On 7th May 1975, 50 years ago today, the Society’s founder Christine Orton wrote an article in The Guardian newspaper calling for change. Christine highlighted the lack of support and information available to help her manage her son’s eczema. The response from others affected by eczema was overwhelming. Christine went on to organise a public meeting and, soon after, the National Eczema Society charity was formed.
Our charity has achieved so much over the past five decades, thanks to our wonderful members, volunteers, donors, campaigners and the many healthcare professionals who support our work. We still have much more to accomplish though to make life better for people with eczema and their families. There is still no cure for eczema – and until there is, we will work tirelessly to support our eczema community, campaign for better care, and progress research to find the answers we desperately need.
National Eczema Society wrote a letter to The Guardian today, which we’ve reproduced here, highlighting our renewed commitment to bring about positive change for our eczema community.
7 May 2025
Fiftieth Anniversary of National Eczema Society
A Guardian letter published exactly 50 years ago proved transformative. Journalist Christine Orton, writing about her child’s severe eczema, prompted a massive response from other affected families leading to the founding of the National Eczema Society (NES) charity. Today, while we recognise significant advances in eczema care, many challenges remain, not least public attitudes and misunderstanding of eczema. In a world where perfect skin is expected, eczema is at best an embarrassment and at worst a source of disgust, compounding the misery and discomfort felt by many sufferers. Eczema, affecting 8 million children and adults in the UK, is sidelined by educators, regulators and funding bodies alike. A much-needed eczema management guideline was shelved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) leaving sufferers unable to access newer treatments. Research is dominated by financial interests. In response, NES has shifted its focus to become a powerful advocacy body for the eczema community. We celebrate our 50th anniversary with the success of the charity’s campaign for strength labelling of topical corticosteroids and the launch of our own research awards, one of which will be named after Christine Orton.
The Guardian helped galvanise eczema sufferers 50 years ago and we will continue to champion the eczema community with a louder voice over the next half century.
Professor Celia Moss OBE, Stephen Pugh and Andrew Proctor
National Eczema Society
After 10 years based in Camden, in north London, National Eczema Society has moved south of the river Thames to offices near London Bridge. Our new address is: 82 Tanner Street, London SE1 3GN.
Our new office is in a shared workspace called Canopi, and we’re now working alongside many other charities and social sector organisations who are also based here. This is more efficient and flexible office space for the Society and offers new opportunities to network and collaborate with other charities.
Buying National Eczema Society Christmas cards is a great way to raise awareness of eczema, as well as much-needed funds for the charity.
We have a wide selection of designs and they’re easy to buy on ebay.
Just search for ‘National Eczema Society’ and you’ll find them! Thank you for your support.
We are very grateful to the Society’s wonderful West Surrey and NE Hampshire Volunteer Group, which organises these card sales.
We were SO disappointed for all our supporters expecting to take part in the Great South Run earlier this month. The event organiser cancelled the run at short notice, because of heavy rain and strong winds forecast for Portsmouth that day. Safety comes first of course!
We are hugely grateful to everyone who takes on a physical challenge for National Eczema Society, raising much-needed funds and awareness of eczema. You need bags of commitment to train for a race like this, and that’s usually much harder if you have eczema.
Big thanks to our supporters including Jemma (pictured), Sal and Ben who decided to run 10 miles anyway – the equivalent distance of the Great South Run – near where they live. You’re amazing!
Do get in touch if you want to take on a running challenge and support National Eczema Society. More information here and you can email us at fundraising@eczema.org
We’re excited to bring you our latest webinar series, ‘Exploring Eczema’ with National Eczema Society’s Dermatology Nurse Advisor, Julie Van Onselen. We are exploring seven differing eczema topics over the next few months, including to using emollients, managing eczema outside of home and looking after a child with eczema. Each session will be hosted twice, one midday and one early evening slot, so hopefully everyone who’s interest can attend.
The webinars will be livestreamed via Facebook and the recording will remain available to watch afterwards. To be able to participate in the webinar, however, you would need to register in advance via the links below and join on Teams on the day.
More information and how to take part here.
National Eczema Society webinar series
- Managing baby and toddler eczema
- Eczema in school aged children
- Emollients
- Managing eczema flare ups and skin infections
- Contact dermatitis
- Eczema triggers
National Eczema Society is a membership organisation and our members are encouraged to attend and participate in the Society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), usually held in September. You get to hear about the work of the charity over the past year, including the Treasurer’s reports on the Society’s annual accounts. Members are also asked to vote on any resolutions proposed by the Trustees.
Thank you to members who attended our AGM on Wednesday 25 September 2024, held by Zoom video conference.
If you’re not already a member, we’d love you to join National Eczema Society! Our charity has been working hard to make life better for people with eczema and their families for nearly 50 years. Membership costs just £25.00 per year if you live in the UK, and £50.00 for non-UK residents.
As a member, you’ll receive paper copies of our magazine, Exchange, which is packed with features, tips, research news and inspiration to equip and support you on all stages of your eczema journey. You can find out about other benefits of membership and how to join here.
You can read the latest edition of Exchange magazine here!