This week Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, along with Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust and partner organisations, are hosting an eat well awareness week to highlight and gather resources for teachers, families and young people about the importance of building good relationships with food for our mental and physical health, with the aim of supporting eating disorder prevention in children and young people in Suffolk. Over the last few years, the number of young people with eating disorders throughout the UK has risen sharply due to the impact of the pandemic on youngsters’ mental health.

From 31 October to 4 November, teachers, parents, carers, and young people will have the opportunity to take part in the following free one-off workshops to gather advice and support:

Workshops for teachers:

Understanding what body image is and how it impacts children teacher Zoom workshop – Tuesday 1 November, 4pm to 5.30pm, hosted by Bodyhappy.org.com 
This workshop will be delivered by leading body image author, campaigner, and public speaker Molly Forbes, who will take you through what body image is, how it’s measured, how it impacts children, and why body image is a wellbeing, academic and safeguarding issue.

Eating Disorders – An Insight for Teachers – Tuesday 1st November, 4pm to 5.00pm, hosted by Wednesday’s Child
Wednesday’s Child will provide a comprehensive look at how eating disorders present in children and young people, and what to look out for. At the end there will be a Q&A session to share insight from a school-based perspective.

Workshops for parents and carers:

Understanding what body image is and how it impacts children and young people parent Zoom workshop – Tuesday 1 November, 6pm to 7pm, hosted by Bodyhappy.org.com 
This workshop will be delivered by leading body image author, campaigner, and public speaker Molly Forbes, who will talk about identifying body image issues and simple tweaks we can do today to make a Body Happy home for our children.

Eating Disorders – An Insight for Parents and Carers – Tuesday 1st November, 6pm to 7pm, hosted by Wednesday’s Child
Suffolk based non-profit organisation, Wednesday’s Child, will provide a comprehensive look at how eating disorders present, what parents should look out for, and what the critical components are for recovery. At the end there will be a Q&A session for parents to ask questions and share insight.

‘Let’s Talk Stress, Anxiety and Eating’ Workshop for parents and carers – Wednesday 2 November, 9.30am to 10.30am – Hosted by Kooth.com
Our Kooth psychologist will talk to parents about the link between food and mood and offer them simple strategies to help young people manage anxiety and stress.

OneLife Suffolk Eat Well Guide and Tips for families Zoom Workshop – Friday 4 November, 4pm to 5pm.
This workshop will offer guidance to parents and carers on topics such as the Eat Well Guide, mindful eating, eating healthy on a budget, the relationship between sleep and eating, and more!

Workshops for young people:

‘Let’s Talk Stress, Anxiety and Eating’ Workshop for young people – Wednesday 2 November, 4pm to 4.45pm – Hosted by Kooth.com.
Our Kooth psychologist will talk to young people about the link between food and mood and offer them simple strategies to help manage anxiety and stress.

Please share news of these workshops with your staff and families, download our ‘Eat Well, Feel Well’ Workshop Poster.

More details about the ‘Eat well, Feel Well’ awareness week activities and resources can be found on the Suffolk County Council website here: www.suffolk.gov.uk/eatwell