with lived experience will bring to this project, so all board members will be paid for the time they contribute. Payment for participation in sessions will be £27.50 per hour in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) benchmark: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/payment-guidance-for-members-of-the-public-considering-involvement-in-research/27372#citizens-advice-bureau-cab
If you would like to become an advisory board member on the Wales Lived Experience Panel, we would like to invite you to join us at an online information session.
Our information session will be a chance for you to find out more about the advisory board, what will be involved, support available, meet staff members you would be working with and ask any questions you may have!
We will be having our online information session on:
To register for an information session please complete our sign-up form below.
If you cannot attend an information session but would like to know more about the project, please contact Beat’s Participation and Involvement team at involvement@beateatingdisorders.org.uk.