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Telegraph Words Matter

Throughout Christmas 2018, Changing Faces teamed up with The Telegraph to give a voice to people who look different.

Throughout Christmas 2018, Changing Faces teamed up with The Telegraph to give a voice to people who look different.

The Telegraph Words Matter campaign reached over 2 million people in the UK on social media alone.

What was Words Matter?

The national newspaper featured over 20 stories from our visible difference community on topics. These ranged from appearance-related bullying and having a child with a cranio-facial condition, to taking selfies with a visible difference and baking with YouTube star Nikki Lilly.

Research shows direct links between media coverage and abuse, prejudice and even hate crime in Britain today. With this appeal, we challenged the everyday prejudice that fuels discrimination by providing a platform for people with visible differences to speak out on the key social challenges affecting them. Our aim: to change the conversation on what it’s really like to look different.

Changing Faces young champions and campaigners featured in this appeal film. Below you can read some of the stories from the 24 champions who shared their experiences as part of the appeal. Please note that the full stories are behind a paywall and are now only available to those who subscribe to The Telegraph.

“I wouldn’t want Benjamin any other way”

I used to think, ‘Why my baby?’ but now I wouldn’t have him any other way.

The Telegraph speaks to a family about being the parents of a child with a visible difference:

“When he goes to school I worry about things like bullying, but things have changed: schools seem more inclusive and open to discussing differences. We were introduced to the CEO of Changing Faces by Marie’s line manager and as well as accessing their support we want to use our experience to raise awareness of Benjamin’s condition, but also the issues we face as a family.

In the early days, I found the baby groups hard and used to think, ‘Why me?’ Whereas now I wouldn’t want Benjamin any other way. He’s different, yes, but so very special.”

You can read the full article on the Telegraph’s website.

“Why blend in when you can stand out?”

Nikki Lilly talks to the Telegraph about vlogging, living with a visible difference and baking for Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn:

“Yes, I have a visible difference and I am not perceived as perfect, but why do we have to be perfect – why blend in when you can stand out?

It is very hard when kids are so under-educated about people looking different. So what Changing Faces is trying to do is put a piece about people with facial differences on the PSHE [personal, social, health and economic education] curriculum.

I’d ask about my condition and how it makes me feel. I always prefer it when people talk to me, rather than just stare.”

You can read the full article on the Telegraph’s website.

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Face Equality Week

Face Equality Week is a time to raise awareness about the prejudice experienced by too many people with visible differences.