Around 70,000 adults in the UK alone were born with a cleft. In this section, you’ll find support and resources from CLAPA, the NHS, and other organisations, as well as information to help you get back into cleft treatment.
There were so many people with cleft at the [CLAPA adults'] conference, it was brilliant. The talks were fascinating, there were great activities where I felt my opinion mattered, and I met so many people and made new friends. We’re still in touch now, and still meet up.Kazzi's Story
Stories from adults
Meet Mary, CLAPA Peer Support Volunteer
After spending more than 60 years without meeting another person with a cleft, Mary now volunteers as a CLAPA Peer Supporter, helping others feel understood, informed and less alone.
Gemma’s story
Gemma shares how being a part of CLAPA’s Young Adults Group has helped her confidence and self-image.
Julia’s story
Julia discusses the positive impact of finding CLAPA and returning to cleft care as an adult.
Opportunities to get involved
Research Opportunity: Costs of Cleft Care for Adults
A researcher from the University of Bristol is looking for adults born with a cleft to complete a short survey about the costs they have encountered because of their cleft.
Research Opportunity: School outcomes for children born with a cleft
Researchers at Newcastle University are looking to speak to people with lived experience of cleft palate (born with or without cleft lip) to explore why children born with a cleft have poorer school outcomes than other children of the same age.
Research Opportunity: Cleft Genetics Survey
Doctors and scientists based at Great Ormond Street Hospital, University College London and the Wellcome Sanger Institute near Cambridge are planning research into new genetic causes of cleft.