The gift of giving

Do you have any unopened skincare sitting at the back of the cupboards in your clinic, gathering dust? Northern Institute of Facial Aesthetics aesthetic nurse prescriber and lead trainer Susan Young has set up a charitable initiative to make sure surplus products don’t go to waste…

A charity which provides skincare to female victims of violence has been set up by Northern Institute of Facial Aesthetics aesthetic nurse prescriber and lead trainer Susan Young. Young, who is also an international clinical educator for PCA Skin and the regional trainer for Teoxane, set up the Maliha Skin Foundation to provide great skincare to female victims of violence.

“I set the charity up for several reasons, but my inspirational patients were the main one,” said Young. “In the clinic, as nurses, we are in the very privileged position of trust. We find our patients opening up about their lives, good and bad. We often share laughs, but also tears.”

Several of Young’s clients have confided in her about their experiences of domestic abuse and violence. “I listen and empathise, as a past victim of domestic violence, and help these ladies feel a bit better about themselves,” she says.

“Often, the treatments I provide for them that day are ‘on the house’. I’ve spoken to other nurses about this and I’m by no means the only one who hears these stories or gifts services in these situations.

I had an excess of stock that wasn’t selling and was wondering how to market it, sell it or provide ‘added value’ to existing patients, but then I decided I’d rather give it to someone in need. My obvious choice would be women who have the strength to leave domestic violence and find themselves in the wonderful refuges that protect and care for them. These women most often leave with nothing packed, just the clothes on their backs and often with their children. They are given basic care packages on arrival. I thought: ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if they had some good skincare to make them feel good, cared for and give them a little confidence?’, and so, the Maliha Skin Foundation was born.”

Young chose to call the initiative Maliha, as it is a women’s name that means strength and beauty. The foundation collects unopened skincare products that have been gifted to people who don’t want them, are in excess at pharmacies or distributors, or are short dated.

“People have been very generous, and I would like to give a big shout-out to my lovely friends at Teoxane, who donated a huge amount to the charity. We distribute the products to local refuges; I dropped off a nice collection just before Christmas!”

To get involved with the Maliha Skin Foundation, follow the initiative’s Facebook page. Those who are local to South Shields (where Young is based) can drop off any skincare at the Northern Institute for Facial Aesthetics. Alternatively, message Young directly via https://northerninstitutefacialaesthetics.co.uk/ for the best address to send packages.

Even one small item would be gratefully received.