Sources of support for people with appearance concerns

We're unable to provide direct support, although there are many organisations below that can. You can also view a selection of support forums.

Adult Burn Support UK
A website funded by Dan's Fund for Burns that signposts users to the most helpful resources and information on the aftercare/support available to burn-injured adults in the UK.

Allergy UK
Patient information service for people with all types of allergies including skin allergies.

Alopecia UK
Help, support and advice for people with alopecia and all hair loss conditions.

Am I Normal?
Aims to inspire, support and inform young people on a range of topics, from developing self-confidence to knowing the best ways to stay safe online.

Be Real Body Confidence Campaign
Information to promote body confidence.

Beat
Beat provides helplines, online support and a network of UK-wide self-help groups to help adults and young people in the UK beat their eating disorders.

Behcet’s Syndrome Society
Represents Behçet’s disease patients and their carers in the UK and supports people who think they may have Behçet’s disease.

Bell's Palsy Association
Help and information for people with Bell’s Palsy.

Birthmark Support Group
Support group for people with birthmarks.

Breast Cancer Care
Support, information and advice for those with or recovering from breast cancer.

British Acoustic Neuroma Association (BANA)
Offers information and advice to people with acoustic neuroma, and offers local support groups.

British Association of Dermatologists
Fact sheets on general dermatological conditions.

BUGS (Burns Unit Group Support)
Post-hospital support for burns patients in the south of England.

Caring Matters Now
Information and support for those affected by Congenital Melanocytic Naevi.

Childhood Eye Cancer Trust
Support for people affected by retinoblastoma.

Changing Faces
A UK charity that supports and represents people who have disfigurements of the face or body from any cause.

Children's Burns Trust (CBT)
Provide information and support for burned and scald injured children and their families as well as prevention and awareness campaigns.

Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA)
Provides information, advice and practical support to people with and affected by cleft lip and/or palate in the UK.

Cystic Hygroma and Lymphangioma Support Group UK
Support group for children and adults with lymphatic malformations (Cystic hygroma or lymphangioma).

DebRA
Helps people with epidermolysis bullosa and researches cures.

Dan's Fund for Burns
Offering practical help to burn survivors in the UK.

Ectodermal Dysplasia Society
A charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people whose lives are affected by ectodermal dysplasia and supporting individuals, families and professionals worldwide.

Ehlers-Danlos Support UK
Provides information, support and advice.

Facial Palsy UK
Support for people living with facial paralysis.

Goldenhar UK
Information and support services for families who have children with Goldenhar Syndrome.

Headlines Craniofacial Support
Support and advice for people with any form of craniofacial condition or syndrome.

Herpes Viruses Association (SPHERE) and Shingles Support Society
Treatment information and self-help tips for those suffering from shingles, cold sores and herpes-related viruses.

Hyperhidrosis UK
Dedicated to helping hyperhidrosis sufferers get the answers they need.

Ichthyosis Support Group
Promotes the welfare of children and adults affected by ichthyosis.

Lantern online body image programme
A CBT-based body image and eating disorder prevention programme accessible for women and girls (this is a programme evaluated by Stanford and Washington State University).

Let's Face It
Information, advice and support for people with facial differences and their families

Limbless Association
Provides information, advice and support for those with amputations. Also provides access to local user groups.

Little People UK
Offering friendship, support and advice to all little people in the UK.

Lupus UK
Advice, help and support to people affected by lupus, including condition discoid lupus.

Macmillan Cancer Support
Provides practical, medical and financial support for those affected by cancer.

Men Get Eating Disorders Too
Support groups and advocacy for men with eating disorders.

Microtia Mingle UK
A support group for children, families and adults affected by Microtia.

National Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Society
Provides information and advice to those with AS. Also offers a forum for patients.

National Eczema Society
Support and advice to people with eczema.

Nevus Outreach
Offers support and information for people affected by congenital melanocytic nevi.

Off the Record
A Bristol and South Gloucestershire-based service for young people up to the age of 25 which offers confidential counselling and support.

Psoriasis Association
Advice, help and support to people suffering from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance (PAPAA)
UK registered charity dedicated to helping people affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Royal National Institute of Blind People
Support and services for people living with sight loss. 

Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK
Information and support to people affected by Raynaud's and scleroderma.

Self esteem – Dove UK
For evidence-based resources for teachers, parents and youth leaders on how to support adolescents to have positive body image.

Skin Care Cymru
Patient support group for those with any skin condition in Wales.

Sturge Weber UK
Information and support group for families and adults affected by Sturge Weber syndrome.

Talk Acne
Offers support, advice and information to those affected by acne or rosacea.

The Arthrogryposis Group
Offers support and advice to those with arthrogryposis. 

The Katie Piper Foundation
Advice, information and support for people with burns and scars.

The Lymphoedema Support Network
Provide information and support to patients with lymphoedema.

The National Artificial Eye Service
Manufacturing and fitting service for the supply of ocular prostheses.

The Neuro Foundation
Support, advice and help for people affected by neurofibromatosis.

The Pituitary Foundation
Support, information and networks for anyone affected by pituitary conditions.

Thyroid Eye Disease charitable trust (TEDct)
Provides information, care and support to people with thyroid eye disease and offers a network of support groups.

The Vitiligo Society
Information, help and support for people with vitiligo.

The Body Project
Evidence-based eating disorder prevention and body acceptance programme for adolescent girls and young adult women.

The Youth Cancer Trust
Youth Cancer Trust provides free therapeutic wellbeing holidays and secure online support for teenagers and young adults (aged 14 to 30) living with and beyond cancer. The holidays take place in Dorset.

Versus Arthritis
Provides support and information for people with all forms of arthritis.

Vulval Pain Society
Information and support about lichen sclerosis.

Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) Family Support Group
Support, help and information to those affected by xeroderma pigmentosum and other photosensitive conditions.

Online support forums

Adult Burn Support UK Forum
An online discussion forum for those affected by burn injury to share experiences and support each other. A once a week moderated live online chat is in development and will be available before the end of 2018.

Carers UK forum
An online community for young carers, and a space for friendship, advice, support and fun.

Big White Wall
An online community of people who are anxious, down or not coping who support and help each other.

HealthUnlocked Changing Faces
For people and families who have any condition or injury that affects their appearance.

LostEye
Discussion and support for those who have lost an eye to whatever cause or who have monocular vision.

The Psoriasis Club Forum
A small friendly group of people sharing information and support.