Other Help for Young People
We know that we might not always be able to provide you with the support or help you need, so here are some other organisations that might be able to help.
FaceIT @ Home
FaceIT is an interactive online self-help tool for young people aged 12-17 and is freely available for young people to use at home with supervision from a parent/guardian. It has been designed by researchers at the Centre for Appearance Research in collaboration with young people to help you manage the challenges associated with having a condition or injury that affects appearance.
Changing Faces
Changing Faces have brilliant resources on their website, from dealing with negativity and self-confidence to moving schools.
Changing Faces also offer a 1-1 emotional support service for children and their families with an appearance that makes them look different. This free and confidential online 1-1 support, with a highly skilled Practitioner, can help look at issues or concerns that the young person or family may have around looking different such as handling staring, teasing and bullying and low confidence and self-esteem. Find out more here.
Free Resources for Youth Workers
Changing Faces have developed new resources for youth workers and volunteers across Scotland to better support young people with visible differences and disfigurements. The resources give step-by-step support to anyone who wants to run a workshop with their youth group on challenging stereotypes and thinking differently about appearance and body image.
Parentzone
Ollee is a digital friend for children aged 8-11, created by Parent Zone and funded by BBC Children in Need’s A Million & Me initiative, which aims to make a difference to children’s emotional wellbeing.
The Mix
The Mix can help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to them via their online community, on social media, through the free, confidential helpline or their counselling service.
Youth Access
YIACS are organisations rooted in local communities nationwide that provide free, easily accessible and age-appropriate support to young people aged 11-25 with a wide range of issues.
Young Minds
Young People can text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger (text YM to 85258) for free 24/7 support across the UK if they are experiencing a mental health crisis, and there are resources for young people and parents on their website.
Childline
Counselling service for young people under 19 online, on the phone, anytime.
Give Us A Shout
Shout is the UK’s first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone struggling to cope.
Kidscape
ZAP is a FREE workshop for children and young people aged 9-16 who have been impacted by a bullying situation.
Regional-specific services
Lineline Helpline – Northern Ireland
Back to Young People’s Hub
Other Resources: Families, Adults & International
Suggest Another Resource
The majority of the resources linked above have been recommended to us by clinicians in NHS Cleft Teams or other partner organisations we work with to help support young people.
You can email [email protected] to suggest another resource be added to this page, but please note that we typically only consider groups and organisations specifically related to cleft and visible difference.