CLEFT

Who we are

Our Mission

We advance cleft care globally through world-class research and long-term, locally rooted partnerships that improve treatments, share expertise and build lasting capability where it is needed most, so cleft can be treated properly, for life.

This year marks an important milestone for CLEFT, as we celebrate five years since becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. It is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come, and to thank the supporters, partners and volunteers who have made that progress possible.

What we do:

Research

We fund research projects across the UK to develop new and kinder treatments and to better understand why outcomes vary. We also support local research projects in our partner countries, building scientific capability alongside clinical capacity for long-term care.

International

We support medical teams in lower to middle income countries, working hand in hand with local clinicians to establish permanent, multi-disciplinary centres. We provide training, equipment and long-term support, so that the care we help build outlasts any individual project or visits and people can access high-quality care for as long as they need it.

We have developed a twinning arrangement for most of our international work, with cleft centres in the UK teaming up with an overseas centre to share expertise and experience.

Our culture and values

At CLEFT, we are a small, committed team brought together by a shared belief that everyone born with a cleft deserves access to high quality care, wherever they are in the world.

Our work is rooted in partnership. We collaborate closely with clinicians, researchers and local teams in the UK and overseas, building long term relationships that create lasting change rather than short term fixes. We value trust, respect and shared learning in everything we do.

We are ambitious about our impact but practical in our approach. As a small charity, we work in a way that is hands-on, flexible and solutions focused. Everyone plays an active role, and we support each other to get the work done without unnecessary hierarchy or complexity.

We place a strong emphasis on ownership and accountability. We trust our team to manage their work, take initiative and bring ideas forward, while staying focused on delivering meaningful results for the people and communities we serve.

We are also committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, both within our team and in our work. We aim to listen, learn and ensure that our programmes reflect and support the needs of the communities we partner with.

Above all, we are driven by purpose. We care deeply about the work we do and the difference it makes, and we are looking for people who share that sense of motivation and want to be part of a team where their contribution truly matters.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We are committed to creating an environment in which everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, religions and beliefs. We have a strong commitment to training and workforce development.