Body Gossip

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Body Gossip is an organization founded in 2006 and run by Ruth Rogers and Natasha Devon[1][2] which campaigns on body image issues, regardless of shape, size, race, gender or age.[3][4][5] Body Gossip's Gossip School body image education programme won the 2011-12 'Business hero - Heroic SME' award.[6] Between them, Body Gossip and The Self-Esteem Team, also founded by Devon, visit three schools each week and have provided classes to over 50,000 teenagers; they also provide sessions for parents and teachers.[1][7][8]

History

Body Gossip was first mentioned in the press in 2009, when the Daily Mail published an article about cosmetic surgery for teens.[9][10]

In 2012, Body Gossip: The Book was published by Rickshaw Publishing which was an anthology of over 300 short pieces from celebrities and others relating to body image issues.[11][12] It was co-authored by the organisation's co-founders, Rogers and Devon, together with Gok Wan.[13] Body Gossip has also organised performances of sketches and monologues on a wide range of body image issues, including dermatillomania.[14] On 28 November 2012, students from the Manor School in Arbury, Cambridge performed in front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in an event organised by the Body Gossip education programme.[15][16]

Rogers' and Devon's work with Body Gossip won them the 'Ultimate Campaigners' award at the UK edition of Cosmopolitan's Ultimate Women of the Year Awards 2012.[17]

In 2013, Body Gossip organised a flash mob on the South Bank in London. Participants were given paper hearts on which they were asked to write what they loved about their body; they then displayed the hearts simultaneously at 1 p.m. Ruth Rogers said of the event: "Too many people don't have anything that they love about their bodies, and we thought we should try to encourage them to really look at themselves and go 'you're gorgeous'. We're bombarded every single day with negative imagery and unattainable perfection. No matter what you feel that you should look like, you look like you, and you can be the best version of you. You're your own brand of gorgeous." [18] In the same year, writer Jane Martinson noted in a blog for The Guardian: "Statistics from campaigners Body Gossip suggest one in 10 young people will develop an eating disorder before they reach the age of 25 (with 1.6 million currently officially diagnosed in the UK ); three children in a typical British classroom are self-harming and 30 per cent of boys and 70 per cent of girls aged 11-19 cite their relationship with their body their number one worry."[19] Body Gossip was part of an all-day event in London held to celebrate the 2013 United Nations International Day of the Girl; the organisation provided theatre and film performances based on stories submitted by members of the public.[19]

References

  1. 1 2 Sally Weale Education correspondent (4 May 2016). "Mental health champion for UK schools axed after criticising government". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  2. ↑ Mullender, Rosie (12 June 2015). "Cosmo's Natasha Devon receives MBE for services to Mental Health". Cosmopolitan (UK). Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "Home". Body Gossip. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  4. ↑ Sandwell, Ian (2012-11-21). "Body Gossip interview: 'Advertising tries to make you feel insecure'". Digitalspy.com. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  5. ↑ "Body Gossip: The body image revolution - At Home magazine: celebrities, fashion, lifestyle and competitions". At Home magazine. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  6. ↑ "Mental Healthy Award Winners: 2011 - 2012 Mental Health Hero Winners". Mental Healthy. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  7. ↑ Scott, Raymond (10 May 2016). "UK Gov’t Ousts Mental Health ‘Champion’ After Testing Criticism". Education News. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  8. ↑ Department for Education; Department of Health; The Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP; Sam Gyimah MP (30 August 2015), Press release: First ever mental health champion for schools unveiled, Her Majesty’s Government, retrieved 6 May 2016
  9. ↑ Diamond, Anne (2009-05-04). "'Teens having boob jobs on the NHS is crazy': Anne Diamond says we must learn to love our flaws | Daily Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  10. ↑ Lewis, Anna (2012-09-20). "Body Gossip's Great British Bodies competition winners". Cosmopolitan.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  11. ↑ "Body Gossip – The Be Real Campaign". Berealcampaign.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  12. ↑ Holland, Sinead (2012-09-10). "Stars gather for launch of Body Gossip book | Herts & Essex Observer". Hertsandessexobserver.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  13. ↑ Rogers, Ruth; Devon, Natasha; Wan, Gok (6 September 2012). Body Gossip: The Book. Rickshaw Publishing. ISBN 978-0956536846.
  14. ↑ North, Jon (15 May 2012). "Review: Body Gossip at the Bridge". Wessex Scene. Southampton. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  15. ↑ Nissim, Mayer (27 November 2012). "Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to watch Body Gossip performance". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  16. ↑ "Jack cast member celebrates Cosmopolitan award". Nottingham Playhouse. 14 December 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  17. ↑ "Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards 2012; The Winners!". Cosmopolitan UK edition. 31 October 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  18. ↑ Hawken, Antonia (28 June 2013). "Body Gossip: The Flashmob". Cosmopolitan UK edition. London. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  19. 1 2 Martinson, Jane (11 October 2013). "Body Gossip puts spotlight on models and body image". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
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