The information on these pages is aimed at parents and family members to help them support a child born with a cleft.
We also have information aimed at children, young people and teenagers born with a cleft.
Cleft++ Mentoring (10-17 yrs)
Cleft++ uses a specialist online platform to safely connect 10-17-year-olds born with a cleft to a trained mentor. These mentors are young adults born with a cleft and they will draw on their experiences to offer personalised support.
CLAPA Companions (6-17 yrs)
CLAPA Companions is a ‘pen pal’ scheme connecting young people in the UK, born with a cleft aged 6 – 17 through letters, emails, videos and audio messages.
Camp CLAPA (9-15)
Camp CLAPA is all about bringing together young people born with a cleft so they can make friends, have fun, and try new things whilst enjoying the great outdoors at an activity centre. We hope they will help young people to build confidence, feel better about themselves, and feel connected to their own cleft community.
Cleft Youth magazine (under 12s)
Cleft Youth is a magazine for young people born with a cleft, packed with stories, activities, information about cleft and more. The magazine is aimed at under 12s but is suitable for all ages.
Support with school and bullying
This section explains how parents, carers, teachers and CLAPA can support children born with a cleft in primary and secondary school. It includes information about common issues to look out for, getting extra support from the school, and other resources.
Talking to your child about their cleft
This section contains tips and advice for talking to your child about their cleft, medical appointments, and members of the Cleft Team.
Events for children and young people
New events are posted often, so check back soon
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Other resources
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 is a charity supporting people in the UK with a visible difference, such as a cleft scar. They have brilliant resources on their website, from dealing with negativity and self-confidence to moving schools.
Changing Faces: Support line
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.
Kooth
Kooth is a free, safe, and anonymous online platform where young people can access mental health support whenever they need it. Delivered in partnership with the NHS, Kooth is available to anyone between the ages of 11-18, and in some areas, it extends up to age 25. The tool offers live chats, self help activities, informative articles and journaling and goal setting functions.
Tellmi
A safe, inclusive digital community where young people can help themselves and each other. Moderators check everything to keep the platform safe and in-house counsellors are always on hand if extra support is needed. Users can stay anonymous and talk to people the same age who get what they are going through. If professional support is needed, their in-house counsellors are available 365 days a year.
Parent Zone
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.
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.
Kidscape
ZAP is a FREE workshop for children and young people aged 9-16 who have been impacted by a bullying situation.