Newcastle campaigner travels to London for Dump The Scales eating disorder march for change

A Newcastle campaigner took to the streets of London this weekend, in protest of how people are treated for eating disorders across the UK.

Benton native Lily Hall marched from Trafalgar Square to the Houses of Parliament alongside around 1,000 others in Dump The Scales' campaign for change. Dump The Scales is a campaign which was set up by award-winning mental health campaigner and author Hope Virgo, in a bid to change the way the Government gives treatment to people with eating disorders.

The first Dump The Scales march took place in 2023, with hundreds in attendance in the capital to take a stand. Lily joined likeminded campaigners in London at Saturday's (April 27) event, making the walk from Trafalgar to Parliament to have their voices heard.

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Speaking to Chronicle Live about the campaign, Lily said: "It's a campaign based around eating disorders and the lack of representation and awareness.

"There's lots of stereotypes around it, and because of that, a lot of treatment is purely weight focused which means that a lot of people aren't getting the treatment they need."

Lily added: "Yesterday was the second one [march] that we've done. We marched from Trafalgar Square down to the Parliament area and there was lots of different people who attended. We had quite a few speeches - people speaking out about their own personal stories.

"We had a few MPs, doctors - we had an Olympian and also a man who came to speak about his daughter who had passed away from anorexia. The campaign is about trying to change the way that eating disorders are treated."

Speaking on change that campaigners hope to achieve, Lily added: "Waiting lists are far too long and by the time people are seen to they are usually physically unwell and then they meet the criteria - but people are often turned away. There's not enough funding when it comes to staffing certain treatment services and getting the correct things they need.

"I suffer from anorexia and I've been quite fortunate, but I know so many people who I've met through treatment who have been turned away time and time again, and it's now led to a longer battle with their eating disorder. I think just a lot of change needs to be done with treatment and even the diagnosis criteria.

"Weight isn't necessarily a main factor anymore, but it's still something that GPs won't really listen to you unless you're underweight or you're physically struggling in some way."

The official event description for this weekend's event, read: "The increase in people struggling with eating disorders in the last few years is shocking and catastrophic. The figures alone are not creating action. This is where we need every single person who cares about the disastrous impact of eating disorders.

"We must be the action. In addition to the devastating impact to people’s lives, eating disorders are a hugely stigmatised illness. They are an insidious and dangerous mental illness that has complex roots and manifestations. One that affects individuals, family, friends & relationships with a horrifying impact.

"Eating disorders are the deadliest mental illnesses but the funding and support they receive has never met the demand. The government blame the pandemic for the rise in people of all ages, receiving treatment. This ignores the reality, which is due to a lifetime of underfunding of services and research.

"They have undertaken dangerous health initiatives such as calorie counting on menus. Action that has normalised disordered eating and worsened the problem. Enough is enough! We cannot and will not let eating disorders be ignored anymore!"

The NHS describe anorexia nervosa as an eating disorder and 'serious mental health condition', in which, people 'try to keep their weight as low as possible'. Their site adds: "Men and women of any age can get anorexia, but it's most common in young women and typically starts in the mid-teens."

If you're struggling with an eating disorder, you can contact Beat Eating Disorders Monday to Friday 3pm to 8pm on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales) or 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).