Our Vision:

A world where everyone accepts their body. 

What we're trying to achieve: 

This year we developed a safe and secure app where Mentees are connected with vetted and trained Mentors who have been through similar experiences with body image. Our successful test launch was warmly welcomed by Mentees and showed a demand greater than the one we can meet. Now we need to raise more money for our Mentor Outreach Program enabling us to recruit, vet and train new volunteer Mentors. So we can bring help to hundreds more people in the UK who are struggling with their body image and mental health.

We will use the funding to expand the service from 60 mentoring spaces to 600 per year. We will recruit empathetic, experienced Mentors who have been on their own journey and are now able to help others share their story. We will ensure they are thoroughly vetted and trained so that Mentees are receiving the most positively impactful service we can offer.

 Here is why: 

• 86% of adults said the way they feel about their body has impacted their mental health.
• 1 in 8 adults experience suicidal thoughts of feelings because of concerns about their body image. 
• Between 30% and 40% of men feel anxious about their weight and up to 85% are dissatisfied with their body. 
• 1 in 5 adults have felt shame because of their body image. 

The statistics and harsh reality about body image and mental health are tragically visible in our daily life, and we’re constantly being bombarded with images of 'perfection’ in mainstream media and on social media. The way people perceive and feel about their bodies is causing them to miss out on experiences and in some cases, devastatingly costing people their lives. There are many factors that can lead to having negative body image, including:                                                                

• Media/social media 
• Early childhood experiences
• Trauma or abuse
• Comments made from other people

Body image issues include: 

• Comparing yourself to others and finding yourself lacking in self-worth
• Finding self-acceptance difficult
• Feelings of shame and self-disgust
• Body dysmorphia
• Disordered eating
• Issues around control
• Highly self-critical

How Been There can help?

If you haven't battled with body image issues, chances are that someone close to you probably has, and may know how difficult it is to find relatable help. Even though many of us are there for our friends and family, for the person struggling, sometimes it’s not enough to talk to someone who cares for them. The person suffering often needs someone who really gets their issues; someone who has been through it themselves and can help the individual to feel less alone in their struggles. Finding someone who can relate can be one of the most poignant parts of the recovery process; and that’s where we come in.

We can’t change the past, but we can help shape the future, by providing top quality Mentors, fully equipped with the life experience and rigorous training needed to support those currently struggling. Our Mentors are not medically trained professionals, but simply are people who have relatable experience and are volunteering their time because they want to help as they wish they had someone who had Been There for them too. If applicable, Been There’s service can be used in conjunction with medical assistance or while on a waiting list for treatment. 

A relatable and experienced voice was the turning point for our Founder, Tessa, during her battle with bulimia. The role her Mentor played in her recovery included asking thought-provoking questions, encouraging self-reflection, and inspiring self-acceptance. 

What we do already: 

Our charity is one year old, and in that year, we have: developed and launched an app, recruited and trained 10 mentors, and helped almost 40 people on their healing journey with their body image. 

The feedback we’ve received from our Mentees is so encouraging and we’re only just getting started.  

• "I've struggled for many years and am on the road to recovery. My Mentor made me feel like I wasn't alone on the journey"; 
• "I felt deeply ashamed until I started speaking to you"; 
•  "It feels so lonely on the journey when you are the only person who can really fix yourself, but this genuinely gives me hope, I can't thank you enough”. 

We truly believe in the value of connecting people who can relate to your journey and our pilot has confirmed the power of this. We don’t want to stop here, so we now need you to #BringTheSupport. 

What inspired Been There?

Been There was created by Tessa Peters in response to her personal experience of living with an eating disorder. Tessa desperately sought help from counsellors and therapists but felt there was one thing lacking: relatability.  After a long time and a lot of searching Tessa finally found a Mentor, who changed her life for the better. This ignited a burning desire in her to create a service where others can access this form of support easily and safely. Tessa brings this drive and fortitude to the charity every day, positively motivating and exciting the team and supporters (individuals, corporations and organisations) that she is bringing along on this incredible journey.  

Why mentoring?

Mentoring is a proven form of communication to help enhance the Mentee’s self-confidence through listening, supporting, and empowering them. As a Mentor you're permitted to speak about your own experience too, which helps the Mentee feel less alone and judged. Fear of being judged or feeling ashamed can prevent us from seeking help and speaking up so we at Been There are tackling this barrier to help, head on.

Why an app? 

It is easy to use, easily accessible, safe, secure, and discrete. All chat conversations are confidential between the specific Mentor and Mentee; however, they are all monitored by Been There supervisors to ensure safety and quality. 

How are Mentors looked after? 

The wellbeing of our Mentors is just as much of a priority as that of our Mentees. We have created a unique, inclusive, supportive community, whereby Mentors support each other too. We have a WhatsApp chat for all volunteer Mentors, fortnightly 1-2-1 calls with a Mentor Manager to check-in, a Monthly Mentor Meet Up via video call where everyone can share experience, have a chance for self-reflection and help each other.

www.beenthereapp.com