About EDCS

Eating Disorders Carer Support New Zealand (EDCS) was formed as an informal organisation in late 2018 by a group of three parents of children with eating disorders. They had all experienced the effects of isolation and lack of support and wanted to form a safe place for other parents to connect and access resources.

Meeting through international online support groups, including FEAST, they experienced the warmth, support, education and increased confidence which these platforms provided to parents and carers.  Knowing what to expect was valuable and incredibly empowering - this  helped  to better support their children through the distress and fear as a result of the illness, and also to decrease the high levels of uncertainty and anxiety for the parents and carers.

The three parents identified virtual support as a missing gap, particularly in the early days, so this is something they wanted to replicate this, and more tailored for New Zealand needs.

We have come a long way since then, officially becoming a registered charitable trust in February 2023

Mission Vision & Values

Mission

EDCS recognises and advocates involvement of families/whanau and carers/kaitiaki of loved ones with an eating disorder or disordered eating, providing support, information and educational resources, to empower and optimise effective treatment and recovery.

Vision

EDCS recognises and advocates the effective involvement of families/whanau and carers/kaitiaki, raising awareness of eating disorders and advocating for improved systems, education, early intervention treatment, health pathways, clinical supports and research opportunities which would benefit the care and recovery of all New Zealanders/Nga tangata o Aotearoa affected by an Eating Disorder or Disordered Eating.

Values

In determining values appropriate for the future of the organisation, we consider the use and application of the values, what drives our decision-making, and how we support and deliver our services.

Empowering – Parents and carers are better able to provide effective support for their loved ones when they are empowered to take charge of their own journey, with knowledge and boundaries.

Person-centred – Carers are at the heart of everything we do, and we are led by their needs. We design services to meet people’s needs now and in the future.

Collaborative – We believe to make change happen, we need to bring people, ideas and resources together. Partnerships inclusive of lived experience and academics, and teamwork is fundamental to our success.

Adaptable – We acknowledge the world around us is changing and we need to change by innovating and applying creative solutions to move forward. We are resourceful in response to this change.

Accountable – We deliver on our promises and hold ourselves responsible. We are honest, candid, transparent and respectful in all aspects of our work, applying good judgement for effective decision-making.