Check back here the week before for the agenda and zoom link. Read more
This June, Marie Pinkstone (CLEFT Trustee) and Izzy Snape, one of our Trainee section members, introduced CLEFT to Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) students at University College London. Their presentation coincided with the North Thames Cleft Service's lectures at Great Ormond Street Hospital and aimed to showcase CLEFT's history, ethos, and opportunities for involvement. Read more
Team CLEFT had six incredible riders take part in RideLondon-Essex 100 on Sunday May 28th 2024. They embarked on an exhilarating journey through the streets of London and the picturesque lanes of Essex, all united by a common goal: to raise funds and awareness for CLEFT. With every mile pedalled and every hill conquered, they brought us closer to making a real difference in the lives of those affected by cleft lip and palate. Read more
The annual conference held by the Craniofacial Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2024 took place in Manchester this April. The conference is always a fantastic opportunity for new and experienced clinicians to meet and share information on a wide variety of subjects. CLEFT was very proud to see three members of the Trainee Section deliver presentations, and one member contributed to an academic poster. Read more
Shonnelly Novintan has created some insightful videos by collaborating with clinicians from the CLEFT Trustee board and steering committees. The videos look at why they pursued their chosen career paths, what their motivation was for joining the CLEFT charity and what advice they would give trainee surgeons thinking about pursuing a career in cleft care. Read more
Izzy joined the Trainee Section at the end of 2023 and has been an important and valued member of the group since then, working to raise awareness of Speech and Language Therapy amongst young cleft professionals. Izzy's path to joining the Trainee Section took a few steps over a few weeks and was an important journey for both Izzy and Shonnelly (Trainee Section Chair) to take together. Read more
During his visit to Dhaka earlier this year, Mr Brian Sommerlad (Chair of CLEFT and Consultant Plastic Surgeon) saw a number of familiar faces in the clinic. Shahriah and Khadjiatul are two patients requiring a large number of operations and complex treatments throughout their lifetime. Read more
What is the role of a Psychologist in cleft care in the UK and is there any reason why the same principles can't be applied in lower and middle income countries? Dr Kate le Maréchal, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Head of Service for the Evelina London Cleft Service delves into the importance of the Psychologist as part of the multidisciplinary care given to cleft patients and their families. Read more
Our new film shines a light on the twinning relationship, developed between Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary and the Kirtipur Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. Filmed by Prasuna Dongol, a Nepalese film maker based in Kathmandu herself, and edited by Paul Whittaker, this is a fascinating insight into how different cleft disciplines can work together to provide a more holistic approach to treatment. Read more
Take part in celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Spires Cleft Centre on the 16th and 17th May, with a two-day hybrid educational event for those in the field of cleft care, to commemorate two decades of transforming lives together! Read more
The CLEFT chairman, Brian, visited Sohag on 4th February, for the 12th time since 2010, to hold an operative workshop with the local team in Sohag University Hospital carrying on the links between CLEFT and the cleft lip and palate team in Sohag. Read more
Will and Shonnelly, the Chairs of the CLEFT Trainee Section, conquered the Dorney Duathlon and raised an amazing £1223. Read more
Awarded the title of the best half marathon in Spain, by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, this city centre course winds its way through the beautiful streets of Valencia, as well as the Maritime Quarter. As well as being named the best, it’s also the country’s fastest half marathon. Part of the famous SuperHalfs Series. Read more
Since it was founded in 2003, the Cardiff Half Marathon has established itself as one of the UK’s leading road races and one of the biggest events in Europe. Part of the coveted SuperHalfs Series, the iconic route takes in all of the city’s most famous landmarks including Cardiff Bay, the Civic Centre and Cardiff Castle. Read more
Established in 2015 and part of the coveted SuperHalfs Series, Copenhagen Half Marathon has quickly become one of Europe’s must-run races. Known as a world record course, it can be enjoyed by runners of all levels with its flat, wide and traffic-free course, traversing famous sights such as The Parliament Christiansborg and The Black Diamant. Read more
This March, CLEFT is pleased to be co-hosting the first Craniofacial Society of Great Britain & Ireland pre-conference webinars for clinicians, trainees and students involved in cleft care. Working in collaboration with the CFSGBI and CLAPA, registration can be made now. Read more
CLEFT has strong links with the Craniofacial Society of Great Britain and Ireland and for the last few years, has been striving for even greater collaboration with our shared commitment to improving treatment for patients through multidisciplinary cleft care. Read more
What a year 2023 has been! We've celebrated all our fundraisers' achievements and have been in awe of their amazing achievements. From jumping out of planes to walking to the top of mountains in the stifling heat, here is a roundup of some of the highlights! Read more
Canadian charity, Transforming Faces, is a founding sponsor of the global network of cleft professionals and charity leaders committed to promoting Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC) in resource-constrained contexts. CLEFT is proud to be one of the eleven cleft NGOS that backs the CoCP, working together to enable collaboration and learning amongst cleft professionals from all around the world. Read more
Niza was a 3 month-old baby with an incomplete bilateral cleft (partial double-sided) lip and cleft palate. The first operation was to repair the lip and the front of the palate. The rest of the palate will be repaired by the team in Sulaimania in 3-6 months' time. Read more
Shonnelly Novintan is Chair of the Trainee Section and is one of the founding members of this group. The Trainee Section has quietly and carefully found its place within the charity and we are exceptionally proud of the group's enthusiasm and commitment. Shonnelly has some exciting plans for the year ahead so watch this space! Read more
Barts and the London Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgical Society National Undergraduate Conference 2024. Read more
Brian Sommerlad recently returned from his tenth visit to the cleft centre in Sulaimania in the Kurdish region of Iraq where he was able to attend the unveiling of the new operating microscope, donated by CLEFT. Read more
One of our primary aims is to focus on multidisciplinary and comprehensive care for all children, young people and adults affected by cleft. Speech and Language Therapists play a vital role in the delivery of multidisciplinary care and enable patients to achieve their potential. One of CLEFT's trustees and recently retired speech therapist, Marie Pinkstone, shares why working with colleagues overseas has played such an important part in helping to build a stronger multidisciplinary team. Read more