Richy Harries, founder of the Mindfulness Project Wrexham, said several parents contacted him over Christmas about children and relatives showing signs of anorexia.
The free anorexia awareness and mental health day will take place on Sunday, February 22 from 12pm to 3pm at Pentre Broughton Bowls Club, LL11 6PE, next to Brynteg Memorial Centre.
It comes just ahead of Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2026, which runs from February 23 to March 1 and aims to highlight the realities of living with eating disorders while encouraging earlier intervention.
Anorexia Awareness event hosted by the Wrexham Mindfulness Project (Image: Richy Harries)
Richy said: “I’ve had several parents coming to me regarding their children and relatives who are struggling with an eating disorder.
“There hasn’t been anything highlighted in Wrexham like this, and it was something I really wanted to do.”
He believes eating disorders are not spoken about as openly as other issues.
“There’s a lot of awareness for addiction and general mental health, but not specifically around anorexia,” he said.
“There are professionals and services in Wrexham, but it’s not publicised enough. This event may encourage someone to go to the doctors.”
Richy Harries, founder of the Wrexham Mindfulness Project (Image: Richy Harries)
Richy said he has seen a noticeable rise in people asking for guidance: “Families are reaching out for advice because they’re seeing warning signs and don’t always know what to do next.”
The event is open to men, women and children and has been designed as an informal, welcoming space rather than a clinical setting.
Visitors can expect guest speakers, free hot and cold drinks, food donated by Top Nosh and a visit from the Vanilla Ice ice cream van. Darts and table tennis will also be available.
“A relaxed approach will attract people,” Richy said. “It can take courage just to walk into somewhere new.
“That’s why we’ve made it free. No one should have to pay to improve their mental health, and the Wrexham community has been brilliant in supporting this.”
Guest speaker Andy Nicholls, a dad from Mold, will share his family’s experience of supporting his daughter through an eating disorder.
Andy Nicholls, guest speaker at the Anorexia Awareness event (Image: Richy Harries)
Richy explained: “Andy has written several books and has been on the James English podcast. When I found out his daughter had an eating disorder, I contacted him and he said yes straight away.
“He’s been a great support to the Mindfulness Project and will talk openly about how it affected the whole family, what services they used and the process they went through.”
Richy hopes the event will help break stigma and prompt more open conversations locally.
“We need more awareness, more people talking and more events like this,” he said.
There is no cost to attend and no booking required. For those unable to make the event, support is available through the Mindfulness Project Wrexham via Facebook, X and TikTok, or by emailing mindfulnessprojectwxm@gmail.com.
“If you suspect someone is struggling, seek professional help,” Richy added. “And remember, you’re not alone, we’re here to support you.”
