Research with purpose - the Visible Difference Support Hub

Living with a visible difference, such as alopecia, eczema, burns and skin conditions can affect confidence, wellbeing, and everyday experiences, from school life to social media. For many years, UWE researchers have been working with charities and people with lived experience to create resources that make a difference.

Now, for the first time, those resources are all brought together in one place: the Visible Difference Support Hub.

“We wanted this to be research that makes a difference. The hub is about wanting to make a positive difference to people living with visible differences – making the outputs from our research accessible to everybody.” – Professor Diana Harcourt

Until now, resources for people with visible differences were scattered, failed to address today’s realities such as social media and were rarely based on rigorous scientific research. The Hub changes that. It offers inclusive, modern, evidence-based and accessible guidance for:

Children and young people
Adults
Parents and carers
Teachers and professionals

Illustration of three people with visible differences standing together by the water at sunset. One person raises their arm joyfully towards the sky, while the others stand close, smiling. The sun is setting behind mountains in the background, with rays stretching across the sky and reflections shimmering on the water.

Bringing Research, Practice and Experience Together

The Hub represents years of UWE research, shaped by collaboration with charities, healthcare professionals, and advisory groups.

“Charities have informed it a lot, from helping to recruit volunteers, to being on advisory groups. This is our way of giving back, offering them something they can offer to the people who use their services.” – Diana Harcourt

From the colours chosen (carefully selected to be inclusive and non-triggering) to the accessibility of the design, the Hub has inclusivity “baked in there from the beginning”.

Real Impact

Feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive. Users describe the Hub as inclusive, accessible, seamless, and modern.

Spotlight: The Visible Difference Parenting Toolkit

One example of the Hub’s impact is the Parenting Toolkit, designed to help parents and carers support children with visible differences. It offers guidance on building confidence, navigating conversations, and tackling challenges in everyday life.

Cover image for the Visible Difference Parenting Toolkit. It features overlapping yellow, green, and purple circles on a dark purple background, with white text reading: “The Visible Difference Parenting Toolkit – Supporting your child with an appearance affecting condition or injury.”

Looking Ahead

The Hub is just the beginning. Future developments include:

Adding new and translated resources
Launching the Loving Action podcast series for adults with visible differences navigating relationships

Illustration of an adult and child with a visible difference walking together. The adult holds a flower-patterned umbrella, while the child rides a scooter. A winding path with a hopscotch game is visible on the ground ahead of them.

Acknowledgements

The Hub was developed with support from UWE’s Impact Fund in 2024, with web development by Neil Robert Leonard and illustrations by Abbi Bayliss.

“It’s been a team effort – past and present researchers, charities, and creative collaborators have all helped shape the Hub.” – Diana Harcourt

Explore the Hub

The Visible Difference Support Hub is free, open, and designed to be shared.

👉 Visit the Visible Difference Support Hub

📌 RISE connection: This blog aligns with Research with Purpose and Enriching culture, place and community by demonstrating how UWE research is making a tangible, positive difference in people’s lives.