Gemma Oaten

Hull-born actress Gemma Oaten is over the moon because her eating disorder charity is finally able to open the doors to its new home today.

The Hull actress said her ultimate vision is for the government to see SEED as a "mainstream service that needs to be working hand-in-hand with the NHS and CAHMS." It might be that we can start, hopefully, helping other charities around the UK to take on our model." But actually, there's hope, and if you reach out to us we understand because we've been there, we've lived with it." She added: "And then they dip their toe in the water and they get to understand that we're here as human beings who have lived it, and all we want to do is help them. However, Gemma speaks about how "bright" things are looking now, observing: "To think that in just under a year, we've got a new home, new premises, and things are looking brighter - it just feels surreal. The library is a safe space and "first port of call" to access any information She continued: "When I was going through it, if I was walking through Princes Quay and I saw that there was an eating disorder support service - right there in front of me - not shying away, not feeling ashamed, not stuck in a corner, but there in front of me in bold. Gemma, who battled with an eating disorder from a young age, said that she would've benefitted from seeing a resource room like hers in public growing up. Here they will be able to help those needing support with eating disorders - affectionately nicknamed "seedlings". "My dream would be to grow the service enough so that there isn't just set hours for people to come by, to have a team of people on hand who are always there - that would be phenomenal." And through the tough times of losing their initial resource room and the stress of the pandemic, Gemma said "this is our stance to say that we aren't going anywhere, and we're here for you." I think that opens that door and I truly believe that's why we get the results that we get - and we make sure want people to thrive and not just survive."

Emmerdale star Gemma appeared on BBC opposite Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty and became overwhelmed with emotion.

The sooner they come forward and speak to us - the sooner we can get that help in place. "But also for other eating disorder charities around the UK, maybe take hope and strength that if we can do it and we thought we were staring down the barrel of a gun - they can. It might be that we can start, hopefully, helping other charities around the UK to take on our model."