REDCAN is an alliance of seven independent eating distress and eating disorder charities based across the UK.
Charities support people to recover before they become seriously unwell, work to prevent eating disorders, and provide services for people discharged from NHS treatment. Charities can work closely with NHS eating disorder services, aiming for people to have smoother access to the right level of support and treatment.
Each charity was founded by people with lived experience of an eating disorder or by those supporting loved ones affected by them.
In 2025-26, REDCAN charities received nearly 7,000 referrals, with well over two-thirds coming directly from people seeking help.
Charities offer support for a wider range of eating disorders than local NHS services. Support approaches include:
Caraline is a local eating disorder charity working across Luton and Bedfordshire, providing early intervention and timely support. We offer evidence based therapies, including CBTE, specialist ARFID support, and lived experience peer support to empower individuals on their recovery journey.
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Eating Distress North East are the specialist eating distress charity in the North East and offer support, information, help and hope to people affected by eating distress. We do this through one-to-one counselling and CBT; prevention and education workshops for children and young people and training professionals to aid early identification; and wellbeing workshops for individuals and loved ones.
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First Steps Eating Disorders is a national eating disorder charity providing local help and support to individuals and their families of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Additionally, we offer training and education to professionals and, together with our stakeholders, we advance the latest evidence base for service developments through our service-user-led approach.
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We are a nurse-led specialist eating disorder charity based in Peterborough, supporting people across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire. Our service offers personalised assessments and individual support, as well as carers sessions and toolbox talks that provide practical guidance, education and support for families and professionals.
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SWEDA supports children, young people and adults with eating disorders and their families in the South & West. We offer 1-2-1 therapeutic support, support groups, a helpline, training for professionals and outreach at schools and colleges as well as free resources through our website, monthly newsletter and social media.
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SYEDA work across South Yorkshire to provide support for individuals affected by eating disorders, including their friends and family. We also provide a range of training sessions and workshops to raise awareness of eating disorders for professionals in education, healthcare, fitness and across the VCSE sector.
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SupportED work across Scotland offering support groups for adults with an eating disorder and their carers. Individuals do not need a formal diagnosis of an eating disorder. Our befriending service is here to support recovery through weekly phone calls with a trained volunteer.
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format_quote It wasn’t until my late 30s that a mental health nurse identified I had an Eating Disorder and referred to First Steps ED for support. I didn't think you can help an ED when you were overweight… First Steps ED supported me in identifying and accepting it, which was very hard for me. format_quote
Service user
format_quote I've really appreciated the help I've been given at EDNE, didn't feel like I was just there as a client who just needed to get to the end of their sessions. I actually felt heard and understood. format_quote
Service user
format_quote I can’t believe the difference that SYEDA made to my daughter’s life, I am so grateful to the service and how it has helped her. format_quote
Parent
format_quote PEDs saved my life. I can't thank them enough for the support they've given me format_quote
Service user
format_quote The charity really was a lifesaver for me at a time where I felt unsupported and lost in my recovery journey. format_quote
Service user