World's largest study on facial scarring and mental health published
People with facial scarring are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, a new study reveals.
Join the team: Finance and Operations Manager
The Scar Free Foundation is recruiting for a Finance and Operations Manager (maternity cover)
Annual Update Event and Ambassador Tea 2023
Every year, The Scar Free Foundation invites supporters to learn more about our research at our Annual Update Event. Two things made this year’s event extra special – not only was it our new Chief Executive’s first event at the helm, but before the event we invited our Ambassadors to an Afternoon Tea with our Board of Trustees.
Announcing the Scar Free Appeal: Faster Breakthroughs in Research
Mark your Christmas calendars and make a difference like never before - for one week between the 28th November and the 5th December, all donations to The Scar Free Foundation via the Big Give website will be doubled!
We hope to raise a total of £40,000 to fund vital medical research into scarring.
Living with Scars: Spotlight On Black History Month
Throughout Black History Month in October, we shared short videos from our Ambassadors on their experiences being Black and living with scars.
The Scar Free Foundation Joins COBSEO
The Scar Free Foundation is delighted to announce that we are now members of COBSEO – the Confederation of Service Charities.
Peter's Fundraising Story
1000 miles, 14 days, and over £3000 raised for the Scar Free Foundation!
Scar Free Supporter Peter Homa cycled the famous LeJog route in August to raise money for The Scar Free Foundation. His epic journey started in Land’s End in Cornwall and finished at John O’Groats in the Scottish Highlands, with lots of hills to climb along the way!
Now that he’s had some time to recover, Peter shares his favourite parts of the journey, his motivation on the road, and why he wanted to support the Scar Free Foundation.
The Scar Free Foundation Joins the Armed Forces Covenant
We are proud to announce that The Scar Free Foundation has joined the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge.
'The burns can cook them:' Reflections on burns injuries and the climate crisis
On 28th August 2023, The Guardian published 'The burns can cook them’: searing sidewalks cause horrific injuries in US.
Our CEO, Richard Nugee, responds with his thoughts.
Meet the newest members of the Scar Free Team
In August 2023, we welcomed two staff members onto the team. Below, Lubna and Jenni share why they believe in a scar free future.
What is Patient Involvement in Research? Ambassador Rachel Explains
Patient and public involvement (PPI) is at the heart of our research strategy. Since 1999, The Scar Free Foundation has had support and guidance from experts by experience. Rachel McDermott, Scar Free Foundation Ambassador and member of the Research Council, shared her experience of her involvement with the Foundation.
Peter Homa's Cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats
Peter Homa, Retired Director General of Defence Medical Services, is taking on the famous LEJOG Challenge at the end of August. He's cycling over 1000km to raise money for The Scar Free Foundation.
The 2023 Scar Free Foundation Electives
Since 2004 The Scar Free Foundation has run student electives in association with our Principal Member Organisations; the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), the British Burn Association (BBA), the Craniofacial Society of Britain and Ireland (CFSGB&I) and the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH).
Join the Team!
The Scar Free Foundation is recruiting for a social media savvy Communications & Projects Officer, salary FTE £25-£32k with great benefits
HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh celebrates International Women and Girls in Science Day
Our Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh joined our Scar Free scientists, researchers, Ambassadors and supporters to mark International Women and Girls in Science Day.
Scar Free Event at The Ministry of Defence
In February we were privileged to be invited to the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall, London, to showcase the dynamic research that is underway at our Centre for Conflict Wound Research in Birmingham.
Scar Free Families
The mission of The Scar Free Foundation is to achieve scar free healing within a generation and transform the lives of those affected by disfiguring conditions.
Scarring affects not just those living with the injury but their family, friends, and support network.
Earlier we spoke to our Young Ambassadors Elizabeth and Delilah – and their siblings.
A Year in Review : 2022
This year has been an exciting time for The Scar Free Foundation. With our national programmes of research now well underway, we take a look back at what we have achieved in 2022.
