Policy into practice Facial disfigurement
Anne Longfield
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The issue: More than one in every 100 people in the UK has a visual difference or disfigurement to their face.
Disfigurements such as a cleft lip, Crouzon's or Apert's syndromes are present from birth while skin conditions such as vitiligo, acne or eczema may develop over time. Other disfigurements can occur as a result of accidents or treatments for illnesses.
Whatever the cause, facial disfigurement can have a serious effect on a young person's self-confidence, particularly when they may also be contending with feelings of self-consciousness caused by puberty.
With anti-bullying week coming up next month, it is important to examine and address the negative prejudices surrounding young people's appearances and to raise awareness of some organisations offering invaluable support to these young people.
CASE STUDY 1
Changing Faces is a leading facial disfigurement charity that supports and represents people with disfigurements of the face or body. It has a dedicated Young People's Council made up entirely of 14- to 25-year-olds who contribute in the development of services for children and young people with disfigurements.
One of its many achievements includes creating www.iface.org.uk, a website for young people aged 11 to 21 with over 260 registered users. Through iFace, young people can discuss disfigurement, give and get advice, and share personal stories.
On Mondays and Wednesdays young people can also get in touch via an email counselling service or talk to one of the website's online advisers.
CASE STUDY 2
The Birthmark Support Group provides support and information to anyone who has a birthmark, and aims to support not only the person with the birthmark, but the whole family.
The charity supports almost 1,000 members and is run entirely by volunteers. It works to ensure a better understanding about different types of birthmarks, to aid research into the cause of birthmarks, and to raise general awareness and acceptance. Much of its work focuses on educating both teachers and pupils about birthmarks to ensure joined-up support and to end any prejudices surrounding them.
In support of this concern it has a dedicated group called TeenTalk for members aged from 11 to 21. TeenTalk publishes a newsletter, which is packed with letters and stories from young people, information on the charity's fun days, and articles on issues affecting young people with birthmarks.
Anne Longfield is chief executive of 4Children
