Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) Foundation project
Find out more about the work of the VTCT Foundation and meet the team.
This major project is driven by priorities set by charities that work directly with people and their families who are living with visible difference.
About the project
With support from The VTCT Foundation, the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) will evaluate existing methods of support and intervention, plus embark on a new programme of research to help charities in this sector maximise their impact.
Events
The Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) run a series of workshops for members of the Appearance Collective (AC) and other charities that support people living with visible differences.
Upcoming workshops
We anticipate running a workshop, likely to focus on understanding the experiences and needs of individuals with visible difference from ethnic minority groups. Details will be given when confirmed.
Previous workshops
- Men’s experiences of visible difference (PDF)
- Appearance Collective social media workshop (PDF)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for people with visible differences (PDF) , taken from ACT Now training co-developed by CAR)
- Introduction to social activism (PDF)
- Supporting families of people affected by a visible difference (PDF)
- Psychological interventions for visible difference (PDF)
- Visible difference and intimacy (PDF)
- Understanding patient and public involvement/engagement (PDF)
- Social media and appearance
Bulletins
Read about our latest work on the programme:
Meet the team
| Name | Role |
| Radhika Bhatia |
Radhika has a MSc in Applied Clinical Psychology. In her VTCT Foundation role, she has contributed towards a systematic review, recruitment and data collection in a large new study for young people with visible differences, and data analysis of a large quantitative study. |
| Bruna Oliveira Costa |
Bruna has a background in Health Psychology. She has experience of research in cleft, and is particularly interested in appearance-altering health conditions. |
| Ella Guest |
Ella has experience across a range of appearance-affecting conditions such as burns, cleft and cancer. She will draw on her VTCT Foundation work while training as a Health Psychologist. |
| Professor Diana Harcourt |
Diana is overseeing our work on the programme, offering expertise and experience in leading large appearance research programmes. |
| Abbi Matthews |
Abbi is supporting work on the VTCT Foundation project, and has particular interests in visible difference and body image among children and young people, online/digital mental health interventions and promoting acceptance of appearance diversity. |
| Jade Parnell |
Jade started her PhD in January 2018 on developing an intervention for young children to increase acceptance of appearance diversity. She is supervised by Amy Slater and Heidi Williamson. |
| Professor Nichola Rumsey |
Nicky is supervising our programme team, offering her expertise on leading large visible difference research programmes. |
| Dr Nick Sharratt |
Nick is working on projects linked to visible difference and romantic relationships, how interpersonal interactions connected to the disclosure of and conversations connected to appearance altering conditions are experienced, men's experiences having of alopecia and receiving support. |
| Dr Amy Slater |
Amy has internationally recognised expertise in the area of social media use and appearance-related concerns. |
| Maia Thornton |
Maia started her PhD research in October 2018 on promoting positive psychological adjustment in parents and carers of children and young people with an appearance-altering condition or injury. |
| Fabio Zucchelli |
Fabio is involved in our work on psychosocial interventions for people with a visible difference, with specific expertise in mindfulness-based interventions such as Acceptance Commitment Therapy. |
Contact us
For any enquiry, please contact Bruna Costa, VTCT Foundation Research Coordinator, by:
Email: bruna.oliveiracosta@uwe.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)117 32 83513
Alternatively, contact the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) office.