Eating disorders team opens doors for public to find out more
Staff from the eating disorders service, who work for Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT), have organised an awareness event to help promote the invaluable work they do in caring for people battling a variety of conditions, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
The team is inviting members of the public, GPs and other healthcare providers to come along and discover more about the service in general.
Building on from previous open days, Heather Killick, Team Coordinator for LPFT's Eating Disorders Service said she wanted to further spread the word about the help and support her staff can offer the people of Lincolnshire.
"There's been a lot of media attention around eating disorders and body image recently but I don't think a lot of people are aware of the service in Lincolnshire," she said.
“This day is really about getting people to make that first brave step in getting help, or perhaps someone has concerns about a loved one’s eating habits and thinks they might have an eating disorder.
“If so they can come along, have an informal chat and see what we can do to help.”
Heather said the event is also an opportunity for the service to tell people about the success of its current ‘day programme’, which runs three days a week.
The programme, now in its sixth year, offers more intensive support for people suffering from eating disorders, helping to prevent the need for hospital treatment, promoting earlier discharge from a hospital and keeping them closer to home. It is based at the St George’s site in Lincoln.
Heather added: "The day programme is crucial because it allows people to access treatment nearer to home at a more intensive level, encourages peer support and teaches them to develop new coping skills rather than through the use of food.”
During the eating disorders event there will be an opportunity to hear stories form people who live with eating disorders, detailing the help and support they have received, in addition to browsing a variety of stands promoting other Trust services. Carers and family members of people suffering with eating disorders will be also available on hand to share their experience of supporting their loved ones.
LPFT’s event will take place on Saturday 15 June from 11am to 4pm at the Lincoln City Football Club, Legends Lounge, Sincil Bank Stadium, Lincoln LN5 8LD. There’s no need to book, members of the public and professionals can drop in any time. There will be light refreshments available.
