About us.
We are a specialist eating disorder clinic offering intensive day treatment and outpatient services in person and online.
Our approach enables meaningful treatment, positive outcomes and sustainable recovery.
The meaning behind “Orri”
The word “orri” originated in the Eastern Pyrenees and refers to an enclosure traditionally used to shelter sheep and shepherds from the elements.
An orri has an opening that allows those in need of shelter to travel in and out as they wish, taking protection when needed and travelling onwards when they are ready.
At Orri, we welcome clients who wish to take shelter during times of challenge. Our door is open so that travellers on their eating disorder recovery journey can visit when in need, and leave to continue onwards when they are ready.
We are an impact-led organisation
Social impact companies exist to make tangible change in the community. This means that we prioritise work that consciously, systematically and sustainably serves the community or solves a community need.
Creating impactful change for eating disorders
The prevalence of people with serious eating disorders that require specialist treatment is increasing in the UK and beyond.
Yet referral waiting times, underfunding, and a lack of education in eating disorders often means that people don’t receive the help that they truly need and can wait up to three years into their illness before getting support.
Our social impact initiative is focused on extending the expertise of our team beyond the Zoom calls and walls of our London clinic to improve early intervention and reach those who – for whatever reason – may not be able to access Orri or specialist eating disorder treatment.
We do this by connecting with the eating disorder community through different touchpoints and platforms, such as our bi-weekly newsletter, creating downloadable workbooks on our website, hosting frequent Instagram Lives and free webinars with our specialist team, and sharing social posts and Instagram stories that speak directly to the lived experience of an eating disorder, and all the questions and concerns that might come alongside this.
One fifth (19%) of women and one in eight men (13%) screened positive for a possible eating disorder in England.
What we know
Between 1.5 million and 2.4 million people suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder in the UK.
Young LGBT+ people are three times more likely to have previously had an eating disorder or still be suffering from one
Early intervention saves lives
We know that to improve early intervention and access to treatment, we need to improve education around eating disorders.
Since we opened in 2018, we’ve met with and trained multiple university wellbeing teams and GPs in eating disorders, highlighting their risk and sharing practical and helpful tips for having difficult conversations and engaging people who may be very ambivalent or nervous about receiving support.
We want to empower people to feel confident to ask the right questions and have conversations around eating disorders, as well as equip people with the skills and knowledge they need to support a loved one or signpost for specialist help.
FAQs
Orri Online is a virtual day treatment programme delivered face-to-face via video, with therapy, meal support, and community connection.
It offers the same evidence-based therapies and structure as in-person care, delivered virtually for accessibility.
A stable internet connection, a private space, and a device with camera and microphone are needed.
Online Day Care may be suitable for young people aged 13–17 who need more structured and intensive support for an eating disorder than can be provided through standard outpatient care, but who can be safely supported within their home and community. Every young person is assessed individually to understand their needs, risks and circumstances before we recommend the most appropriate level of support.
During the most intensive stage of Online Day Care, a young person may need to step away from school or college for a short period to focus on stabilisation and recovery. During this time, Orri can liaise with teachers and other relevant professionals, with appropriate consent, as part of a coordinated multidisciplinary approach. As recovery progresses, the intensity of treatment can be gradually reduced. This allows education and other aspects of everyday life to be reintroduced at a pace that reflects the young person’s clinical needs and capacity. We work collaboratively with families, schools and other professionals to help treatment fit around a young person’s existing circumstances, which may include flexible timetables or a phased return to school. Our aim is to support recovery while helping young people maintain the routines, relationships and activities that are important to them.
Our clients follow a structured programme of therapeutic groups, supported meals and individual sessions, with regular breaks throughout the day. Full-day sessions run from 10:15am to 4pm, while part-day options are available depending on each person’s needs, circumstances and clinical assessment. Individual psychological therapy, dietetics and occupational therapy are woven into the timetable where needed.
Parents and carers are an important part of recovery. We provide guidance and practical strategies to help families understand the eating disorder, communicate openly and feel more confident supporting recovery at home. Family Therapy can be added to any programme to offer a deeper level of support alongside your loved one. A variety of support groups are also available across our programmes to offer additional support.