Harriet’s Story: A year 8 student raising awareness through education and courage
At the Vitiligo Society, we are always moved by the stories of young people who not only embrace their unique skin but use their experiences to educate others. One such inspiring individual is Harriet , a Year 8 school student from Kent.
Harriet has vitiligo — a skin condition that causes loss of pigmentation in patches — and has grown up embracing her skin’s changing appearance with confidence and strength. She noticed her first patch around the age of five, and since then, vitiligo has simply become a part of who she is.
Recently, Harriet chose to centre her school project around the question:
“What is vitiligo and what causes it?”
This wasn’t just a personal project — it was part of her school’s curriculum and presented not only to her own year group but also to Year 7, Year 9, and sixth form students. Harriet’s aim was clear: to inform, to educate, and to show others that vitiligo is nothing to fear or judge.
I wanted them to be a little more informed on this skin condition,” she shared. “I plucked information from websites like the Vitiligo Society and the NHS. My Dad also posted a questionnaire on Facebook, and we got lots of responses from people with vitiligo, which I found really interesting.
Her incredible effort earned her the school’s Equality and Diversity Award — a recognition of the courage, thoughtfulness, and impact of her work.
It doesn’t matter what colour your skin is… just be kind.
Harriet concluded in her presentation — a message we couldn’t agree with more.
Harriet’s project is not only a powerful example of self-expression and pride, but also a shining example of how awareness begins with one voice. At the Society, we know how transformative it can be when people see their own stories reflected back at them — especially through the eyes of someone as young and determined as Harriet.
Her proud grandmother, Wendy, reached out to us with Harriet’s story and a special request:
We are so proud that she has chosen this as her topic to present to the school. Could The Vitiligo Society possibly share any marketing posters or stickers to help support her stand?
Of course, we are always delighted to help.
You can educate and create awareness too
If you, like Harriet, want to raise awareness of vitiligo in your community or school, we can support you with:
- Educational posters and leaflets
- Awareness stickers and badges
- School-friendly resources to explain vitiligo
- Advice on how to start conversations about skin diversity
Email us at hello@vitiligosociety.org.uk for more information.
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