Bee-keeping courses for children with anorexia and bulimia

Bee-keeping is being used for the first time to tackle eating disorders in children.

A London school is pioneering the classes which are aimed at helping children as young as 11.

The Ellern Mede School in Barnet is running the project backed by a grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

The school teaches children from all over the country who are receiving inpatient care for issues such as anorexia and bulimia.

Headteacher Adel Shirbini said the aim was to encourage pupils to develop a more positive attitude towards eating and see how food is produced in the natural environment.

Mr Shirbini, who is a keen beekeeper, said: “This is a new idea for us but I’m sure it will help our kids by giving them a greater interest in healthy food [and] where it comes from and bees will help to stimulate their interest. Many of our pupils are very driven academically and this is a more relaxing way for them also to learn about sustainability and the environment. There’s a natural cycle with bees which is interesting for the children and the honey they produce will be collected and used in our kitchens.”

Figures published this week revealed a 16 per cent rise in the number of children admitted to hospital with eating disorders.

The Barnet scheme will focus on 11- to 18-year-olds who are being treated at the Ellern Mede Centre, which sees up to 20 inpatients at a time and is known for its pioneering approach towards eating disorders.

The children involved in the bee therapy will visit the five hives based at the Lawrence Street Allotments. The hives have been designed like houses to make them more “child-friendly”.

The aim of the project is for children to develop a healthier relationship with food.

They will also plant fruit trees at the allotments and the produce will be used in the school kitchens.

Beekeeping has become a popular hobby for Londoners who have set up urban hives.