Scar Free Update Event 2022
Each year we invite Scar Free supporters to learn more about the research that has taken place in the year. In addition, this year we were honoured to hear our young Ambassador, Delilah Care, speak at the event. Delilah, who bravely shared her inspiring experience of life with scarring, showed us all how she will not let her scars stop her from doing anything – but how the work the Foundation is doing is so important.
Scar Free Ambassador Event 2022
The lived experienced voice of our Ambassadors and people living with scars lies at the heart of all that we do. In October 2022 we brought together our Ambassadors and scar free researchers to discuss the pioneering the research that is taking place and how this will improve the lives of people affected by scarring in the future.
We filmed behind the scenes footage, and took photos, of some of the conversations that were had at this years Ambassador event. We will ber eleasing the videos thorughout the next few months to highlight not only the increadible work that takes place, but the impact it will have on all those affected by scarring.
Below you can watch to conversations. One with Ambassador and Trusteee Hemani Modasiah-Shah speaking to Tom Jovic, Scar Free Researcher at Swansea University and the other an open conversation with Ambassador's Dan Jackson and Lottie Pollak, with Scar Free Researchers Professor Janet Lord and Dr Ricard Moakes.
Celebrating The Cleft Collective
Just a few months after we celebrated the Cleft Collective’s 10-year Anniversary, we are absolutely thrilled to report that the 10,000th participant – five-year old Elsie – has been recruited to the study, the world's largest research programme in cleft lip and palate.
To celebrate this achievement, we have made a special episode of The Scar Free Foundation Podcast featuring Dr Yvonne Wren (pictured above), Chief Investigator of the Cleft Collective about the incredible research that she and the team are doing at the University of Bristol.
A Special Thank You to the Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust
We are enormously grateful to The Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust for supporting essential equipment and material costs for our work at The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research in Birmingham.
Their donation of vital equipment will mean that, in the future, people with traumatic injuries will have access to evidence-based, targeted, pro-healing treatments.
Professor Amber Young – A Personal Reflection
Amber Young, who has passed away tragically young, was a much loved and respected member of the Scar Free family. Others, more qualified and familiar with her deeply impressive career and personal attributes, will write glowingly of Amber’s achievements. For us, at The Scar Free Foundation, she was one of the most passionate, deeply committed and caring clinicians and researchers we have ever had the pleasure to work with.
Refreshed Research Strategy
“Scar free healing within a generation…that’s what we’re about. Trying to understand the scarring process and, in doing so, prevent it.”
Professor Janet Lord, Principal Investigator, The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research, Birmingham.
New Research : Assess & Reverse 'Biological' ageing due to traumatic injury and scarring
The Scar Free Foundation today launched the world’s first in depth research programme to assess and reverse the ‘biological’ ageing process of Armed Forces veterans with traumatic injury.
My Life in Research
For almost 20 years, The Scar Free Foundation has been running our brilliant Student Elective scheme in partnership with the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), the British Burn Association (BBA), the British Psychological Society, the Craniofacial Society of Great Britain and Ireland, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH).
An Ambassador Audience with Professor Paul Martin
Scar Free Researcher Paul Martin, Professor of Cell Biology, and his dedicated and passionate team met with our Ambassadors to discuss the incredible research that is taking place at The University of Bristol to identify the gene(s) that causes scarring and inform future treatments.
Celebrating the 10-year Anniversary of The Scar Free Foundation Cleft Gene Bank and Cohort Study
We are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of The Scar Free Foundation Cleft Gene Bank and Cohort Study – and now the world’s largest genotyping study to include parents as well as children born with cleft.
Royal visit to life-changing scar free research programme
Our Royal Patron, HRH The Countess of Wessex, visited the world-leading facial reconstruction research programme based at Swansea University, meeting researchers to learn more about the study, and our Ambassadors who could benefit from the pioneering research.
OUR AMBASSADORS MEET DR ADAM REID
Dr Adam Reid - a scar free researcher and Research Council member - is a plastic surgeon who treated survivors of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack. In an exclusive meeting with our Ambassadors, Dr Reid spoke about plastic surgery, nerve regeneration and how people with scarring are at the heart of his research.
