Our featured service for September is The Shared Table, an online meal support training program from Eating Disorders Queensland, for carers, family members and other support people helping a loved one with an eating disorder.

“Supporting a loved one through meals can feel challenging, and carers often tell us they want practical guidance they can return to in their own time. The Shared Table was created to help carers build knowledge, confidence and practical skills for before, during and after meals. By making the training free and available online, we hope more families and support people can feel informed, capable and less alone as they assist their loved one’s recovery.” – Eating Disorders Queensland

There are two versions of The Shared Table program available: one for people whose loved one is not engaged in Family Based Treatment (FBT), and one for those whose loved one is currently engaged in Family Based Treatment (FBT).

The Shared Table program is not intended to replace any advice provided specifically by the individual’s treating team. Anyone considering undertaking The Shared Table is strongly encouraged to advise their loved one’s treatment team that they are completing this training.

The Shared Table is designed to support family, friends and carers in aiding a loved one, specifically with meal support. It is not dependent upon the person’s age or their current treatment status, although it is strongly encouraged that the user’s loved one seek professional treatment.

The Shared Table provides carers and support people with practical tools and strategies to support a loved one through eating disorder recovery. The program helps participants build confidence in providing meal support, strengthen communication skills, and develop a better understanding of the role nutrition plays in recovery. It is designed to support carers before, during and after meals, helping them feel more prepared and confident in their support role.

Health practitioners can recommend The Shared Table to carers as a complementary resource alongside professional eating disorder treatment. The program provides practical education and support that can reinforce strategies discussed in clinical care and help carers feel more confident supporting meals at home. It is intended to supplement, not replace, advice provided by the treating team.

The Shared Table Program is free to access at any time, regardless of if the carer’s loved one is or is not engaged in Family Based Treatment or any other treatment.

Individuals can access The Shared Table at https://edqsharedtable.com.au/.

The Shared Table was developed through a collaboration between Eating Disorders Queensland, Queensland Eating Disorder Service (QuEDS), and the Child and Youth Mental Health Service Eating Disorder Program (CYMHS EDP). The program is evidence-informed and draws on principles of Family Based Treatment (FBT) to support carers in providing effective meal support at home.

In 2023, an evaluation was conducted to assess the usefulness and practicality of The Shared Table for carers. The evaluation included pre-program, post-program and one-month follow-up measures examining carers’ knowledge, confidence, willingness and skills in providing meal support, as well as wellbeing and perceived burden^{1, 2}. Preliminary findings suggest improvements in carers’ knowledge of supportive meal therapy and their meal-support skills; however, the available results have not yet been formally published. Early findings indicate that The Shared Table increased carers’ knowledge of supportive meal therapy (SMT) and their skills³.

¹ https://edqsharedtable.com.au/quizzes/permission/

² https://www.mainstreamresearch.org.au/projects/shared-table-evaluation

³ https://insideoutinstitute.org.au/news/%E2%80%9Ccreating-hope-and-resilience%E2%80%9D-new-research-to-improve-online-meal-support-training-for-carers