Introducing NovemBear: helping children and young people with vitiligo feel seen
When you’re young, seeing someone who looks like you matters. A friend with patches like yours. A character in a book. A teddy on the shelf. For children and young people with vitiligo, those moments can be rare. That’s why, this November, we’re launching NovemBear.
Where the bear came from
Families told us they wanted a teddy that looked like their children. So we made one: patches, a big soft nose and a lot of love. Since then, we’ve given Vitiligo Bears to children and young people we support all year round.
Why children and young people
Vitiligo often starts in childhood, and it’s visible. That can bring questions in the playground and stares from strangers before a child has the words to answer them.
In our Let’s Talk Vitiligo survey of more than 700 people with vitiligo:
- almost two in three said vitiligo harms their mental health
- 46% said it leaves them feeling isolated or depressed
- 38% said they struggle with being stared at or judged
- only 15% felt informed when they were diagnosed
Behind each of those numbers is someone who, very often, first faced it as a child. We want every young person with vitiligo, and every parent, to know they’re not on their own from the very start.
What NovemBear is
From Sunday 1 November to midnight on Monday 30 November, we’re raising £2,000 on Crowdfunder for our work with children and young people.
When you donate, you can choose a thank-you:
- Sponsor a Bear (£15): helps us keep giving bears to children and young people who need one
- Mini Bear, tan or brown (£20)
- Big Bear (£30): our original
- Bear Collector (£65): all three bears, £5 less than choosing them separately
Bears are posted by 11 December (UK only), so they make a Christmas gift that means something.
Every donation supports our work with children, young people and families, and wherever the need is greatest. That includes the bears we give away and our casework with families, and it keeps us here for families all year round.
How you can help
- Donate from 1 November. The link will be on our social channels and in our next email.
- Show us your bear. If you have a Vitiligo Bear at home, share a photo with #NovemBear. With your permission, we’ll add it to our Bear Wall.
- Play Spot the Bear. Twice a week through November, find the bear hiding in our pictures.
- Share. Sending the page to one friend or family member makes a real difference.
Thank you for helping a young person feel seen this November.
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