My Life in Research
Dr Oscar Peña is a scientist who is working on our world-leading £1.5 million programme at the University of Bristol. Oscar tells us about his work to discover the genes that cause scarring.
Crucial Funding received from the Veterans' Foundation
A special thank you to the Veterans' Foundation
Introducing our new member to the Board of Trustees
We are excited to announce that long serving Ambassador, Dr Hemani Modasia-Shah GP, has been appointed to serve on our Board of Trustees.
OUR SUCCESSFUL BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE!
An enormous thank you to everyone who donated to our 3D Bioface project. Together, we beat our ambitious target!
BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE 2021
Double your donation to The Scar Free Foundation from midday on Tuesday 30th November to midday on Tuesday 7th December!
Afternoon Tea with our Patron HRH The Countess of Wessex & Young Ambassadors
“I am so grateful to have you helping to educate and inform people about the problems of scarring. Your knowledge is power and you are helping The Scar Free Foundation to make people more aware by sharing your stories. It’s important that people see the person, not just the scars.”
- HRH The Countess of Wessex, 16 Nov 21
Celebrating our partnerships
Thanks to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, we’re delivering exciting new research that will help improve the long-term physical health of injured veterans.
The Scar Free Foundation Ambassadors' Event 2021
Behind every scar, there's a story. People living with scarring are at the heart of all that we do. We recently hosted our annual Ambassadors' Event to celebrate our successes, share our news and involve people living with scarring in our plans for 2022 and beyond.
Scar Free Virtual Reality Experience
The Scar Free Foundation is using Virtual Reality (VR) to bring the research we do and the experiences of veteran Ambassadors to life, as we mark the three-year anniversary of The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research in Birmingham and Bristol.
The Scar Free Foundation Hybrid Update Event 2021
Recently we held our first hybrid Annual Update event. The event was attended by over 50 Scar Free supporters, researchers and Ambassadors and took place in our new, recently re-opened base and the ‘home of surgery’, The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The event was also broadcast live and over 200 additional friends and family of the Foundation tuned in virtually.
Our event provided a unique insight into the problems of scarring and the pioneering research we are funding to achieve our mission: to achieve scar free healing within a generation and transform the lives of those affected by disfiguring conditions.
Media Coverage and Audience Reception of Disfigurement on Television
People with a lived experience of scarring have been at the heart of everything we do for a long time now.
Scar Free Update Event 2021 - Today at 1630
We are delighted that you are able to join us remotely for The Scar Free Foundation's 2021 Annual Update Event.
Could you be our champion?
We’re working hard to invest more funds in research that will change lives. For the first time we will be taking part in The Big Give Christmas Challenge, and although the festivities might seem distant, we need your help now! We’re looking for Champions like you, to help us double the difference. Find out more about what 3D printing, Christmas and you, have in common!
Land’s End to John O’Groats for The Scar Free Foundation
To mark my retirement from the Army, I decided to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats. This 14-day, 992-mile epic takes in some of the most stunning countryside in Britain but also features over 56,000 metres of climbing, 19% of which are defined as severe. What can I say? I like a challenge! To add a little more jeopardy, the ride was in aid of The Scar Free Foundation and the amazing research I hear so much about.
Pioneering research into 3D bioprinting using human cells
Ground-breaking, global impacting research into 3D printing of cartilage for facial reconstruction at The Scar Free Foundation/Health & Care Research Wales Programme of Facial Reconstruction and Regeneration Research, Swansea University.
The Scar Free Foundation Announces a New Environmental and Sustainability Policy
On Earth Day 2021, The Scar Free Foundation is pleased to announce its new Environmental and Sustainability Policy.
Exciting New Conflict Wound Research Funding Announced
Two new projects have recently been approved for funding by The Scar Free Foundation as part of our ‘pilots’ scheme for the conflict wound research programme, funded in 2017 by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds.
