Changing Faces

"World Vitiligo Day means so much to me. I remember how alone I felt after I was diagnosed. I didn't have community or people who truly understood. Today, I'm proud to be part of an amazing community and it's shown me the power of connection.

"If you're struggling with self-acceptance my advice to you is this: don't struggle in silence and don't suffer alone. Find your support network. Having people you can talk to can really make all the difference.

"You can learn more by joining the Changing Faces webinar on 2 July, which is all about skin camouflage. Whether you're new to skin camouflage, thinking about it, or want to learn more, the webinar is a great session to get practical advice, ask questions, and hear from the experts. You can really get the opportunity to connect with others who understand. We hope to see you there."

In partnership with The Vitiligo Society we’re running a webinar about skin camouflage options for people with vitiligo and the support available.

Our webinar is free to attend and open to anyone with vitiligo. Please do share our event with your communities.

Learn more: https://changingfaces.tfaforms.net/307

"Being q***r is hard enough to reckon with for a lot of people, whether that be due to internalised stigma or family and community disapproval.

📢 New online support group for LGBTQIA+ people with visible differences.

If you've ever felt isolated, judged, or like you don't fully belong in q***r spaces, join us this Thursday at our group support session "Finding belonging as an LGBTQIA+ person with a visible difference."

Campaigner Beau shares their experiences:

"Having a visible difference on top of that places you even further outside society’s standards and expectations, which can feel incredibly isolating and difficult to know where you fit into the world.

"My main message would be that you are not alone. There are so many people out there who are like you, who understand how being q***r and having a visible difference can impact your self-esteem and sense of belonging. Also, you will grow to accept and appreciate all facets of yourself, and you will find people that love you for them and not despite them."

Join us: https://social.changingfaces.org.uk/j0tSdh

“If I could go back and speak to my younger self, I’d tell her that she was always worthy of love.”

Joanne grew up thinking marriage wasn’t something meant for her. Now, she’s planning her wedding after meeting someone who loves her exactly as she is.

“I’m Joanne, and I was born with a cleft nose. I always struggled with my confidence, and I genuinely believed no one would ever fully want me.

“I remember watching my friends get their first boyfriends while I’d never had one. I built this idea up in my head that if a boy ever had to choose between me and a girl with a “normal” nose, he would always pick her.

“As I got older, I did end up having relationships, but my mindset never really changed. I was vulnerable and I settled more than I should have.

“Everything changed when I met Jamie.

“He loves me properly, unconditionally, and being with him made me feel safe and secure in myself in a way I never had before. He didn’t just accept me, he helped me start to accept myself too.

“We got engaged in 2024, and we’re getting married in August 2027 in a beautiful castle. It honestly feels like a fairytale.

“Even things like photos feel completely different now. I used to hate having my picture taken because I couldn’t control how I looked or hide behind angles or filters. Now, I’m actually excited for our wedding photos. I can’t wait for those moments to be captured.

“I really believe everyone can find their person. Being different doesn’t make you any less deserving of a happy life.”

Joanne’s love story: https://social.changingfaces.org.uk/vcSeWV

📢 New online support group for LGBTQIA+ people with visible differences.

If you've ever felt isolated, judged, or like you don't fully belong in q***r spaces, this group is for you.

Research from with 75 LGBTQIA+ young people shows that holding multiple marginalised identities can create unique and intensified experiences of exclusion.

Many participants described feeling “different from everyone” - not fully belonging in cis/straight spaces or q***r spaces. Appearance standards within LGBTQIA+ communities, fear of judgement, and painful rejection in dating and social settings were also common experiences.

We're bringing together q***r people with visible differences to connect, share experiences, and support one another in a space where both identities are understood.

Talking with others who understand both communities, we hope to empower you and ensure your voice is heard.

If this all sounds familiar, we'd love you to join us. Sign up: https://social.changingfaces.org.uk/j0tSdh