The Butterfly Foundation was founded in August 2002 by Claire Vickery who found many 'gaps' in the public health system for those experiencing eating disorders. The Foundation is a community based charitable organisation that supports eating disorder sufferers and their carers through direct financial relief, advocacy, awareness campaigns, health promotion and early intervention work, professional training in primary and secondary schools and supporting eating disorder and body image research.

The granting of tax deductible status as a Public Benevolent Institution by the Australian Tax Office in January 2003 illustrates the increasing awareness within the community that eating disorders are a growing problem affecting people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds and are in need of urgent reform.

Please click on the links below to access our latest annual report. If you would like to receive a copy of our 2006-2007 financial report please email brian@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au

Annual Report 2006 - 2007 (PDF)

What we do

The Butterfly Foundation provides support for Australians experiencing eating disorders and negative body image issues and their carers through:

• 'Direct Relief' for treatment and support
• Telephone & online support
• Health promotion programs in schools and the broader community
• Enhancing and developing effective treatment options
• Advocacy and awareness
• Supporting rural and regional eating disorder networks
• The Southern/Health Butterfly Day Program for young people with eating disorders

Objectives

The Objectives of the Butterfly Foundation are -

• To promote positive body image
• To encourage hope and help seeking through education and awareness
• To advocate excellence and consistency in the culture of care and support for people with eating disorders
• To encourage a recognition of the complexities of eating disorders and the need for a compassionate and holistic response
• To provide direct relief to facilitate access to effective treatment and support
• To connect the community, health providers, government and other support agencies to assist in excellence and consistency in the culture of care
• To pioneer the development of effective models of care for people with eating disorders
• To partner with organisations in achieving the vision of The Butterfly Foundation
• To support research programs in areas relevant to wellbeing and positive body image