We are now working on developing specific resources for parents and carers. If you are interested in taking part and sharing your views, please email us at [email protected] or check out the link to our research page https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/glos/body-project-parents-and-carers

The Body Project’ programme involves students attending 4 1-hour sessions over 4 weeks. Sessions are interactive, friendly, and supportive and are led by qualified facilitators. It is designed to help students feel good about themselves regardless of their weight or body shape. All facilitators have been trained by the research team at the University of Gloucestershire and hold an enhanced DBS.

If your child has received support for disordered eating within the last six months, they will not be able to take part. This is because we want to protect the wellbeing of our students. 

To help us apply for funding to be able to keep this working ongoing, we are hoping to collect some data and evaluate how effective the programme is. For the evaluation, we will ask your child to complete an online survey before and after The Body Project. The questions will ask your child about their attitudes to their body and their feelings about themselves. Your child will also be asked to state their age, gender, and ethnicity. We will compare the results from these questionnaires to see if attitudes have changed across time.

Participation in the evaluation will help us to understand how well the programme is working and areas where it needs to be improved, but it is not required as part of The Body Project – your child can still join The Body Project sessions if they or you do not wish them to join the research.  

Taking part is voluntary.  It is up to you whether your child takes part or not. If you do decide you are happy for your child to participate but change your mind, you are free to withdraw them from the study without stating the reason.  

If you require any further information about eating disorders or mental health in children and young people, please visit our Support and information page.