I’m Reuben K. Sam and, along with Nirjeet, as advocates for visible differences and vitiligo, we joined forces two years ago to bring something new to the North.

We found that nationwide support was still heavily concentrated in the southern part of the country, and that didn’t always reflect the reality of people living with vitiligo across the North.

As active ambassadors for The Vitiligo Society, we decided to create a more in-person-focused support group: Vitiligo Allies.

The aim is simple: to provide additional support in the Northern region of the country, creating a local community that can complement and act as a satellite to the incredible work The Vitiligo Society has carried out over more than 40 years.

Nirjeet and I have both been involved in national and international awareness campaigns and public speaking around vitiligo. Our main goal has always been to prioritise awareness, knowledge and support for people dealing with vitiligo.

Over time, we realised that spreading awareness and creating impact required more structure and support. This is where The Vitiligo Society has come in, demonstrating an incredible willingness to prioritise cohesion within the community and the people within it.

We have therefore decided to join forces, starting with our first joint event with the Greater Manchester Allies Group, supported by The Vitiligo Society. The group carries the same mission, but with stronger backing and a structure that helps ensure the activities we deliver can be safe, welcoming and well supported.

As founders, our goal is to meet people’s needs as much as we can and help ease some of the difficult experiences that vitiligo can cause, particularly on a psychosocial level.

With the Greater Manchester Allies Group, we want to create a first point of call where people can feel confident, learn, find guidance and move through their vitiligo journey from loneliness to a greater sense of belonging and relatability, something that can often be missing when vitiligo comes into your life.

To get things started with this collaboration, we’re looking forward to meeting members of the community on Saturday 24 October at 11am.

We wanted to make this a cosy and informal gathering rather than another busy city-centre event. We’ll be heading to Salford Quays and exploring the Quayside Makers Market together. It’s a great opportunity to walk around the local stalls and vendors, support local traders and enjoy the autumn atmosphere.

And yes, you’re never too early to start your Christmas shopping!

Most importantly, there is no pressure. Whether you’re coming on your own, with family, as a couple or simply want to meet other people and see what the group is about, you’re welcome to join us. The aim is simply to spend some time together and enjoy being around people.

As part of the Greater Manchester Allies Group, this first meetup is also an opportunity for us to get a better sense of the community and meet the people who want to be involved. Vitiligo is what brings us together, but the focus of the day will be community. We’ll take a relaxed walk through the Makers Market, explore the local stalls and vendors,
have a chat and enjoy the autumn and Halloween atmosphere around Salford Quays.

You don’t need to prepare anything or come with a particular reason for attending. Just come along, meet us and see what the community is about. We’ll also be joined by the lovely Sian Sturdy, Head of Support Services at The Vitiligo Society who will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about their work.

Living with vitiligo is not always easy, particularly when you are the only person in your family with the condition and perhaps haven’t met anybody else with vitiligo. Our goal is to remind people that you are not alone and that support is out there.

For dermatologists and other professionals working with people with vitiligo, we also want to be a source of reference somewhere they can point patients towards when they may benefit from connecting with other people and finding an environment that can support their journey with the condition.

For us, community is not only about talking about vitiligo. It is also about getting outside, meeting people, having conversations and creating opportunities to feel connected without pressure.

The Greater Manchester Allies Group is a support group focused on promoting wellbeing, education and empowerment, while providing a safe social environment for people affected directly or indirectly by vitiligo, including family members and friends.

The group is looking to host activities that strengthen the community. Vitiligo is a shared commonality, but we want to build on that through activities that educate, entertain and involve community members.

Most importantly, we stand by our three pillars as part of our Reassurance Framework: Safety, Discretion and Belonging.

These principles help us create an environment where people can feel comfortable attending, participate at their own pace and connect with others without pressure to share more than they want to.

Safety: creating a physically and emotionally secure environment.
Discretion: respecting privacy, keeping gatherings manageable and never putting pressure on anyone to share.
Belonging: creating a community where people can connect with others who understand and where nobody feels like they have to explain everything.

If you would like to hear about upcoming activities, meet other people affected by vitiligo or simply find out more about the Greater Manchester Allies Group, you can join our WhatsApp community.