The Garfield Weston Foundation
The Trustees of the Garfield Weston Foundation, one of the UK’s most established charity grant makers, have supported the work of The Scar Free Foundation for more than 10 years. Most recently, the Trust has agreed a generous grant to support life-changing research at The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research towards our innovative DeScar project.
Our Ambassadors
Our Scar Free Ambassadors never cease to inspire us, stories and experiences like theirs are the driving force behind our mission. The Foundation supports their engagement with exclusive events and news on our developments, which is why, on the 24 February 2021, 20 of our Ambassadors joined an Audience with Professor Janet Lord in our first ‘meet the expert’ event.
International Women's Day
Today is International Women’s Day, and to celebrate we’re taking the opportunity to introduce you to some of the amazing women involved in our mission to eliminate scarring within a generation.
From our inspiring Ambassadors who bravely share their stories to clinicians and researchers pushing the boundaries of science find out more about some of the women who make the prospect of scar free healing possible.
We are recruiting! Join The Scar Free Foundation
We are recruiting for a Senior Development Officer to support us in our mission to achieve scar free healing within a generation.
Radio 5 Live - Expert Under the Spotlight
“Scar free within a generation…and that’s what we are about. Trying to understand the scarring process and in doing so to prevent it.”
Professor Janet Lord
The Scar Free Foundation: A Year in Review
2020 marked the 20th year of the Foundation and we are grateful that much of our work has been able to continue despite the obvious challenges.
SCAR FREE RESEARCH: A YEAR IN REVIEW
Whilst this year has made medical research somewhat challenging, we are so pleased to have been able to continue Scar Free research at pace, despite some pauses over lockdown.
SCAR FREE AMBASSADORS: A YEAR IN REVIEW
This year, community has been more important than ever, and we are so grateful for our Ambassador network, that has not only managed to continue but to build and flourish.
The Scar Free Foundation launches world’s first research programme to identify scarring gene
A world-leading £1.5 million research programme that aims to achieve scar free healing within a generation has been launched today, 26th November, by The Scar Free Foundation, the only medical research charity which focuses solely on scarring. The five-year research study led by the University of Bristol will identify the gene(s) that causes scarring and inform future treatments.
SafeTea Paper Published in the Injury Prevention Journal
Last year, The Scar Free Foundation supported a national campaign that aimed to reduce the number and severity of burn injuries caused to babies and young children by hot drinks. The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Children’s Burns Research at the Universities of Bristol and Cardiff conducted a research project to understand the causes of burns and scalds to children. On the basis of the findings of a high prevalence of hot drink scalds in babies and toddlers together with poor knowledge of the importance of early first aid, the SafeTea campaign was born; sponsored generously by the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate workers alias Wire Workers, and co-funded by Health and Care Research Wales (Welsh Government), The Vocational Training Charitable Trust and the British Burn Association.
The Scar Free Foundation Virtual Annual Update Event
We recently held our virtual Annual Update event, for the first time this year, entirely online. The event offered the Foundation’s supporters, researchers and Ambassadors an insight into the past years’ activity and our plans for future research.
Revolutionary new project into scar assessment begins
The Birmingham Objective Scar Scale (BOSS) is set to help clinicians and patients better understand the effect of future scar free treatments.
Spotlight on: The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers
We highlight one of Scar Free’s longest standing, generous supporters who, this year, celebrate a very special anniversary.
THE SCAR FREE FOUNDATION ANNUAL UPDATE 2020
We recently held our virtual Annual Update event, this year online. The event offered the Foundation’s supporters, researchers and Ambassadors an insight into the past years’ activity. We featured presentations from Dr Richard Williams (The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research), Professor Iain Whitaker (Swansea University Medical School) and Mr Justyn Hollett (Ambassador for The Scar Free Foundation, and mental health advocate).
Irie's poem: National Poetry Day
To celebrate National Poetry Day 2020 yesterday, our amazing Ambassador Irie wrote a poem about why she became involved with The Scar Free Foundation. Her beautiful and powerful words highlight the impact that scarring has not only on those that have scarring, but also on their family and friends.
