Bake Off's Steph Blackwell on speaking publicly about her eating disorder

Steph Blackwell was one of the stand-out stars of this year’s Great British Bake Off winning ‘Star Baker’ a record breaking four times. The 28-year-old has been suffering with an eating disorder since she was 17 and recently decided to talk publicly about her illness in order to help others who may be struggling.

Find advice and support via our helplines below:

NHS Choices – Eating DisordersEating DisordersOvercoming Eating Disorders

B-eat (Beat Eating Disorders)Helpline: 0808 801 0677Youthline: 0808 801 0711Studentline: 0808 801 0811www.b-eat.co.ukSupport GroupsProvides advice and support and information for anyone with an eating disorder inc anorexia and bulimia nervosa.

National Centre for Eating DisordersHelpline: 0845 838 2040www.eating-disorders.org.ukPregnancy and Eating DisordersEverything you need about eating disorders treatment, information and professional training in the help and treatment of eating disorders. Eating disorders, such as compulsive overeating, binge eating, anorexia, bulimia, obesity, orthorexia and failed dieting affect people in every walk of life. There are millions of men and women suffering from chaotic eating disorders, perhaps harbouring persistent weight problems and obsessed with food and weight who need help to beat their symptoms.

SEEDHelpline: 01482 718130www.seedeatingdisorders.org.ukWe are a group of ordinary people with first hand experience of eating disorders, who make a difference to those people whose lives are blighted by this devastating illness. All services can be accessed through self-referral. We provide support and services for people living in Hull East Riding and Out of Area.

MGEDT (Men Get Eating Disorders Too)www.mengetedstoo.co.uk‘Men Get Eating Disorders Too’ is an award winning national charity dedicated to representing and supporting the needs of men with eating disorders. Our website provides essential information that is specific to the unique needs of men and an online space for men to get their voices heard as well as offer peer support via our forum. We also campaign in the media and organise awareness raising events and training for professionals.

ARFIDwww.arfidawarenessuk.orgWe are the UK’s only charity dedicated to raising awareness and furthering information about ARFID. As a not-for-profit, we work to provide individuals, parents, carers and medical professionals with up-to-date relevant information, research and support.

Overeaters Anonymouswww.oagb.org.ukOvereaters Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope are recovering from compulsive overeating. Welcomes everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively.

Weight Concernwww.weightconcern.org.ukThe charity is committed to developing and researching new treatments for obesity. It is also working to increase the availability of the successful treatments it has pioneered in the UK via self-help programmes, self-help support groups and family based childhood obesity treatment.

Weight Wisewww.bdaweightwise.comAn independent site, managed by the British Dietetic Association (BDA), with unbiased, easy-to-follow hints and tips - based on the latest evidence - to help you manage your weight for good. It will help you take a look at your current eating habits and physical activity levels, and offer a practical approach to setting your own goals for lifestyle change.

British Nutrition Foundationwww.nutrition.org.ukNutrition for BabyPromotes the wellbeing of society through the impartial interpretation and effective dissemination of scientifically based knowledge and advice on the relationship between diet, physical activity and health.

Recover Your LifeOne of the biggest and best Self Harm Support Communities on the Internet, offers help on a variety of topics surrounding self harm, including self injury, eating disorders, mental health issues, abuse and bullying, as well as drugs and alcohol and first aid.

YoungMindsParent’s Information Service: 0808 802 5544www.youngminds.org.ukSupporting your child with eating problemsNational charity committed to improving the mental health of all children and young people. Services include the Parents Information Service, which is a free confidential helpline for any adult with concerns information about the mental health of a child or young person.

Family LivesHelpline: 0808 800 2222 (24 hours)www.parentlineplus.org.ukEating DisordersOffers support to anyone parenting or helping to raise children, from newborn babies to young adults. There are free telephone and email helplines, parenting courses and information leaflets. The website offers lots of advice, real-life stories and relevant news as well as a helpful A-Z of related topics.

ChildLineHelpline: 0800 11 11www.childline.org.ukFeelings and EmotionsChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people. You can contact ChildLine in these ways: You can phone on 0800 1111, send us an email, have a 1-2-1 chat with us, send a message to Ask Sam and you can post messages to the ChildLine message boards. You can contact ChildLine.

The MixHelpline: 0808 808 4994www.themix.org.ukEating Disorders ExplainedLife’s tough, we know that. It can throw a lot your way and make it hard to know what the hell to do with it all. So, welcome to The Mix. Whether you’re 13, 25, or any age in between, we’re here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts you have. We give you the information and support you need to deal with it all. Because you can. Because you’re awesome. We’ll connect you to experts and your peers who’ll give you the support and tools you need to take on any challenge you’re facing – for everything from homelessness to finding a job, from money to mental health, from break-ups to drugs. We’re a free and confidential multi-channel service. That means that you choose how you access our support, without the worry of anyone else finding out. Whether it be through our articles and video content online or our phone, email, peer to peer and counselling services – we put the control in your hands. You can even volunteer with us too.