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Local mental health charity Hull and East Yorkshire Mind has joined forces with SEED Eating Disorder Support Services to help individuals affected by eating disorders.

Marg Oaten MBE and Dennis Oaten co-founded SEED in 2000 following daughter Gemma Oaten’s battle with anorexia. Former Emmerdale and Coronation Street actress Gemma is now the Chief Executive of SEED and works tirelessly to raise awareness of eating disorders and the impact they can have on individuals and families.

Through this partnership, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind will provide support to SEED, including recruiting and managing volunteers for their new volunteer-led buddy scheme. This program will connect trained volunteers with local people affected by eating disorders, providing compassionate, one-on-one support to encourage individuals throughout their recovery.

In addition to the buddy scheme, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind will offer SEED ongoing administrative and marketing support, helping to raise awareness and expand SEED’s impact in the community.

Gemma Oaten, Chief Executive of SEED, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership:

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Hull and East Yorkshire Mind on this initiative. Having a buddy who truly understands can make a tremendous difference in someone’s recovery journey, and with Hull and East Yorkshire Mind’s support, we’ll be able to reach and help more people than ever before.”

Emma Dallimore, Chief Executive at Hull and East Yorkshire Mind said:

“We are so excited to be partnering with SEED by providing them with volunteering and operational support. Unfortunately, we are seeing that eating disorders are rising, therefore by working together, we can ensure that more people get the help they truly deserve. We are thrilled to be able to support Marg, Gemma and Dennis to help continue the great work that they have achieved over the last 24 years.

Hull and East Yorkshire Mind and SEED invite those interested in volunteering to reach out. For additional information, click here.