Real stories

Read or listen to real stories from people affected by visible difference, their parents and families, as well as Changing Faces staff and volunteers. Inspired to share your story? We’d love to hear it – share your story now.

All stories

Abigail, a 16-year-old white girl who has long light brown hair and facial scarring caused by the removal of a tumour. She's wearing a black check dress, a black cardigan and sitting at a table with her hands crossed in front of her.

Abigail’s story: “I now feel able to talk to people about my face”

12 January 2022

Abigail struggled to talk openly about her scars. Starting an Instagram account to document her journey helped her grow in confidence.

Debbie is a white woman with a long brown fringe and shoulder length brown hair. She wears a black polo neck jumper in this image.

Debbie on parenting a young child with a visible difference

7 January 2022

Watch Debbie’s story about being a parent to a child with a birthmark and the struggle her family faced in getting the right support.

CEO Heather Blake wears a red top and has short brown hair with a fringe

Heather’s end of year message

16 December 2021

Our CEO Heather talks about the challenges and successes of 2021 and looks ahead to the new year.

Ambassador Catrin Pugh who has a visible difference, wearing her brown hair up, with an orange sun dress

Catrin on talking to soap stars

2 December 2021

Our ambassador Catrin explains why she has been working with the team behind ITV’s soap, Emmerdale.

Peter, a white man in his 20s/30s. who has short blond hair and a port wine birthmark covering his face and body. He's wearing glasses and a blue hoodie and smiling at the camera.

Peter on dating and relationships

23 November 2021

Our campaigner Peter discusses dating as a person with a visible difference and his hopes for more open conversations on the topic.

A collage of Ella, a 20 something year old white woman who has a blonde mohawk and a cranio-facial condition, Shankar, a 20 something year old man of colour, who has medium-length black hair and the skin condition vitiligo; and Hannah, a 20 something year old white woman who has long brown hair and is wearing glasses.

Ella, Hannah and Shankar on dating

23 November 2021

In this edition of our podcast, Ella, Hannah & Shankar reflect on what it's like to date someone when you have a visible difference.

A close up shot of Hannah, a young white woman with blonde shoulder length hair and a visible difference, wearing a grey jumper.

Hannah on TV show Malory Towers

19 November 2021

Young media champion Hannah discusses her views about representation on TV and how Malory Towers is getting it right.

A close-up shot of Graham, a white man in his late 50s who has short grey hair and some scarring on his neck. He is wearing glasses, a blue shirt and a navy tie.

Graham’s story: “Pursue your ambitions with everything you’ve got”

16 November 2021

Graham sustained burns as a child. Now he's sharing his story to encourage young people who look different to never limit themselves.

A woman with short brown hair, wearing a black jacket and green jumper, stands in front of a wall and flower bed

Gill thanks our volunteer campaigners

11 November 2021

Our Head of Campaigns and Communications, Gill, reflects on the successes of the first campaigners group as their time on the programme comes to an end.

Campaigner Natalie who is mixed race and has vitiligo

Natalie on Black History Month

29 October 2021

Campaigner Natalie shares a video message with us for Black History Month 2021.

Jude on World Psoriasis Day

28 October 2021

Campaigner Jude reflects on the theme of lifestyle factors for Psoriasis Day 2021 and how this has impacted her self-confidence.

Gabby, a 17-year-old young white woman with shoulder length brown hair. She's standing outdoors in front of some trees and smiling at the camera.

Gabby’s story: “I am not defined by my skin condition”

27 October 2021

Gabby, aged 17, talks about her journey with rosacea and the importance of mental health support for young people with visible differences.