Links to other Groups
This page contains links to other sites and support groups that also
cover aspects of birthmarks.
Support Groups
The British Association of Skin Camouflage
PO Box 202
Macclesfield
Cheshire
SK11 6FP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1625 267880
Fax: +44 (0)1625 267879
During the 1950's Joyce Allsworth researched and implemented the concept
of remedial skin camouflage within the United Kingdom. She went on to
form the British Association of Skin Camouflage in 1985 with the fourfold
mission to:
- Benefit the community by training professionals to the highest standard
in skin camouflage techniques whilst furthering their knowledge.
- Actively promote a change in attitudes towards disfigurement
- Support and help the patient's confidence by the skillfull application
of skin camouflage
- Continue to provide up to date information to parents and practitioners
The BASC will continue to promote, support and further the remedial techniques
of camouflage, helping patients to face the world - with confidence.
Web Site: www.skin-camouflage.net
e-mail: info@skin-camouflage.net
Changing Faces
The Squire Centre
33/37 University Street
London
WC1E 6JN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7706 4232
Fax: +44 (0)20 7706 4234
Changing Faces is a National Registered Charity No. 1011222 providing
free help, support and information for children (and their parents) and
adults who have any form of disfigurement. The aim is to build effective
coping strategies and self-confidence. It also works with healthcare professionals,
schools and others to promote awareness about disfigurement and its effects.
They offer: · Information and support and advice to anyone with a disfigurement
and their family in person, on the phone or by letter · Information
and advice for employers to encourage equal opportunities in the workplace
· Advice for health-care professionals in developing new models of health-care
Web Site: www.changingfaces.org.uk
e-mail: info@changingfaces.org.uk
(general enquiries)
Changing Faces also run a separate website focusing on young people aged
11-21 who are dealing with disfigurement of the face or body, from any
cause. It's a safe, welcoming online community where young people directly
and indirectly affected by disfigurement can discuss experiences > and
coping strategies. The site is called iFace and can be found at:
www.iface.org.uk
CYSTIC HYGROMA SUPPORT GROUP
Cystic Hygroma Support Group
Woodhill House
Cuckfield Lane
Warninglid
Haywards Heath
RH17 5SN
Tel: +44 (0)1444 461155
This is a Contact Group started in 1983. It offers: · Information about
the condition · Contact with other parents
The New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated.
This organisation's web site supplies comprehensive information about
dermatological conditions. The site map is particularly useful as it provides
an expansive alphabetical list of skin conditions including many birthmark
types.
Web Site: www.dermnetnz.org
DGC PO Box 7
Cupar
Fife
KY15 4NX
Scotland
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1337 870 281
Fax: +44 (0)1337 870 310
The Disfigurement Guidance Centre are a charitable organisation that
have been running for 30 years and provide information and support for
disfigured people.
Web Site: www.timewarp.demon.co.uk
e-mail: skinlaser@totalise.co.uk
Let's Face It Support Network
14 Fallowfield
Yateley
Camberley
GU46 6LW
Tel: +44 (0)1252 879630
Fax: +44 (0)1252 872633
The group is an off-shoot of Let's Face It which is a National Registered
Charity No. 1043461 founded in 1984. It offers: · Contact with other parents
and children with facial disfigurement · Encouragement through meeting
with others in the same position · Medical advice and contacts · Friendship
on a one-to-one basis · Linking of families, friends and professional
workers through regional groups · Help for people with facial disfigurement
to share experiences · Help for individuals to rebuild their lives following
facial disfigurement · Counselling both parents and children · Links with
other organisations in the UK and abroad · Education · Resources
Web Site: www.letsfaceit.force9.co.uk
e-mail: mike@letsfaceit.force9.net
Outlook
Ward 22
Frenchay Hospital
Bristol
BS16 1LE
Tel: +44 (0)117 975 3889
Fax: +44 (0)117 975 3891
Outlook is a NHS Service offering support and help for people of all
ages who are coming to terms with a different or unusual appearance or
a disfigurement. They offer a counselling service, summer groups and individual
sessions to help you: · Handle bullies · Handle staring/questions · Make
new friends · Feel brighter and more confident. You can be referred to
Outlook by your GP, Consultant, School Doctor, Health Visitor, Social
Worker, Teacher or any relevant professional. Write to Julia Cadogan,
Chartered Clinical Psychologist at Outlook For adults that wish to use
the service, referrals should be made to: Natty Leitner, Chartered Clinical
Psychologist at Outlook
Web Site: www.northbristol.nhs.co.uk/depts/SurgicalServices/Outlook/
e-mail: helen.skuse@north-bristol.swest.nhs.uk
Proteus Family Network
31 Baswich Lane
Weeping Cross
Stafford
ST17 0BH
Tel: +44 (0)1785 254953
The Proteus Family Network was founded in 1997. It offers: · Support
by telephone and letter · Information on the condition · Linking families
e-mail: JHarr88251@aol.com
The National Association of Practitioners in Skin Camouflage
The Skin Camouflage Network has established a nationwide directory of
professionally qualified members from medical, beauty therapy, Red Cross
and academic backgrounds whose services are available both through the
National Health Service and privately.
