Support Groups

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SKIN CAMOUFLAGE

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.

Website: www.skin-camouflage.net
e-mail: info@skin-camouflage.net

CHANGING FACES

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

Website: www.changingfaces.org.uk
e-mail: info@changingfaces.org.uk (general enquiries)

iFACE

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

DERMNET NZ

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.

Website: www.dermnetnz.org

DISFIGUREMENT GUIDANCE CENTRE

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.

Website: www.timewarp.demon.co.uk
e-mail: skinlaser@totalise.co.uk

LET'S FACE IT SUPPORT NETWORK

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

Website: www.letsfaceit.force9.co.uk
e-mail: mike@letsfaceit.force9.net

OUTLOOK

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

e-mail: helen.skuse@north-bristol.swest.nhs.uk

PROTEUS FAMILY NETWORK

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

SKIN CAMOUFLAGE NETWORK

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.

Website: www.skincamouflagenetwork.co.uk
e-mail: enquiries@skincamouflagenetwork.org.uk

STURGE-WEBER FOUNDATION (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

Website: www.sturgeweber.org.uk
e-mail: support@sturgeweber.org.uk

www.birthmarks.net

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.

Website: www.birthmarks.net
e-mail: webmaster@birthmarks.net