EVERY day, people with a visible difference are being excluded from public life, with many facing discrimination, isolation and loneliness because of their mark, scar or condition.

At Changing Faces we know people with a disfigurement are vulnerable to social anxiety and low self-esteem. They face staring, harassment, bullying and hate crime. Our new report reveals that six in 10 people with a visible difference have experienced hostility from a stranger.

And one-in-three say that they feel depressed, sad or anxious.

We need to act now to challenge stigma and prejudice, achieve better representation for people with visible differences across the media and in brand campaigns, and increase awareness and education across schools, workplaces and among the general public.

We know this change is possible but we can’t do it on our own.

That’s why we are calling on businesses to sign up to our #PledgeToBeSeen campaign and commit to better representation for people with a visible difference.

If ever there was a time for people who look different to be seen and heard it’s now.

Becky Hewitt Changing Faces