A Bucks based charity who help people struggling with body image is asking for help with just days to raise crucial funds.
Been There offers free 1:1 mentoring for body image sufferers, from Mentors who have 'been there' too. They have launched a Big Give Fundraiser to raise £25,000, but with just 4 days to go (as of 1/12/23) need £8,500 in order to not miss out on the match funding.
The money will be spent on recruiting, vetting, training and supporting more volunteer Mentors so we can support those struggling. You can see how to help below.
The charity was started by Tess Peters, who told Bucks Radio about her own struggles:
"I vowed to never let anyone feel alone and ashamed as I once did. In 2017 I was lying on my mum's bathroom floor after making myself sick. I struggled with Bulimia for 11 years. Through recovery I wanted to speak to someone who had gone through something similar. I felt I couldn't open up to anyone else. I was riddled with shame. Once I eventually found a Mentor that changed everything for me, I was able to share in a way I hadn't before and was the catalyst to starting my recovery. It was the biggest most impactful thing for me and I am so driven to ensure that everyone has someone relatable to talk to and no longer feels alone with their struggles".
Bella has recently used the charity, and says they helped her through her darkest hour:
"My time with Been There genuinely changed my life and played such a huge role in my decision not to go through with my suicide plan".
Body image issues have dominated society, and the problems have increased since the introduction of social media and the impact that lockdown has had on our mental health and heightened insecurities.
• 86% of adults said the way they feel about their body has impacted their mental health
• 1 in 8 adults experience suicidal thoughts of feelings due to concerns about their body image
• 84% rise in eating disorder hospital admissions in the last 5 years
If you would like to donate to the charity, please use this link https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002RXtw2AAD (EXTERNAL LINK) and you can find out more about the charity her https://beenthereapp.com/ (EXTERNAL SITE)
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