EDV’s Peer Mentoring Program Manager and La Trobe University Graduate Researcher, Rachael Duck, is leading Australia’s first online professional development platform specific to eating disorder peer workers.

The development of this professional development resource has been made possible through the awarding of a $25,000 grant from the IgnitED Fund. The fund has selected nine early career researchers, working in co-design teams, to develop bright new ideas aimed at helping to solve the problem of eating disorders. 

Ms Duck says the grant is recognition of the important contribution of the lived experience workforce in the treatment of eating disorders.  

“Eating Disorders Victoria has been leading the way with the lived experience workforce through our Peer Mentoring Program (PMP). The PMP has been running for over five years now, and in that time has proven to support a significant reduction in eating disorder symptoms and hospital admissions for participants. It’s really exciting to have the opportunity to consolidate and grow the knowledge bank of our mentors who do this incredible work, and hopefully we’ll be able to share it with eating disorder peer workers right around Australia.” 

The professional development platform will be developed over the next six months. EDV’s Peer Mentors will act as consultants as well as users of the platform, ensuring the content meets the unique needs of their roles. Co-researchers on this project are Post-Doctoral Research Associate Dr Anita Raspovic, EDV Senior Advisor Amy Lind and the Peer Mentoring Program staff. The project is a collaboration between EDV and the Mainstream research initiative from the InsideOut Institute. 

For further information, please contact Breanna Guterres, Communications Manager on 0431 717 177 or [email protected]. Please refer to the Mindframe media guidelines when reporting on eating disorders.