Beat: Helping People in the UK Beat Eating Disorders

Founded in 1989, Beat is the UK's only national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting people with eating disorders and their family and friends. The world's largest eating disorders charity as well, Beat began as the Eating Disorders Association when local charities Anorexic Aid and Anorexic Family Aid merged to form the country's first nationwide organization devoted to helping individuals affected by anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. In early 2007, the Eating Disorders Association changed its working name to Beat to reflect its new vision that “eating disorders will be beaten,” though it maintains Eating Disorders Association as its legally registered charity name.

Beat aims to help people with eating disorders believe that they can overcome their condition, improve relevant treatments and services, and change the way society views eating disorders. Consequently, Beat's programs are designed to provide support and information to people living with eating disorders, enhance the skills and understanding of professional staff, and raise the public's awareness and knowledge of eating disorders. The charity runs telephone helplines, local support groups, and a website that includes information, online chat, and message boards. Last year, Beat directly assisted 250,000 adults and young individuals in the UK, and thousands more through its website and the media.

Over the years, Beat has received a number of accolades for its work, including the Telephone Helplines Association Quality Standard Award, the Charity Awards' Highly Commended honor in the Healthcare and Medical Research category, the Royal British Legion Humanitarian Award, and the British Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen Award. Beat will not be taking any breaks this holiday season and will keep its helplines and message boards open throughout the festive period. The charity has made a Christmas appeal for donations – £25 will answer five questions on the message boards, £50 will fund its helpline for an hour, while £100 will give online support to 50 young people with an eating disorder.