Dear Friend,

Here at EDV, we are excitedly preparing for a Christmas celebration that will mark the first time our team have been together since the pandemic began in March. For some of our newer staff members, it will be their first time meeting their colleagues in person ever! Such is the new normal in 2020.

As we relish in our ability to be together, we are also taking the time for a collective deep breath.

What a year it has been for individuals, families and professionals impacted by eating disorders.

Our community has had it so tough. As a team, we have been compelled to work harder, think smarter and innovate quicker to ensure our community were supported during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. Almost nine months on from the start of this challenge, I am proud to reflect on some of the ways EDV has met this challenge, including:

• Swiftly collaborating with Victorian experts to publish guidelines on the risks of COVID-19 for people experiencing eating disorders and supports available 
• Smoothly transitioning all existing services into online and telehealth formats with little or no delay, plus the addition of regular online community events such as our Stories of Recovery webinars
• Receiving funding entrusted by the Victorian government to support the community with the impacts of COVID-19. This has enabled us to provide 370community wellbeing checks thus far and establish four new online support groups – REACH, BEYOND, BLOOM, COSMO.
• More recently, receiving additional funding from the Victorian government to support families of young people newly diagnosed with eating disorders. This will enable us to provide intensive 1:1 coaching for parents and caregivers and provide weekly online support for families waiting to commence treatment.

It’s been a big year, but our work is only just getting started. As we look towards 2021, we know that more individuals and families will need our help as we collectively face the impacts of increased eating disorder presentations across the state.

This Christmas, please consider supporting local with a gift to Eating Disorders Victoria.

Our diverse range of free and low-cost support services are essential to Victorians at all stages of the eating disorder journey. This year, more than any other, has proven how vital it is for these services to be available.

Donations also support our advocacy work, which helps create structural improvements in the system of care for eating disorder patients and their families. With changes imminent in 2021 thanks to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, it is vital that EDV can strongly represent the voices of our community through this transition.

Will you help us continue to stand strong for our community?

With thanks for your trust and support,

Belinda Caldwell
CEO