Gemma relaunching eating disorders 'buddy' scheme

HULL actress Gemma Oaten is delighted to announce the relaunch of a special “buddy” scheme to help people struggling with eating disorders.

- By DEBORAH HALL

Gemma, who is CEO of the Support and Empathy for People With Eating Disorders - SEED - charity that her parents Marg and Dennis set up in Hull 25 years ago, said it had been “a really tough 12 months” for the organisation. But things were looking up with the return of SEED’s Volunteer Buddy Scheme (VBS).

The TV soap and theatre star said: “The VBS scheme will offer support weekly, over a number of weeks - we're looking at a pilot of eight weeks - to those in Hull and East Yorkshire, in collaboration with Hull and East Yorkshire (HEY) Mind.

“We're providing compassionate, non-clinical telephone support for anyone struggling or just needing someone to talk to.

“Whether you're an individual, family member, or carer, we're offering support, with no formal diagnosis required.”

In an emotional video about VBS, Gemma said: “It’s been a heck of a year or two for SEED.

“We've had some real struggles. We've had to pause. We've had to strip back. We've had to do all sorts to survive.

“But we've kept on going because we believe that everybody has a chance to thrive and not just survive and that’s why I’m so excited to say that our VBS scheme is back up and running and we are open for referrals.