Gemma Oaten, Manager of SEED and the person who inspired the founding of SEED.
View a selection of her interviews, lectures and videos about eating disorders.
Gemma Oaten on Relationships, Eating Disorders, and Self-acceptance
May 2024
Gemma Oaten on BBC breakfast for eating disorders awareness week 2024
February 2024
So overwhelmed by the response to my appearance on BBC Breakfast this morning along with the amazing Lisa Valentine & Kerri Fleming from BEAT I am so grateful to bbc breakfast for continually supporting me and our work at SEED – Eating Disorder Support Services and for putting up with my constant pitching!! It’s so important we keep discussing and normalising the conversations around eating disorders, and especially this Eating Disorder awareness weeks theme “ARFID” A huge thank you to our Seedling Jess Hempshall too for being so brave. Sharing our lived experience is vital for understanding and change. We must keep shouting loud. This matters. You matter 🌱
Gemma Oaten and Living With an Eating Disorder
August 2022
At age 10, Gemma discovered that she had an eating disorder, although due to a lack of clinical understanding, she continued to struggle for another 13 years. Now Gemma is the CEO of the charity SEED UK, which aims to help those living with an eating disorder.
In this fascinating conversation, they spoke about the difficulties with getting a diagnosis, the severity of eating disorders and providing support for survivors.
MTV Home truths with Marnie Simpson
August 2021
I remember being asked to be a guest on Marnie Simpsons MTV Home Truths podcast and thinking… ‘Me? They want to talk to me and feature it on Geordie shore with all those followers?! Me with hardly any?!‘
This podcast gave me hope that the narrative is changing and that those with vast amounts of followers see the importance of addressing a subject because it is IMPORTANT.
BBC Breakfast Interview SEED & Marg, Dennis and Gemma Oaten
22nd July 2021
On 22nd July 2021 something incredible happened. Something I fought for for years and worked hard to make happen. Eating Disorders being discussed in depth on national television. BBC Breakfast have been incredible in giving us and so many a voice and this segment is just the beginning. I am truly grateful.
BBC breakfast news – Gemma & Marg Oaten
12th April 2021
Interview with Gemma’s amazing mum following the tragic death of Darling Nikki Grahame and how the narrative needs to change. Recovery is possible.
BBC news interview – Gemma Oaten. Eating disorder awareness.
9th March 2021
Addressing the report from the women and equalities Committee to the government.
Eating disorders, empathy and the power of words by Gemma Oaten – PiXL Stretch talk teaser
March 2021
I love speaking to children about their mental health and well-being and being able to give them the tools to live a fulfilled and content life. Resilience, facing adversity, friendships, determination…the list goes on. I have been so lucky to have worked with The PiXL club many times over, and in turn,
Sky news interview – Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2021
March 2021
Here Gemma is speaking to the Sky News team about why Eating Disorders can’t be ignored any longer.
Loose Women interview – Eating Disorder Support and awareness.
25th March 2021
My interview on loose women talking about why eating disorders support is needed now more than ever by sharing my lived experience.
LBC News Interview for World Mental Health Day
12th October 2020
Gemma has been interviewed by David Domb on LBC news to discuss SEED, the services we offer and why more needs to be done to support people with eating disorders
Raising Eating Disorder Awareness at Hull Tigers Trust
12th August 2020
Gemma has been at the Hull Tigers Trust using her own experience of anorexia to help staff there learn how to recognise the signs of eating disorders in young people.
Gemma on Optimus Wellbeing Podcast
3rd April 2020
Gemma recently appeared on the Optimus Wellbeing podcast to discuss eating disorders.
Have a listen, Gemma appears from approximately 13 minutes in.
https://blog.optimus-education.com/wellbeing-podcast-body-image-and-eating-disorders
The Importance of Friends and Cheerleaders
25th March 2020
Gemma talks about her experiences of bullying and its effects, before explaining the importance of being a good friend and a cheerleader to others.
Little video for school kids during COVID-19
20th March 2020
Pixl have asked me to film a video of support to all those who are now unable to take their gcses and exams and also have their schools closed.
I hope it helps in these uncertain times. Remember. We’ve got this!
Kate Leeson’s “I shouldn’t say this, but” Podcast Interview
24th February 2020
For anyone who has suffered or is suffering currently this podcast shows you that there is light at the end of the tunnel, prepare to be inspired.
Listen to Gemma on this episode of “I Shouldn’t Say This, But” to hear her discuss her 13 year battle with mental health.
Gemma discusses importance of SEED Toolkit
9th January 2020
Gemma discusses messages she has received and explains how important SEED and the toolkit are.
Dogs for Good Interview
19th December 2019
This year I had the privilege of being a key note speaker at the Power of dogs event in Cheshire for the amazing charity Dogs For Good. Here’s a little interview I did before my talk. It makes me smile so much.
Gemma Oaten on The Wright Stuff
11th November 2019
Gemma tells The Wright Stuff about how her parents “saved her life” to give her support to Eating Disorder Awareness Week.
Gemma Opens Up About Anorexia Battle – Lorraine
11th November 2019
Gemma and Marg Oaten talk about Gemma’s battle with anorexia and her struggle with bullies.
Gemma Oaten’s Battle with Anorexia – This Morning
11th November 2019
Gemma Oaten explains how she battled anorexia during her teenage years on This Morning.
Gemma Oaten – TEDx Talk
2nd September 2019
Actress Gemma Oaten’s poignant TEDx talk explores some of her own life experiences, and how she drew on ‘the dirt’ as an actress. Titled “The Girl in the mirror, the Woman on the Screen and the Reality of Eating Disorders”, Gemma shares the story of her own battle with anorexia and the advice of her therapist at drama school on trolling: “Words do hurt. They stick and they hurt. But we can use them to grow”.
Gemma describes her challenge playing Rachel in Emmerdale as her character went through a breakdown prior to leaving the show, which stretched her both professionally and emotionally.
Gemma also talks about SEED, the charity that her parents set up to help those affected by eating disorders.
Gemma’s talk concludes with the positive statement: We are all here for a greater purpose. And we are all meant to be here.
Back To School Bullying Video
2nd September 2015
Gemma Oaten stared in a video to support the Back2School bullying campaign. In her video, she talks about how bullying effected her life and anorexia as a young person growing up.
You can learn more about the Back2School campaign at www.antibullyingpro.com