Ruth returns to CPFT eating disorder ward to make donation and share recovery story with patients
A former patient who was treated for an eating disorder at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust has returned to the ward where she was cared for.
Ruth Beacon made the trip to S3 ward to present a donation of more than £2,000 to staff and the Trust’s Head to Toe charity after completing a half-marathon.
She also took the opportunity to speak to patients being treated at S3 now and share her recovery story.
Ruth said: “This year marked 10 years since I was discharged from the ward, and I wanted to do something special to thank the team, some of whom are still working there.
“I will never forget the treatment and support they gave me. I’m a keen runner and the Royal Parks Half Marathon seemed the perfect way to raise money and also awareness of the great work they do.”
Ruth — pictured with ward manager Megan Thody and mental health physiotherapy lead Kate Brown — was admitted to the specialist eating disorder unit which is run by CPFT and based on the site of Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge in February 2014.
At the time she was in her final year of university, but anorexia nervosa had consumed her life and she needed inpatient care.
Her treatment – which included a variety of different therapies - lasted seven and a half months before she was discharged.
Ruth eventually returned to her studies and now works for the NHS, as an occupational therapist working with children and young people in Bedford.
She said: “To this day, I remain grateful at the patience and kindness of the staff who helped me. The reason why I’ve become an occupational therapist is because I was so inspired by the OT who was part of the team at S3.
“There are still days where I struggle with my body image and worries over food, but for the last 10 years I’ve had the techniques and the understanding to deal with those issues and overcome them.
“All the way round the half-marathon course I was thinking of the S3 team and I’m grateful to everyone who sponsored me.”
Megan Thody, S3 ward manager, said: “To welcome Ruth back to our ward was fantastic. Not only has she raised an awful lot of money to help us improve the ward, she also took time to speak to the patients who are here now.
“To share her story and to talk about her experiences will help others to recognise that recovery is possible and that they can live the life they want following inpatient treatment.”
Laura Semple, community and engagement lead for Head to Toe, said: "We are incredibly grateful for the donation from Ruth. Her story is truly inspirational, and we’ll now work with the ward to decide how the money will be spent to improve it for the staff and for patients.”
To find out more about Head to Toe and to fundraise for the charity, visit the CPFT website.
CPFT employs more than 4,700 staff who provide community physical healthcare for older people and those with long-term conditions, mental healthcare for adults and young people, eating disorder services in Norfolk, health visiting and school nursing in Peterborough, social care services and learning disability support. The Trust is also renowned for its research work.
ENDS
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Andy Burrows, Deputy Head of Communications
