Dump The Scales, London 2024
On Saturday the 27th April, people from all over the UK travelled to London to be part of the #dumpthescales march organised by eating disorders awareness campaigner, Hope Virgo. We heard speeches from MPs, clinicians, people with lived/living experience, and their carers, all campaigning to urge the government to adequately fund services that are stretched to capacity. I’m currently developing my visual responses to the event that was fuelled by such an array of emotion. The march was fuelled by anger, grief and desperation, but also full of hope, determination and pride for all those who were attending to share their stories of recovery and recognition of treatment that changed their lives, who have gone on to discover who they are without an eating disorder.
One of the speeches that moved the audience to tears was from a father who recounted the experience of losing his daughter to her eating disorder. There was barely a dry eye in the crowd as the fear and grief resonated for so many parents, and for those of us who can remember thinking we wouldn’t make it to the age we are today. As parents cried and hugged their children close, we were reminded of how vital it is for support to be available to carers as they navigate long waiting lists and barriers to accessing treatment.