Sepsis Awareness Month: Jaco's Story
Sepsis is a life threatening illness caused by the immune system’s overreaction to an infection. 40% of all sepsis survivors experience permanent, lifechanging after-effects of the illness, including loss of tissue and even limbs. The psychological and physical issues can be devastating. In some cases of sepsis, people can be left with life-long scarring often requiring substantial skin grafts to counteract skin tightness caused by the restrictive scars.
To highlight the severity of the illness, sepsis awareness month takes place every September. As sepsis awareness month draws to an end, our Scar Free Ambassador, Jaco, tells us his story.
UNITS study publishes their first journal article
A major project from The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research, aimed at supporting veterans with appearance-altering injuries, hits a major milestone achievement this month with the publication of an important output from the early stages of the research.
Introducing Our Newest Member of the Team!
We are delighted to introduce Amy Ingram, who has recently joined The Scar Free Foundation as our new Senior Trusts and Foundations Manager.
My Lockdown Journey
Lockdown measures gave us considerably more time alone, and removed many of the distractions that we have built our lives around. Our Ambassador, India, told us how isolation affected her mental health, along with how she coped.
Research Through and Beyond Lockdown
Although the COVID-19 crisis has caused much of our lab based research and clinical trials to pause, much of our research has continued from lockdown including the UNITS (Understanding Needs and Interventions for the Treatment of Scarring) study, part of The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research.
We spoke with one of the members of the study team Dr Mary Keeling, Senior Research Fellow, at the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR), University of the West of England to find out more about how the team has continued working through the pandemic, and what the next few months hold.
15th Anniversary of the 7/7 London terrorist attacks
15 years ago today, 52 people were killed and many more injured in the 7/7 London terrorist attacks. Our Ambassador, Susan Greenwood, bravely told us her story of the attack, and the journey that followed.
A very special guest drops into our virtual ambassador event...
We recently held one of our regular video call catch-up for our Ambassadors, during which a surprise guest made an appearance. Unbeknownst to our Ambassadors, HRH The Countess of Wessex, Patron of The Scar Free Foundation was waiting to join the call…
Watch their reactions here: A Very Special Guest Dropped Into Our Virtual Ambassador Event
Child Safety Week
This week is Child Safety Week, run by the Child Accident Prevention Trust, which aims to raise awareness of the causes of children’s accidents, and how they can be avoided. Due to COVID-19, the focus is on how to keep children safe in lockdown, and also as lockdown slowly eases.
Why self-isolation is normal for me and many others
Izzy Brown - Research and Communications Officer
Many people are aware of the physical and psychological impact of visible scarring, but internal scarring in the form of fibrosis presents its own sinister hidden issues. Whilst the pandemic has brought self-isolation and social distancing measures to the fore, many who have long term health conditions, or have experienced a life changing injury have been practicing these measures for years.
Managing Research Under Lockdown
With most university campuses closed and only essential COVID-19 research proceeding in hospitals and labs, much Scar Free Foundation-funded research has had to pause for the past seven weeks. While it is currently unclear when all our work will be up and running again, a number of our researchers are continuing to work from home, including staff from The Scar Free Foundation Cleft Gene Bank and Cohort Study.
New research finds that children born with a cleft lip and/or palate are not likely to be genetically predisposed to do poorly at school
New research from The Scar Free Foundation Cleft Gene Bank and Cohort Study at the University of Bristol has found that children born with a cleft lip, either with or without a cleft palate, are not likely to be genetically predisposed to do less well at school than their peers.
Message from The Scar Free Foundation Chief Executive
At The Scar Free Foundation we have been working hard over the last year navigating the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on our research, our staff and our beneficiaries.
Calling Veterans and Civilians to Participate in Conflict Wound Research
Researchers at the University of the West of England undertaking the UNITS (Understanding Needs and Interventions For Treatment of Scarring) project, one of the projects of the Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research, are are currently inviting veterans and members of the general public who have had an injury that has changed their appearance to complete an online questionnaire. Taking part will help us understand the psychological experience of appearance altering injuries and develop evidence based support.
