Anorexia and Bulimia Care (ABC) has been in existence in its present form since 1989. It is a national Christian organisation run for anyone who is suffering becuase of eating disorders: sufferers, their families, carers and professionals. It was started by an amalgamation of two existing organisations, one a support group in the north of England called 'Anorexia and Bulimia Care' and the second a national organisation called 'There is an Answer' based in East Anglia.
ABC was registered as a Charity (Number 1004468) in 1991 and Trustees were appointed. ABC was then run by a management committee overseen by two directors: the founders of the original organisations that formed ABC. In 2001 a full time manager was employed, and shortly after that the office was moved to its current location in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. ABC is still run by a management committee, and our current director is Dr Kate Middleton.
ABC is staffed by a network of volunteers, many of whom are themselves recovered sufferers. In spite of regular fundraising, we do not receive any government or trust income and our finances and resources are therefore funded exclusively by donations and by the sale of publications etc. We have been responsible for running various conferences across the UK on eating disorders. ABC is still expanding today, as we try to cope with the increasingly great need of those suffering with eating disorders, or trying to care for sufferers. We work tirelessly to increase awareness and understanding of eating disorders amongst those who work with or come into contact with sufferers, and particularly within the Christian community. We also provide support and advice to those who contact us directly, by letter, phone or email.
ABC can offer various kinds of support depending on the needs of people who come to us:
For sufferers we can offer email and telephone support, various resources to help move towards recovery and our befriending scheme, where recovered sufferers offer one to one friendship and support to help the sufferer on the road to recovery.
Part of ABC is specifically to offer support for parents and carers. ACHE (Anorexic Children, Help and Encouragement) can offer resources, advice, support and a chance to share experiences with others who have been through the same.
ABC can also offer training for professional groups, and resources for use in preventative schemes in schools, colleges and universities.
Students! Doing a project on eating disorders? Click here.
Media representatives click here.
For more information about ABC, or to seek support, please contact us.