Starbucks Bath, High Street

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses which include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. 1.25 million children and adults of all ages and backgrounds across the UK are affected. Girls and young women aged between twelve and twenty are most at risk but anyone can be affected, of any age, sex, or cultural background, with men and boys making up between 10% and 25% of sufferers. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness claiming precious, promising lives every year. An eating disorder has a major impact on every area of a person’s life. Through our helplines we support as many people as possible, providing free advice, guidance and listening 365 days a year, 3pm-10pm. Our adult and youthlines can be contacted via one-to-one chat, telephone, email and Twitter, ensuring that sufferers of any age can access our services via the channel of their choice. We have found that many sufferers (particularly males), prefer to write rather than call for support. Our online support groups and message boards provide sufferers, parents and anyone caring for a loved one who is struggling, a safe and moderated space to share experiences with others struggling with the same issues. Our website is a source of information, positive recovery blogs and guidance for anyone affected. Our HelpFinder service helps people find treatment available to them in their local area and we also offer awareness training to local schools, workplaces, and primary care facilities. Testimonials from our service users: “It was a call to Beat’s helpline which helped me take the first steps into choosing recovery…When all my support had stopped due to a change in location, it was Beat who gave me the information about what steps I needed to take and provided me with someone to talk to, giving me the strength to hold on.” “As an older person with an eating disorder I am often overlooked. But there are a lot of us out here. I really value Beat and the work they do.” “…I have a Beat card in my purse with the phone number… When I moved here I phoned the Helpline and they listened to me”

Bathford Link is a registered charity whose goal is to help people in the village who need help getting about. We have a team of volunteers who act as co-ordinators and drivers and help in other ways. To arrange a trip, a call on our mobile number will reach the duty co-ordinator who will contact drivers and find one for that journey. The driver will pick the person up from their house and take them by car to and from a venue they could not easily reach, like a surgery, hospital or other treatment centre. We do not charge for this service although a donation to help our running costs is usually made by the person being taken on the trip. Link is really appreciated by the people it helps for the friendly and helpful approach and willingness to give that extra bit when needed.

The Wizzybug addresses the needs of children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy. Generally there is no NHS funding for powered mobility for children under 5 so we fundraise to make Wizzybugs available, FREE of charge, to children in mainland UK who could benefit from them. Families who have had a Wizzybug have told us: "It has been incredible to see her confidence grow, both moving around in it and also in communicating with, and being around, other people. We are so grateful for Wizzybug." "I've had the best day ever going to collect my little man's Wizzybug. Seeing his face and hearing him laugh is just priceless, I can't wait to see what adventures we can have with Wizzybug. I can't thank you all enough." We build Wizzybugs onsite in Bath using locally sourced components and supply them to families all around the country. Wizzybugs are loaned for as long as needed and are then returned to us for refurbishment so that we can re-loan them to a new family. We rely on the generous support of donors in order to make each Wizzybug possible. P.S. Wizzybugs match the Starbucks red cups rather nicely... maybe another reason to support us? :)