Face Equality Campaign Launch

Olivia Nash backed the launch of the Face Equality campaign in Northern Ireland at a special event on Tuesday 1 February 2011 at the Northern Ireland Assembly.  MLAs and invited guests listen to key speakers at the launch, which included welcome and introduction by Mr Alex Maskey MLA, Guest speaker Olivia Nash, Mr Chris Hill Senior consultant plastic surgeon, Jodie Hinds, Dr James Partridge CEO.

Jodie Hinds, who experienced burns as a 15 month old toddler in a house fire said: “I know that people who have disfigurements can and do lead successful and fulfilled lives – I have a civil service job I love where my colleagues respect me for who I am, and for the skills and abilities I bring to my role. I know though that I’m maybe luckier than many other people, for in my workplace people are treated fairly and equally irrespective of facial appearance. But this shouldn’t be down to luck – it’s everyone’s responsibility to create a society in which people with disfigurements are valued for the unique contribution they make”.

Jan Wright, Changing Faces’ Northern Ireland Officer, added: “Many people have already shown great interest in bringing the Face Equality campaign to Northern Ireland and I look forward to working with the people in schools, the NHS, the media and employers to drive forward the objectives of the campaign over the coming months”.

Photo:

Mags Harkin, Development Manager with Employers for Disability NI, is pictured at the launch event with one of the key speakers, Jodie Hinds, who is also accompanied by a number of her work colleagues. View photo.

For information on the campaign go to http://www.changingfaces.org.uk/Home.

Email nireland@changingfaces.org.uk.

Through Debbies's Eyes: Changing Faces 45 second awareness video clip: view

Read Guide: Handling Other People's Reactions  - download