A UNIQUE approach to empowering sufferers of eating disorders, and carers, has launched with a successful friendship lunch in Suffolk.
The ‘Heal Kitchen’ initiative is part of a number of proactive support solutions and educational activities offered by social enterprise, Wednesday’s Child.
At the first event, staged at Honey + Harvey in Melton, those in recovery, and those seeking to support another’s health journey, were able to share stories and experiences, take part in a food demonstration, and enjoy a carefully considered lunch together.
It is one of a series of such lunches and suppers which will now be available across East Anglia.
Josie Buck, also known as The Mindful Cook, led the practical food preparation workshop and says such events are an innovative way of tackling a significant problem among both adults and young people.
“Sadly, there’s something of a crisis around incidence of eating disorders in today’s world, and only very limited amounts of treatment options and access,” she said.
“It’s therefore really important that enterprises like Wednesday’s Child are not only opening up the conversation on a relatively stigmatised issue but that they’re helping individuals and families find new ways of healing themselves or improving the way their illness is tackled.
“The Heal Kitchen is very much about provision of a safe place, in which experiences can be shared and friendships can be created, and I’m delighted that I’m able to bring my Mindful Cook approach to these events in such a gentle and yet proactive way.”
Wednesday’s Child’s lunches and suppers each feature a meal, talk, and demonstration, and are held in small spaces which are only accessible to those attending the event.
The social enterprise is now looking for more venues throughout the region, and for specialists in eating disorders or nutrition who may wish to join the event team.
Debbie Watson, who founded the organisation after two decades of a recovery journey for anorexia, said: “One of the biggest goals of Wednesday’s Child is to help families, individuals and care groups to identify other ways in which they can aid a person on a healthy road to recovery.
“Our Heal Kitchen scenario is very much a part of that. We’re bringing food and dining into play in a way which is engaging, joyful and educational, to help combat some of that unhelpful eating disorder dialogue which someone might be experiencing.”
She added: “Our first event has clearly evidenced what a positive impact we can have on the lives of those battling this devastating illness, and on those who want so much to help someone in their care.
“Now we’re looking to expand our team, and would welcome conversations with other specialists and facilitators who, like Josie, really ‘get’ what we’re doing and want to help us stage these events across the length and breadth of the region.”
Wednesday’s Child has a number of protocols, educational resources and workshop models available for schools, families and organisations. Training can be held for corporate groups, charities or educational bodies, either as a series of modules, or an intensive day. For more information about Wednesday’s Child, to collaborate, or to commission awareness training for staff teams, please visit www.wednesdayschild.co.uk or email debbie@wednesdayschild.co.uk
