This year, 1,200 babies will be born with a cleft in the United Kingdom.

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Community

Over 20,000 parents, patients and health professionals
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Support

A network of trained volunteers around the UK
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Information

Unique information in the right place at the right time

Get Involved

There are so many ways to support CLAPA's work – from helping out at events to climbing Kilimanjaro for cash! Find out more about how you can fundraise, donate to or volunteer with CLAPA today.

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Just had a diagnosis?

What is a cleft? Why did it happen to my child? Will my child be okay? Find comprehensive information here.

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Need to talk?

CLAPA's Parent & Peer Supporters are trained volunteers who can help you talk through any problems, worries or questions you have about cleft lip and palate. Get in touch today.

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In your area

Find cleft services, events and support near you

Join the CLAPA community

Join the UK's only charity dedicated to supporting people with and affected by cleft from infancy through to adulthood. Our Community is already over 20,000 people strong - add your voice!

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A group of young people from CLAPA on an adventure holiday

Latest news & events

  • Rick – an in memorial pub crawl

    In August 1997, on the Bank Holiday Monday, Damien Honey and some of his friends met to take part in the Rick Parsons Memorial Pub Crawl, raising money for medical charities with a connection to Richard's condition.

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  • Adventure day in Lincoln

    Adventure day in Lincoln

    24 Oct 2017 10:00 - 24 Oct 2017 16:30

    Join us at YMCA Lincoln for a day of climbing, dodgeball, team challenges and give the exciting new sport of Parkour a try! The day is open to young people affected by cleft aged 8 to 15.

    More information

  • An Open Letter to Smile Train

    We at the Cleft Lip & Palate Association (CLAPA) were disgusted by Smile Train’s recent ‘halloween’ themed direct mailings. These mailings, which suggest that babies with unrepaired clefts are in some way ‘scary’ are deeply hurtful and offensive.

  • #FundraisingFriday – Bellway homes

    Margaret Soldani’s grandson, Noah Stafford, was born with a bilateral cleft lip in January, and has since had two successful operations at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to treat the condition. Margaret, who is the sales advisor at Bellway’s Orchard Place development in Evesham, said the support her family and Noah had received from CLAPA had been brilliant.

  • Happy Faces Birmingham October meet up

    25 Oct 2017 12:00 - 25 Oct 2017 14:00

    Happy Faces Birmingham October meet up

    Happy Faces Birmingham will meet for the second time on Wednesday 25th October and every last Wednesday of the month after that.

  • Happy Faces Edinburgh October

    29 Oct 2017 11:00 - 29 Oct 2017 12:30

    Happy Faces Edinburgh October

    We are excited to announce the next meeting of Happy Faces in Edinburgh.

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