©InfoWinners of the 2009 Humanitarian Citizen Award for a group, the beat ambassadors from Norwich have made their struggle with eating disorders into something positive by using their experiences to help others, inspire hope and initiate change.
The group – who have all recovered, or are in recovery, from an eating disorder – do all they can to make life easier for other sufferers. They help show them the path to recovery, improve that path by educating the people who make it, and work to reduce stigma in the media and among the public.
They do this by speaking and holding workshops at local and national conferences, talking to national and local media, taking part in research and helping create resources for young people. They have even helped change legislation by making the government better understand what it’s like to have an eating disorder.
Making an impact
A spokesperson from beat, the charity that trains the young ambassadors, said: "We know that when our ambassadors share their experiences, people listen. Young people listen, healthcare providers listen and government ministers listen."
This was proven when Ann Keen, parliamentary under-secretary for healthcare services, heard the ambassadors speak at a conference. She said:
"They’ve said it all. My text would be foolish. I would feel silly to give it now. What you said was so profound and shocking and dreadful and encouraging. It must have taken great courage to say it. Thank you."
Small differences, big change
On a more local level the ambassadors have changed the way health professionals treat people with eating disorders by explaining to them how the smallest of differences in practice can help so much – for example weighing the patient first so that they can fully engage in therapy without the concern about being weighed afterwards.
Rachel, a beat ambassador, summed it up. She said:
"I love being an ambassador because I’m producing something positive out of my evil anorexia and the past three awful years. Working with beat gives me a purpose in life. I want to help other sufferers and try to make people understand my illness and other eating disorders.
"I’ve had the opportunity to do amazing things – speak at House of Commons and meet with my local MP and journalists. I’m starting to be proud of myself. It gives me the chance to have a say, you can’t sit around complaining and not taking action!"