Spotlight Interview- Ruth Steggles- Support For Parents Who Have A Child With An Eating Disorder.
Ruth tells us about her daughter having an eating disorder at 12 and how Ruth became a part of her daughter’s recovery. Training as a coach and wanting to support other families and parents on their journey. Ruth talks about a Body Happy Wales and her plans to set up a charity.
Tell us about your business and why it started?
There are two parts to my work:
Supporting parents who have a child with an eating disorder (ED)
It was a huge shock when our daughter developed an ED at age 12. I blamed myself and felt guilty and scared. Getting professional support was challenging, and it impacted our whole family. Until I read a book by another mother, I had no idea how to support our daughter, but that book gave me the courage and the conviction to be part of her recovery.
After our daughter’s recovery, I trained as a coach and wrote a book about our experience. I used everything I learned through her recovery in a well-being business I founded, Fresh Air Fridays. Several parents approached me for advice because of the book I had written, but in the early days, I was still too impacted by our daughter’s illness to coach others around EDs. However, a few years ago, I realised I was ready to help other parents in the way I had so desperately wanted for myself.
Research shows that parents are a vital part of the recovery process, but the blame and guilt I carried made this challenging. I now help parents be confident and resourced enough to help their children.
ED Prevention - Building a Body-Happy Wales
We live in a fat-phobic society that judges people in larger bodies. Most women and many men feel they should look a certain way. They spend a lot of time and energy trying to achieve that look or feeling bad that they don’t fit our idealised image. This impacts mental well-being, increases EDs and is a colossal waste of energy that could be spent doing other things.
I deliver talks and training for parents, young people, professionals, and organisations on how to raise body -positive children and create body-positive environments. These trainings improve mental well-being and have been proven to prevent eating disorders.
What is your vision?
I dream that all families and young people in Wales are body-accepting and body-confident. The vision for having that happen is for every secondary school to provide Body Project classes or their equivalent. To provide programmes for parents to understand how they can create body-positive environments. And through training, for every NHS trust to understand the implications of size bias and understand ‘health at every size.’
My bigger picture around EDs is that there is no longer any blame or shame associated with EDs and that every sufferer, parent or carer can find the support they need to help them.
Can you tell us more about the support you offer?
Coaching:
I work with parents in two ways, either 121 online or in person. Frequently, parents come to me because they have a child with an ED. As a coach, I also help with other challenges and transitions when someone feels they need support or are stuck. I also run an online support group called The Recovery Cwtch for parents who have a child with an ED that meets weekly. I use my personal and professional experience to help parents see what is best for them and their families. Each situation is unique, and I help parents feel confident supporting their children.
Building a Body-Positive Wales I give ED awareness talks for organisations, run training programmes for parents and organisations, and run The Body Project in Schools. Please contact me if you would like me to speak at your organisation or run The Body Project in your school.
What are you excited for in 2025? Will you be bringing any new projects to life?
I am excited about bringing The Body Project to more Schools and organisations. By the middle of this year, I and a couple of colleagues will have set up a charity to raise funds for this. I am also excited about having many more body-positive conversations and helping more parents and organisations create body-neutral environments.
This June, in conjunction with the Mental Health Charity Platfform, I am running a skills-based course for parents and carers of someone with an eating disorder, you can book on here.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our community?
I regularly volunteer with BEAT, the UK’s leading ED charity. If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, they have great resources that I recommend. I am also always open to a no-obligation chat to advise you on what you might need, so please feel free to contact me via one of the methods below.
Remember, you and your children all have strengths. Life gets easier when we focus on what we can do rather than what we can’t do. Every one of us is doing our best with what we know. Be kind to yourself.
Sending you love x
Where can we find you online?
Website: www.ruthsteggles.co.uk
Substack: www.substack.com/ruthsteggles
Email: ruth@ruthsteggles.co.uk
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/72nW2HHRs76E43VF0JuQlJ