Last year hundreds took to the streets of London to make a stand against the injustices that those affected by eating disorders are currently facing. Baronesse Parminter and Dr.Chukwuemeka Nwuba, author of the bestselling "Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate," discussed their experiences and the challenges of working in an underfunded system. Parents marched for loved ones they’d lost and those who have recovered marched for a better future for those still suffering.

After the success of last year, there will be another #DumpTheScales march on this Saturday the 27 April. 

Joss Walden, assistant psychologist in Adult Eating Disorders Services and Ambassador for BEAT, joined the march last year and is encouraging NHS staff with lived or professional experience to get involved: “The march last year saw hundreds of people with professional and/or personal experiences with eating disorders join forces to raise awareness about the devastating consequences the current demand on services is having, and to campaign for improved funding and equitable access to treatment. This includes acknowledging that around 90% of people with anorexia do not present as severely underweight and that many people as a result have been denied early intervention, or worse told their BMI must be lower before they can access services. I am privileged to be in the position where I can say I am one of the 50% of ED sufferers who has gone on to fully recover andit is an honour to now work within services supporting others recovery. However, this is partly due to my families privileged position having self-funded me years of private therapy and a post-code that enabled me to access multiple streams of support.  Whilst I believe everyone can make a full recovery the access to treatment isn’t equitable. Only 30% of people improve and more consequently 20% remain in a chronic condition. This high figure highlights the serious issues with regards to holistic and available treatment.”

Thank you Joss for your support and sharing!

Please do join us on Saturday and let’s make a stand against the injustices of those affected by eating disorders!