We are committed to improving the quality of life of those affected by CMN through close partnership with several organisations and research bodies.


The Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) UWE
The Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) is a centre of excellence for psychological and interdisciplinary, person-centred research in appearance, visible difference (“disfigurement”), body image and related studies. CAR are the world’s largest research group focusing on the role of appearance and body image in people’s lives.

The VCTC Foundation
A charitable foundation working to improve the lives of those living with a visible difference through funding a a wide range of basic science, clinical research and service provision.
The VCTC Foundation is an independent grant making charitable foundation working to improve the lives of those living with a visible difference through funding a wide range of both basic science and clinical research and service provision. Caring Matters Now has had several projects supported by the VCTC Foundation through The Appearance Collective which aims to foster better collaboration, reducing duplication and increasing impact. The Appearance Collective is an informal network of more than 130 individuals from some 60 organisations that are actively engaged in the visible difference arena. Caring Matters Now is a member of The Appearance Collective both as providing front-line service delivery and research opportunities.

Face Equality International (FEI)
FEI is an alliance of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), charities and support groups which are working at national, regional, or international levels to promote the campaign for ‘face equality’. FEI seeks NGOs, charities and support groups as members which are working to improve the lives of people with disfigurements by providing direct support to and/or directly advocating for them. These could be people with a facial birth condition or birthmark, with scarring from accidents, violence, or warfare, or from cancer and its treatments, or with skin conditions like psoriasis, vitiligo and acne, or a facial paralysis like Bell’s palsy and stroke, or eye/sight problems.

Global Skin
The International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations (also known as GlobalSkin) is a unique global alliance, committed to improving the lives of patients worldwide. They nurture relationships with all involved in healthcare – building dialogue with decision-makers around the globe to promote patient-centric healthcare. GlobalSkin’s work is founded on three pillars: research, advocacy and support.

Association for Volunteer Management (AVM)
The AVM is an independent membership body that aims to support, represent, and champion people in volunteer management in the UK regardless of field, discipline or sector. It has been set up by and for people who manage volunteers.