Mental health pioneer Sam Clark-Stone honoured by University of Gloucestershire

Respected mental health nurse and eating disorders specialist Sam Clark-Stone has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy by University of Gloucestershire.

This award recognises his outstanding national contribution to the field of mental health and his long-standing support for students and preventative wellbeing work in Gloucestershire.

Receiving his Honorary Doctorate today at one of the University’s 2025 Graduation Ceremonies being held this week at Cheltenham Racecourse, Sam said:

“I was shocked and excited to receive news of being awarded an honorary doctorate by University of Gloucestershire. It feels like the ‘cherry on the cake’ of a career in the NHS that began in 1978 when I was 18.

“Since 1986, I have specialised in eating disorders and I moved to Gloucestershire in 1996 to design, initiate and develop eating disorders services. I retired as Lead Clinician of the Gloucestershire all age Eating Disorders Service a year ago, the service having gone from just me, to over 50 staff.

“Throughout my career, I have tried to notice where change is needed and have focused on implementing and evaluating that change. I have been extremely lucky to work with commissioners and colleagues who supported that work.

“I was particularly pleased to work with colleagues from Public Health, the University of the West of England and then University of Gloucestershire to introduce the Body Project locally. Gloucestershire was the first area in the UK to introduce this evidence-based primary prevention intervention to be routinely facilitated in education settings.

“Despite never having been to university myself, I have had a lifelong love of learning and a commitment to sharing learning with others through teaching and the organisation of training events. This award therefore has special meaning for me.”

As co-founder and chair of the British Eating Disorders Society (BrEDS), Sam helped build a national network of more than 3,000 professionals, providing free training and resources to improve understanding and treatment of eating disorders across the UK.

Sam began specialising in eating disorders in 1986, and a decade later moved to Gloucestershire to lead a county-wide health needs assessment and strategy to improve early intervention and staff training. His innovative, patient-centred approach transformed care in the region and has influenced best practice nationally.

In 2008, Sam developed pioneering group day treatment and home treatment programmes, enabling adults and adolescents to recover within their communities and families. The initiative reduced hospital admissions by 70% and bed use by 50%, and was recognised by Beat, the national eating disorders charity, as a flagship service.

A national trainer for the Eating Disorders Association, Sam designed Gloucestershire’s Day Treatment Programme after visiting the world’s first eating disorder day programme in Toronto, Canada, later publishing research on its outcomes.

Sam has also been instrumental in the development of The Body Project Gloucestershire, a preventative intervention promoting body confidence and positive body image among young people. Working in partnership with clinicians, academics, and the University, the project engages students, school staff and communities, with University students gaining hands-on experience through a flagship placement scheme Sam helped to create.

In recognition of his exceptional work, Sam received the Lifetime Achievement Award for the South West in the 2022 NHS Parliamentary Awards.