Meadowhall lit up purple last week as the shopping centre spread awareness on both Eating Disorder Awareness week and Rare Disease day.
Meadowhall said that it was proud to support a wide range of causes and awareness days that matter to its local community including last week when is turned its dome lights purple in partnership with South Yorkshire Eating Disorder Association.
The South Yorkshire Eating Disorder Association is an independent charity established by a group of volunteers who wanted to ensure that others suffering had access to the correct information, guidance and help.
Sophie O’Horan, engagement coordinator at the SYEDA said: “Meadowhall is a hub of activity within the South Yorkshire community, with many people visiting each week from across the region. It is important for us to get as much reach as possible, to signpost people to our services and let them know that recovery is possible.”
The SYEDA aims to raise awareness on the issue to combat the misconceptions, stigma and shame that revolves around the topic of eating disorders while encouraging early intervention.
They hope that increased awareness in the disorder could prevent someone from suffering with it and encouraging those potentially venerable to seek help.
A spokesperson for SYEDA said: “We work in the prevention and early intervention space, so our charity works to ensure that people can be supported in their recovery promptly and to raise awareness of eating disorders through-out the region”.
This is only one of the ways the SYEDA used to raise awareness for their cause, they have also projected their foundation onto digital screens that have been displayed all across South Yorkshire, including gyms and other shopping destinations as well as featuring on South Yorkshire Hits Radio and hosting multiple online trainings.
The spokesperosn added: “Eating Disorders can affect anyone, of any background. They don’t discriminate It is important to understand that most eating disorders are not about food, they are about feelings.”
The SYEDA has urged anyone who may be suffering or knows someone who may be suffering to visit their website at SYEDA – South Yorkshire Eating Disorder Association to see how the foundation may be able to help.
