We offer facilitated peer support for adults with a visible difference. They are held securely by video call (Zoom) or in our chatroom.
Peer Group Chat is our online support group for adults (18 years or over) in the UK who are affected by a visible difference or disfigurement.
Peer support is a form of group support where you help one another with your appearance-related concerns through sharing your own experiences and coping strategies. It is a private and confidential space and numbers are limited for each group for you to get the most out of the sessions.
Keep reading for more information about the service. If you are ready to join Peer Group Chat, please call us on 0300 012 0275 10am-4pm Monday to Friday or use the link below to fill in our form.
REQUEST TO JOIN PEER GROUP CHAT
We offer our peer support groups in one of two ways:
Group sessions take place over eight weeks and are limited to seven to ten people to make sure everyone can get to know one another properly.
The sessions are facilitated by Changing Faces staff or volunteers. Their role is to encourage conversations and keep the group safe and comfortable for everyone.
Each session lasts for around an hour and 15 minutes and you can join using a computer, tablet or smartphone.
It’s unusual to be in a group where everyone understands your fears and insecurities. So for me this was useful as I felt valued and listened to.
Each session has a theme for discussion, with time at the end to talk about whatever is on your mind with people who understand what you’re going through. Themes include:
Our Peer Group Chat sessions:
Despite our differences, we were connected through our shared experiences. We’d all faced staring and negative reactions from others. We all had days where we struggled with confidence and self-esteem.
Weekly sessions with other people who have a variety of visible differences has helped me realise I’m not alone. It’s helped me work hard to turn that light back on and find me again.
To take part in the Peer Group Chat, contact us via our online form on our Support and Information Line page, or by calling our team. Learn more here.
Find out about our chat forum, where you can view and ask questions of others living with a visible difference and share your own experiences.
Advice, guidance and tools to help you manage people’s reactions to the way you look, from staring, comments and questions to hate crime and harassment.