Skin camouflage represents a quick, inexpensive, non-invasive treatment,
which, in helping to lessen the impact of most disfiguring skin conditions,
helps to significantly reduce patients' distress. Skin camouflage can
be employed to cover, conceal and mask at surface level, with the application
of specially formulated creams. This website will deliver information
of national and international events, seminars, workshops, support groups,
latest news, updates, products and awareness amongst the medical profession,
pharmacists and the patients.
Web Site: www.skincamouflagenetwork.org.uk
e-mail: enquiries@skincamouflagenetwork.org.uk
Sturge-Weber Foundation (UK)
Burleigh
348 Pinhoe Road
Exeter
EX4 8AF
Tel: +44 (0)1392 464675
The Foundation is a National Registered Charity No. 1016688 formed in
1990. It offers: · Support for families affected by the condition · Information
and advice on the condition
Web Site: www.sturgeweber.org.uk
e-mail: support@sturgeweber.org.uk
www.birthmarks.net is an american web site run by Michael Steffano who
has a a facial port wine stain. Michael set up the site to supply information
and support for people with birthmarks. In the same way that the Birthmark
Support Group reflects a UK perspective on treatment and information,
Michael's site reflects the american viewpoint. Its reach, however is
international. It contains a considerable amount of information and is
regularly updated. It also hosts a newsgroup where participants can discuss
all issues around birthmarks.
Web Site: www.birthmarks.net
e-mail: webmaster@birthmarks.net
Useful Web Sites
Great Ormond Street's mission is to improve the health of children by
being the foremost centre of excellence in Europe for specialist paediatric
services and for research, evaluation and education in the field of child
health. The site is designed for clinical and research professionals.
If you are a member of the public, please visit the about us page for
more general information about our work. The Dermatology Speciality listed
within the Clinical Services Directory contains details of the Consultants
and Clinics that deal with birthmarks.
Web Site: www.ich.ucl.ac.uk
The British Association of Dermatologists have set up this web site to
provide reliable information about the skin and skin diseases. It contains
an information sheet on Strawberry Marks and Port Wine Stains.
Web Site: www.bad.org.uk
Patient UK is a directory of UK websites that provide information on
health, disease and illness.
Web Site: www.patient.co.uk
Contact a Family (CaF) is the only UK charity that provides support and
advice to parents whatever the medical condition of their child.
Web Site: www.cafamily.org.uk
Contact a Family offer a freephone helpline for parents of children with
a disability or medical condition.
The national helpline number is 0808 808 3555. Opening hours are 10:00am
- 4:00pm, Monday to Friday
The freephone service acts as a one-stop information and advice centre.
It has several aims:
- To provide information on disabling and medical conditions, together
with advice on many of the key issues facing parents such as benefits,
special educational needs and respite. All medical information produced
by Contact a Family is written be leading doctors and paediatricians,
specifically for parents and families.
- To put parents in touch with local information services and support
groups and other specialist voluntary organisations.
- To put families in touch on a one-to-one basis. Many parents want
to speak individually with families. This is particularly important
for families caring for a child with a rare condition where there may
not be a support network.
- To provide a sympathetic listening ear. Many parents, particularly
when they have just received a diagnosis for their child, wish to talk
things through.
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