If you are a veteran injured during operational deployment or deployment training since 1969 and that injured changed your appearance (such as having scars and / or limb loss) and would like to take part, please click here to complete an online questionnaire.
If you are a member of the public who has scars and / or limb loss due to an injury or accident and would like to take part, please click here to complete an online questionnaire.
Please also share with anyone you think might be interested. For any questions about the study please email the research team [email protected].
The Cleft Collective wins prestigious award for excellent patient engagement
We are thrilled that The Scar Free Foundation Cleft Gene Bank and Cohort Study, also known as The Cleft Collective, funded by The Scar Free Foundation, has won the Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health/NIHR Paediatric Involvement and Engagement in Research (PIER) prize, which will be presented in April.
The Scar Free Foundation Awarded A Sun Military Award For Innovation
The award, affectionately known as a “Millie”, was presented to The Scar Free Foundation at the prestigious annual awards ceremony on 6 February 2020, attended by The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace.
20 Years of Scar Free
This December marks 20 years since the founding of The Scar Free Foundation (formerly the Healing Foundation). To celebrate this milestone, our Patron HRH The Countess of Wessex kindly hosted an afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace.
Scar Free Update Event
This autumn, we hosted our annual update event at the Royal College of Surgeons. The afternoon offered supporters and guests an overview of our Scar Free projects and also provided the perfect opportunity to premier our new Scar Free Ambassador video.
A Year in Review
This year has been an exciting yet busy time for The Scar Free Foundation. With our national programme of research now well underway, we take a look back at what we have achieved in 2019.
Celebrating 20 years of life changing medical research
We were delighted to celebrate our 20th anniversary by bringing together 100 Ambassadors, Trustees, Research Partners and Supporters for an afternoon tea hosted by our patron, HRH The Countess of Wessex, at Buckingham Palace.
Media Release - Scar Free Foundation Announces Plans For New Burns Scarring Research
Scarring affects over 20 million people in the UK*, according to new figures released today by The Scar Free Foundation. Yet the findings reveal that scarring is not talked about enough in our society and there is still a lack of public awareness of the physical – as well as emotional – impact that scarring can have on people.
One of the most common causes of scarring is burn injury, with 64,000** children seeking medical treatment in the UK alone last year, and yet it is an area of medical research that has been critically underfunded.
‘SafeTea’ campaign launches on National Burns Awareness Day
The Scar Free Foundation is supporting a national campaign aimed at reducing the number and severity of injuries caused to babies and young children by hot drinks. The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Children’s Burns Research at the Universities of Bristol and Cardiff undertook research into the causes of burns and scalds to children. The findings form the basis of the campaign which was made possible by a generous grant from the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers of the City of London and co-funding from Health and Care Research Wales.
Scar Free Drinks Reception in Whitehall
Earlier this month, in a venue filled with rich nautical, military and political history, we held a drinks reception to showcase our important work with the Armed Forces and the Veteran community.
We spoke to CASEVAC Club Manager Anna Boggi, who told us more about the evening and why she agreed to share her story.
Introducing Ellie Carden And Izzy Brown
The Scar Free team is growing! We are delighted to introduce Ellie Carden and Izzy Brown, who have recently joined The Scar Free Foundation as Research Officers.
Research Update: The Safe Tea Campaign
The Safe Tea Campaign is a national campaign to prevent childhood hot drink scalds and promote first aid care to parents.
Funded by The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers, VTCT Foundation and Health and Care Research Wales, and led by the University of Cardiff and the University of Bristol, the Campaign will launch on 16 October this year to coincide with Burns Awareness Day.
Introducing Hemani: Our Loyal Ambassador
Our Scar Free Ambassador Hemani Modasia (pictured, second from right) was first introduced to The Scar Free Foundation just before she started medical school in 2006. Thirteen years later and now a qualified doctor working in a busy GP practice, Hemani is one of our longest-serving Ambassadors and a dedicated Scar Free supporter.
We caught up with Hemani to find out more about her time as an Ambassador, what she thought about last month's Involvement Reception and why our scar free mission is so important; both to her personally and for her profession.
