I had never heard of Changing Faces before applying for this role and I discovered the position by chance while browsing for part-time opportunities. For years, I’d been meaning to reduce my hours from full-time work but had never got round to it. After my grandchild was born two years ago, I promised myself I would finally make that change, and this felt like the right moment to act on it.
The advert for this post popped up and I had to apply. Everything was perfect for me with regards to location, hours and experience of working with clients that face challenges, as well as my background in the cosmetic industry.
I went on to the Changing Faces website and read the real-life stories, looked at the charity’s values (which rang very true to my own personal values), and felt an overwhelming emotional connection. I literally burst into tears! I was hooked. I realised how amazing the Skin Camouflage Service is, how much this role could positively impact people’s lives in Wales and how I wanted to be a part of this fantastic organisation, delivering a service which I feel is very much needed.
I hope we can reach out and support people who need it the most, and deliver a service that is not only long overdue, but that will thrive and become successfully established, as it has been in Scotland and England for a number of years.
I was so determined to be a part of Changing Faces, that it was the only job I have applied for since my previous role of nine years. If I had not been successful, I would have definitely volunteered my spare time to support the organisation.
My role at Changing Faces
My role is a dual role, where I will be working with clients with visible differences, who would like support from the service. I will arrange appointments with clients and meet clients at a clinic on a 1-1 basis, to provide a skin camouflage consultation which will involve skin colour matching to highly pigmented camouflage cosmetics and will provide application techniques for a profound effect.
My background and experience
Previous to this role, I worked as a Regional Project Manager/Service Lead for one of Wales’ leading mental health charities, providing support to people with mental health and/or substance use issues. This helped build confidence and self-esteem, whilst promoting wellbeing services and signposting to a number of internal and external organisations, to make positive changes to their lives.
Prior to that, I worked in the retail sector for almost twenty years, lastly as a National Manager for a well-known, worldwide cosmetics company. I have many years of experience with regards to customer service, communication and listening skills, and I feel that I have a natural compassion and empathy for people who may be struggling with their individual circumstances.
Why the Skin Camouflage service is so important
I believe it’s a vital service! A service for people that, because of their visible differences, have faced and are still facing personal barriers, such as lack of confidence and self-esteem, as well as everyday barriers like stigmatisation, bullying and general lack of awareness from others.
The Skin Camouflage service helps someone feel more confident about their own visible difference, by enabling them to gain confidence not only in themselves, but in facing other people, sometimes on a daily basis, and helping people to feel more comfortable with their appearance, even if it’s only for a short time. It’s also a service that can provide extra support to people that need it with regards to their wellbeing and mental health, by signposting to further services that offer a range of support, including a helpline, one-to-one counselling, online resources and workshops.
What I’m looking forward to achieving
My mind is set on giving my all to this role, my clients and service delivery. This is a service provision that is not mandatory across all Wales and will be brand new to most parts of this country. I hope we can reach out and support people who need it the most, and deliver a service that is not only long overdue, but that will thrive and become successfully established, as it has been in Scotland and England for a number of years.
Everyone should be allowed to live their lives every single day in a happy, healthy environment and personally. If I can help to support anyone enough to feel even a bit more confident after a one-to-one consultation, then I will be incredibly happy. I am honoured to be working in such an amazing organisation, and hope that this is just the beginning of bigger and better things to come!
Victoria Thomas is Skin Camouflage Practitioner and Coordinator for Changing Faces in Wales.