On this International Nurses Day, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Julie Van Onselen, our esteemed Dermatology Nurse Advisor, who has been a vital part of the NES community for over 25 years.
Julie’s dedication, expertise, and passion have made an immeasurable impact on our work and the lives of those we support. Most recently, she has led our Exploring Eczema series with insight and compassion, sharing her knowledge in ways that truly empower and educate. Her regular contributions to our members-only magazine, Exchange, continue to inform and inspire, and her guidance as a member of our Medical Advisory Board helps to shape our approach and priorities.
Julie exemplifies the very best of nursing, skilled, empathetic, collaborative, and driven by a genuine desire to improve care. We are incredibly lucky to have her as part of our team, and we thank her deeply for her tireless work and longstanding commitment to NES.
Thank you, Julie, for everything you do.
On Saturday 1 March, we’re thrilled to host a talk by Dr Ella Guest on the Psycho-Social Impact of Eczema. Attend in person in Guildford, or join us virtually via our live-stream on Facebook – both are completely free!
We’re celebrating the Society’s 50th anniversary in 2025!
It’s an opportunity to reflect on what we’ve achieved and also look forward to creating a better eczema future. National Eczema Society has supported countless people suffering with eczema over the past 50 years, and used our collective voice to campaign for better care. Though much more still needs to be done to improve the lives of people, and their families, living with eczema.
Eczema is a complex medical condition involving our genetics, immune system, environment and skin barrier. Currently, there is no cure for eczema. Until there is, we will work tirelessly to support research to find the answers we desperately need.
Through our determination, we are excited to launch our innovative eczema research programme. With your help, we want to fund ground-breaking, research projects investigating the underlying causes of eczema, explore new approaches to treatment, and, above all, improve the quality of life for everyone living with eczema.
Our charity relies on donations from wonderful supporters like you. By donating to our Christmas appeal, you will help us fund medical advances to make life better for everyone in our eczema community.
Thank you, and very best wishes of the season.
Andrew Proctor, Chief Executive
Dr Alpa Kanji has been appointed as the newest member of our Medical Advisory Board.
Dr Alpa Kanji MA PhD (Cantab) MRCP CCT (Derm) is a scientist by background, having researched bacterial genetics for which she was awarded a PhD at the University of Cambridge. She completed her medical and dermatology training in London and is currently undertaking a fellowship in paediatric dermatology at St John’s Institute of Dermatology. Dr Kanji is particularly interested in atopic eczema, including the mind and skin connection, and is passionate about empowering patients to manage their skin condition as well as possible. She teaches habit reversal therapy, which encourages patients to change longstanding habits of scratching and picking their skin.
I am delighted and excited to be joining the Medical Advisory Board of the National Eczema Society. I hope, together with my esteemed colleagues, to make a positive contribution in supporting those living with this condition.
National Eczema Society’s YouTube channel has gone live!
For those who couldn’t make it on the day or are looking to watch our Exploring Eczema webinars again, you can now watch the full webinar and Q&A session on our YouTube channel.
Each session will be recorded and uploaded, so if you can’t make an upcoming webinar on a topic you’d like to learn about, you can head to our YouTube channel, subscribe, and be notified on when you can watch after the event.
Keep your eyes peeled for other exciting content coming to our channel, soon!
This World Mental Health Day we’re supporting the mental health of those living with eczema. This year’s theme champions the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, for the benefit of people, organisations, and communities.
We’ve created a resource to help facilitate conversations in the workplace about eczema and the impact it can have on mental health.
All too often, members of our community manage their eczema privately, don’t receive adequate support and can be left struggling with their mental health.
Join us, and together let’s change the narrative this World Mental Health Day.