Skin Care Campaign

Skin Care Campaign

The Skin Care Campaign is a venture of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin and has undertaken to tackle the inadequate provision across the UK for those affected by light sensitivity disorders. With the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act, public and private sector planners are beginning to acknowledge and make provision for those with physical disabilities but there has been little focus on the needs of light sensitive sufferers.

The first step of the campaign involved an audit among relevant groups to establish the level of the problem and particular 'offenders' in not making provision for people with light sensitivity disorders as well as examples of best practice. The aim is to include all light sensitivity groups: the Xeroderma Pigmentosum Support Group represented by Sandra Webb, the LUPUS UK Light Sensitivity Group represented by John Ryder, the Porphyria Association represented by Karen Harris as well as the Vitiligo Society and Cushings Syndrome support groups. Thank you to those who sent informative and personal accounts of local provision and of your reactions to artificial lighting.

The Campaign is being promoted and organised by Ash Communications Healthcare who, with the various representatives, have outlined the following objectives:

• Establish the level of the problem faced by light sensitive sufferers in the UK today wishing to access public facilities including healthcare service providers, education establishments and high street stores
• For all new healthcare service providers, education establishments and high street stores to make provision for light sensitivity

Further actions of this campaign will include:

• Preparation of briefing materials on light sensitivity, types of light, etc. to be used with all audiences
• Media relations campaign to be developed following audit, based on individual experiences
• Government relations campaign, to target policy and decision makers in parliament
• High-profile targeting of top supermarket and high street chains via direct mail and personalised follow up
• Localised pilot campaign around an area of the UK with particularly poor light sensitivity provision in health care services.

Findings will be used to develop a sustainable 'campaigning pack' for use in areas which need to improve.

Our campaign will be greatly helped by widespread publicity. If you have any family members, friends or associates in journalism and broadcasting, try to enlist their help. Appearances on radio, television and in the newspapers, spectacular public events and the background jobs of disseminating posters and information leaflets will all advance our aim of extending awareness and effecting a change in attitudes and practices.

UPDATE:

Some members have had a positive response to their requests for suitable lighting in public buildings such as recreational centres and banks. We hope that the necessary action will soon follow the good intent and we will need to monitor these situations.

Back to News and Info