“During the course I was made to feel so comfortable and felt that I was being acknowledged for who I was. Throughout the weeks the program was explained well at each stage, and it never felt like there was any pressure on anyone. I appreciated that the course had such a holistic approach and even though I was a bloke I didn’t feel different to the other group members that were women.

The course was very inclusive in nature and the delivery was fantastic from very caring facilitators that put their heart and soul into this course. You really get the impression that it is very important to them and that they want participants to make progress and get something out of it. I was nervous at first but after the first session I felt right at home and always looked forward to each session.

I am now missing the course and the family of friends I made. It has really had a lasting impact on me. In the past I have done other more formal CBT and specialist counselling on a one-to-one basis, but this felt easier and had more of an impact on me. I found that the mixture of theory alongside an interactive approach helped to make the course a positive experience with some funny and light-hearted moments where possible. It was helpful that each facilitator had unique experiences of EDs. The course never felt too formal, and it was very comprehensive on many aspects that impact people’s lives with the condition. I received homework to do and felt comfortable doing it.

I wish I could do the course all over again as I enjoyed it so much. All the facilitators have such a caring way about them. Thank you to the Freed team. I would highly recommend this course to anyone. I thought I would never make any progress but now I know and believe that I’m in a much better place due to the hard work of the Freed team.”

“Before starting the Freed course I spent a solid year thinking of little other than my daughter’s suspected ED; researching online, reading books, trying to access charities via helplines, appointments with the GP, access to CAMHS and in between times simply worrying. Within the first 15 minutes of session one on the course I felt I could breathe and decided “maybe we are going to be ok”. For the next 6 weeks my days became lighter and family life easier as I wasn’t so panicked that I had no idea what direction to take or how we were going to find support. I think there are a number of reasons that the Freed course provided me with this reassurance and optimism. There is a remarkable balance between education and community. I learnt a lot about what ED is, the (typical) personality type of sufferers, nutrition, CBT methodology, parenting styles…. but it’s the way in which the ladies lead the course that make the difference. It was clear immediately that there was no judgement and that their knowledge is matched by experience. They have a unique understanding because they have lived it (as sufferer and / or carer) and this simply is not paralleled in any other professional support I have accessed to date. The difference this makes is incredible, I felt I belonged in the group and that we understood each other simply by being there.

The first load off my shoulders was accepting that the one throw away comment that my daughter remembers from 4 years ago might have been a trigger, but that her eating distress was probably inevitable and I couldn’t have influenced this sooner. Having forgiven myself for that, I’ve been able to focus on recovery, on understanding her better and on practical approaches to address negative thinking.

I wish this course could be made available to every family experiencing an eating distress. It has firmly put us on the right path and armed me with confidence, knowledge, resources to be able to continue the journey beyond the course. I want to stay connected and involved through the support group and am so thankful for that opportunity.”