Annual Involvement Reception
On a sunny Saturday in June, The Scar Free Foundation hosted its second annual Involvement Reception at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex Visits Centre for Conflict Wound Research
His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex visited The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, last month.
His Royal Highness observed our scar free research, including an anti-scarring gel dressing for use in austere environments and was particularly interested in how we collaborate with key partners to address the challenges in acute care, long-term impact and psychological effects of conflict related injuries.
Chief Of The Defence Staff Appointed Vice President
We are delighted to announce that General Sir Nick Carter has accepted our invitation to become a Vice President of The Scar Free Foundation.
Veterans' Psychological Study
The UNITS Study (Understanding Needs and Interventions For Treatment of Scarring) is a psychological project which seeks to identify the best way to support serving and ex-serving personnel and their families whose appearance has been affected by a conflict related injury.
The Study, led by the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England, is one of the projects underway at The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research.
Call For Participants For Conflict Wound Appearance Study
Following His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex's recent visit to The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research, we are calling on ex-serving personnel who have sustained an appearance altering injury whilst in military conflict to take part in an important psychological project.
Appointment Of Chief Scientific Adviser
We are delighted to announce that Professor Paul Stewart has been appointed as The Scar Free Foundation's Chief Scientific Adviser.
Media Coverage of Centre for Conflict Wound Research
Yesterday our Royal Patron HRH The Countess of Wessex opened The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research. The opening received attention across both local and national media. We are delighted to share some of the key coverage from the day. All coverage can be reviewed here.
World's First Specialist Research Centre Aims to Eliminate Scarring within a Generation
The first military and civilian wound research centre of its kind in the world was officially opened by Scar Free Foundation Patron Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham today, aiming to minimise the psychological and physical impact of scarring among armed forces personnel and civilians wounded in terrorist attacks.
The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research is a ground-breaking national facility that marks a vital step in achieving the charity’s goal of achieving scar free healing within a generation. The opening was featured across local and national media, highlights of which are available here.
Lois' First Scar Family Event
Lois Collier (pictured with Scar Free Ambassadors Pam Warren and Dan Jackson) formed Scar Family after an attack which left her with scarring on her face. Lois became a Scar Free Ambassador this year and is now very involved with the Foundation.
We caught up with Lois at her first ever Scar Family event in September, from which she donated the proceeds to The Scar Free Foundation.
Annual Scar Free Showcase
We describe the journey to scar free healing as like climbing a mountain, with scar free healing at the summit. Recent scientific breakthroughs, coupled with the important research we have directed to date, has meant that the summit of the mountain is now, for the first time, visible and in reach.
Our annual Showcase, hosted at the British Medical Association, brought together our research teams from Bristol and Birmingham to present on how their work contributes to this important pursuit.
New Appointment to The Scar Free Foundation UK Burns Research Network
We are delighted to announce that Dr David Mackie has joined The Scar Free Foundation UK Burns Research Network supported by the VTCT Foundation, as Chairman of its Advisory Panel.
A Parent's View On the Cleft Collective
Cleft lip and palate is the most common facial birth defect in the world, with approximately 1,200 children in the UK born with a cleft each year. Our Scar Free Ambassador, Ana Hobbs, whose daughter Abigail was born with a cleft palate, is a vital member of the Cleft Collective Advisory Panel.
The Panel oversees The Scar Free Foundation Cleft Gene Bank & Cohort Study at the University of Bristol. With over 2,000 families recruited to it, the study provides unprecedented insight into the genetic and environmental factors behind cleft, will inform new treatments, and help us to better understand the life-long impact of cleft.
Having been on the Advisory Panel for just over a year, we caught up with Ana to find out more about her experience, and why a parent’s point of view for this research is so important.
Involvement Reception at the Ministry of Defence
In April this year we hosted a reception at the Ministry of Defence Main Building in London. The event brought together our Ambassadors and volunteers along with our researchers and clinicians, and provided information on how they could contribute to our scar free mission.