Australian Enterprise Awards 2026 | 35 Founded by Mark and Gay Forbes, endED is a safe space offering support to those affected by eating issues or an eating disorder. Based at its House of Hope in Woombye on the Sunshine Coast, the nonprofit organisation provides compassionate service, connection, and tools to complement evidencebased treatments. Its team use their lived experience to softly promote hope, guide each individual in their unique recovery journey, and show them that recovery is possible. The endED story begins with Mark and Gay Forbes and their dedicated efforts to acquire support for their two daughters living with eating disorders. Finding that the support their family needed wasn’t available in Australia, they soon realised they weren’t the only ones. They set about launching the first endED support group, opening up their home each fortnight to other parents and carers with a loved one experiencing an eating disorder. Mark and Gay soon found themselves surrounded by a community – and they had a vision for a new way to treat people living with an eating disorder in Australia. From there, Mark found the perfect 25-acre property in Mooloolah Valley to serve as a base for this venture. The family put their own home on the market to finance the purchase of the property, while also seeking help from the local community. Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson soon introduced Mark and Gay to Roy and Nola Thompson, who also had experience of and understood the struggle that comes with eating disorders. Without hesitation, Roy took an endED business card from Mark before turning to his wife and saying, “Nola, we just bought this guy’s business card for $1 million.” The property was settled within two days, and that’s when members of the community continued to step forward, each playing their own key role in this project. Local Federal MP Andrew Wallace shared his own family’s eating disorder story, and he soon invited Mark to meet the Prime Minister, the Treasurer, and Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, where he had the opportunity to pitch for construction funding. Meanwhile, back on the Coast, endED’s campaign for community assistance saw 30 local businesses donate money, materials, and expertise to make it happen. For the first 18 months, Mark and Gay opted to live onsite with their granddaughter, Ruby, and Mark took on the role of project manager for the entirety of the project. Furthermore, BA Murphy became Principal Contractor on a cost only basis, enabling significant savings through pro bono and in-kind support. Last but not least, it was announced by Minister Hunt and Andrew Wallace that the Federal Government would contribute, pledging $2 million to endED and the endED Butterfly House, which became Australia’s first national residential eating disorder treatment facility. Andrew Wallace also announced a further $70 million to ensure each State in Australia could have their own residential, there are now 5 facilities in Australia. The Sunshine Coast residential, now known as Wandi Nerida, is operated by the Butterfly Foundation, endED resigned from the WN operating board in 2020. It is with thanks to each of the local businesses and the Federal Government of Sunshine Coast Council that endED is what it is today: a real community project that continues to unite the Sunshine Coast for an important cause. In 2020, endED purchased its House of Hope, which sits on 2.7 acres and aims to be an inclusive, safe, comfortable, and home-like location for all who need it, while the team continue to expand on their lived experience, expertise, and community offerings. endED programs include:Community Connection Group, where individuals can come together to take part in grounding, mindful activities such as painting, cooking, collaging, and letter writing; Counselling with accredited counsellors to complement treatment; two separate EmpowerED Pathways Group Programmes each for individuals and parents and carers, featuring a nutrition education workshop, dinner and connection break, and recovery support group; and GatherED – Meal Support Group, a supportive space for social eating, navigating food challenges, and trying different foods. For more information about endED or to get in touch, please visit the website. Company name: endED Ltd Email: [email protected] Website: www.ended.org.au Most Impactful Mental Health Support NPO 2026 - Queensland
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