Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness Week 2024
4th - 12th May
Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness Week
4th – 12th May 2024
Join CLAPA, the UK’s cleft lip and palate charity, as we share stories, bust myths, and celebrate the cleft community, all while raising funds to support our life-changing work.
Tell your story
Use our storytelling templates and social media resources to share your story with family and friends. Don’t forget to tag @clapacommunity and #CleftAware!
Proud to be One in 700
Get your ‘Proud to be One in 700‘ graphic and other social media resources to spread the word
Support CLAPA’s Work
CLAPA’s work to support children, adults and families affected by cleft in the UK relies on the generosity of the UK cleft community. This Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness Week, combine your awareness-raising with fundraising to give your activity a lasting impact!
Donate to (or join in with!) our fundraising campaign on JustGiving to support CLAPA’s work all year round. Why not create a fundraising page to tell your story and share with family and friends?
Planning something local? You can request leaflets and posters until 10am on Tuesday 7th May, or download copies to print.
Get Involved
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Tell Your Story
Top tips and examples for writing an engaging story about your cleft journey this May.
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Spread the Word
Get resources and graphics to help spread the word this May
Learn More
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Supporting People Affected by Cleft
Read stories and tips from the UK cleft community about how you can support the people in your life affected by cleft
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About Cleft Lip and Palate
Learn all about cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom
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Myths & Facts
From surgery to feeding, there’s a lot the world still doesn’t understand about cleft. Read about common myths and learn the facts!
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Fundraise for CLAPA
Create a fundraising page on JustGiving to tell your story to raise funds as well as awareness this May
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Louise's Story: Diagnosis
"I couldn’t tell anyone how I truly felt as I didn't think anyone understood. Every day was a massive struggle for me. Everyone was so excited to meet him, but I wasn't. I hated feeling the way I did."
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Jenny's Story: Growing up with a cleft
"I don’t let my cleft define me, and now I am older I have found a confidence I never had before, and do things I never thought possible, including having a photo shoot – not once, but twice! I loved every moment and told myself that I deserve this just as much as anyone else."
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Hannah's Story: Feeding
"The first time he took a full feed from his bottle after 6 days, I cried with happiness. In the corner of the room with all the machines of tiny babies beeping, the nurses chatting in the background, the only people in the room are me and my amazing little boy."
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Beth's Story: Raising Awareness
“When I was younger I thought I was the only one and I’d think ‘Why have I got this?’” She explains. “Meeting other people like me makes me happy and feel not alone.”
