Lack of sleep, endless skin irritation, itchiness and pain, frustration, decreased self-esteem and quality of life. These are only some of the symptoms felt by those affected by eczema. While eczema is a very common skin condition affecting 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adults, there is currently no permanent cure, and available treatments can be ineffective, difficult to use and make performing daily activities a challenge.
Welcome to Surface Echoes, a ScotPen Wellcome Award funded creative project amplifying the lived experiences of individuals affected by eczema.
From this page you can download a printable PDF and/or an audio version of a script, created from verbatim quotes of people affected by eczema.
The PDF script was designed as a training resource, to be used primarily by health care professionals and medical and nursing students, but we welcome anyone with a professional or personal interest in or experience of eczema to download and use. The PDF is intended as an A4 printable resource, to be used in training sessions, for small groups of 3-10 people. We would suggest printing one copy per training session participant. The training session is intended to be a collective reading experience, with participants taking turns to read sections of the script out loud (further instructions are included in the PDF resource).
An audio version of the script is available to listen to online, or to download (as a xx file) and listen to from digital devices, i.e. computer, mobile phone or tablet. We welcome anyone with a professional or personal interest in or experience of eczema to download and listen.
Surface Echoes was developed over three years with input from creative professionals, individuals affected by eczema, arts and health researchers. It brings to life the everyday challenges and emotional impact of living with the condition. It serves as a tool to create empathy, spark conversation, and deepen understanding of the realities of living with eczema.
Please access this resource click on the “download resource” button below. A form willYou will need to complete the form below to tell us a little bit about who are you before downloading. We welcome your thoughts about the experience of using the Surface Echoes resource; there will be a link for feedback on the next page or you can email us at: surfaceechoes@ed.ac.uk.
Thank you for listening to these voices.
READ ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT BELOW
Meet the Team
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Monet Goode
Prof. Sara Brown is a clinical academic dermatologist, caring for patients of all ages with a range of skin diseases, but specialising in eczema. Sara’s research focuses on understanding how a person’s genetic make-up predisposes to the inflammatory skin disease atopic eczema and associated systemic conditions. The ultimate aim of Sara’s work is to define targets for the development of new and better treatments for people affected by eczema, dry skin and related allergic conditions.
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Emmett Marsh
DESIGN DIRECTOR
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Eleanor Parks
SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR
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Karl Holland
SALES MANAGER
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Jaya Dixon
MARKETING DIRECTOR
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Jamie Kokot
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER
MEET THE TEAM:
Prof. Sara Brown is a clinical academic dermatologist, caring for patients of all ages with a range of skin diseases, but specialising in eczema. Sara’s research focuses on understanding how a person’s genetic make-up predisposes to the inflammatory skin disease atopic eczema and associated systemic conditions. The ultimate aim of Sara’s work is to define targets for the development of new and better treatments for people affected by eczema, dry skin and related allergic conditions.
Beverley Hood’s creative research work interrogates the impact of technology on the body, relationships and human experience through the creation of digital media and performance arts projects, and writing. She has extensive experience of collaborative work and project development involving a range of practitioners, including medical researchers, scientists, writers, technologists, dancers, actors and composers. Beverley’s work has been performed, screened and exhibited at leading international venues.
Dee Davision is the Public Engagement Manager at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer. She helps the staff and students within the institute to develop their science communication, public engagement skills and confidence so that they can start conversations and share their science.
Dr Alison Mayne is a researcher in everyday craft and wellbeing, with additional interests in digital communities and design for older people. She holds awards from Women’s History Scotland, The Pasold Fund and is a University of Glasgow 2020-22 Visiting Library Fellow, supported by the William Lind Foundation.
Eczema Outreach Support (EOS) is a charity that supports a membership of over 3000 families and individuals affected by eczema, providing a high standard of information, activities and peer-to-peer mentoring. In this project, EOS will enable an independent group of people affected by eczema to provide consultancy and co-development of the work for future public distribution and exhibition.
Dr Keira Tucker is the ASCUS Manager with a background in microbiology and experience in the delivery of public engagement projects. She is overseeing the communication of the project to public facing audiences.
This work is funded by the ScotPen Wellcome Engagement Award.