In this week's episode of Full of Beans, Han is joined by Vanessa Longley, CEO of BEAT, the UK’s eating disorder charity. Vanessa is also a mum to a 21-year-old who is in recovery, and she brings a deeply compassionate perspective on what it’s really like to support someone you love through an eating disorder.

This conversation was recorded during Eating Disorder Awareness Week, where the theme is community, and it really sits at the heart of this conversation. From the fear carers often carry in silence, to the power of ordinary conversations and shared moments, Vanessa shares what helps people keep going through the hardest days.

If you’re supporting someone with an eating disorder and feeling overwhelmed… if you’re in recovery and rebuilding trust with the people around you… or if you care about improving eating disorder support and services, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Why community can be a powerful protective factor in recovery
• What carers often carry behind the scenes, and why they need support too
• The instinct to “rescue” and how to support without letting fear lead
• Why you don’t need to be an expert in food, you need to be yourself
• The importance of ordinary conversations and shared interests
• How modelling a future, a life beyond the illness, supports recovery
• Why collaboration between charities, clinicians, researchers and lived experience matters
• How BEAT supports people with eating disorders and those who care about them
• Vanessa’s message: recovery is possible, and asking for help is the first step

Timestamps:

• 00:00: Introduction and Vanessa’s role at BEAT
• 04:30: Vanessa’s personal journey and experience as a parent
• 10:30: Supporting carers and managing fear
• 19:30: The role of community and finding support
• 26:00: Supporting someone day-to-day and staying connected
• 32:00: Collaboration, research, and improving services
• 44:00: BEAT resources and where to get help

Resources & Links

• Visit Beat's Website to find information, phone, webchat, and email support and the helpfinder for eating disorder support in your local area

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
• Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
• Check out our website
• Listen on YouTube

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders, relapse, inpatient care, food restriction, carer stress/anxiety, and mortality risk. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