Introducing tastelife

We are a supportive and educational charity that informs about eating disorders. We provide tools for recovery for those affected and help for those who care; preventative resources for young people in schools and youth groups; and education for all interested

The tastelife charity was formed in 2014 with the aim of getting help for recovery from eating disorders to more people, more of the time

It was founded by Di Archer and Jean Hart, two mums who both had daughters with eating disorders. Finding little to help them survive this challenge, they put their education and eating disorder counsellor heads together, and created the evidence-based, award-winning tastelife course which is proving to be a welcome, targeting resource with effective tools for support and recovery. Today, with a growing staff team and an army of volunteers, the tastelife team continues to be committed to changing the story of eating disorders for the better.

Both of our founders have daughters who suffered from eating disorders

‘We found very little to help us survive the struggle at the time, so decided something had to be done to fill the gap in support and treatment. Thankfully, our daughters are all now recovered. But eating disorders are on the increase, and the NHS can only see a small proportion of those directly affected by eating disorders, often only the most severe cases. Our course is suitable for all, and the recovery tools it offers may be used by anyone.’

Our Founders

Di Archer

CEO and Co-founder of tastelife UK
Di is a trainer, writer and speaker with a theological background. Family experience led to her co-founding and now heading up tastelife. She loves working with the gifted tastelife team and volunteers, and is delighted that together they offer such innovative and effective resources for those affected by eating disorders.
Di and her husband Graham have three grownup children, an assortment of gorgeous grandchildren . . . and a hot tub. The latter for medicinal purposes, of course!
Di Archer MA with Distinction, Theology, Nottingham University, PTLLS (Adult Education), BA Lancaster University
Jean Hart

Co-founder of tastelife UK
Now retired from tastelife, Jean was a licensed lay minister in the Church of England. She trained in integrative psychotherapy and then specialised in eating disorder counselling. She knows only too well the trauma experienced by families trying to cope with this all too common mental condition. With Di Archer, she wrote the tastelife course, and together they founded the charity tastelife. She loves spending time with her ever growing, noisy family as well as cooking, gardening and walking her dog.
Jean Hart BA Advanced Diploma Integrative Psychotherapy, Certificate in Bereavement Counselling, Southampton University. Previously part of a research team for Southampton University looking at the use of video and family sculpting in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.

Take a minute to watch an introduction to who we are and the difference we make

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What a joy to share our first ever Impact Report with you, tastelife at 10!

It is incredible to look back and see how far we have come together in bringing hope that recovery from eating disorders is indeed possible.

Click below to download and read tastelife at 10; prepare to be inspired! If you would like a hard copy of the Impact Report, please contact us to request one.

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‘tastelife is a life-saver’

People with eating disorders find themselves in a very dark place. tastelife aims to help them out of that darkness, by providing compassionate knowledge, understanding, and tools for recovery.

Government sources suggest that 4 million people in the UK have eating disorders (Hansard Feb 2013)
Help from the NHS is limited to the most severe cases
Hospital admissions for those dangerously ill with anorexia and bulimia have doubled over the last three years.
Many overweight people are suffering from binge-eating disorder which means they are addicted to food and in danger of diabetes, heart disease or stroke.