Unreal Charity

Who we are

Unreal offers support and information to people with lived experience of Depersonalisation and Derealisation (DPDR) - including people experiencing symptoms themselves and their carers, friends and families. We aim to raise awareness of DPDR, provide up to date medically-validated information, signpost people to relevant resources, push for policy change, assist in research studies and help people living with DPDR to meet others through our flagship Peer Support Programme to support each other.

Our culture and values

Experiencing Depersonalisation and Derealisation can be frightening and isolating and many people often struggle to put into words what they're experiencing. For years there was almost nowhere for those with DPDR to turn for understanding or support. Unreal was founded in 2019 to change that. Since then we've raised the profile of DPDR in the national media, including The Metro, The Guardian and BBC Radio 4. We’ve co-written the British Medical Journal entry on DPDR, and initiated a parliamentary debate that led to a roundtable with clinicians and policymakers and the commissioning of a dedicated training course.

Our flagship Peer Support Programme has now offered over 1,500 places to people living with DPDR, and we continue to contribute to academic research and speak at national and international conferences to raise awareness of the condition.

Why join our board?

We are a small, passionate team and we take care of the people who give their time to us. Here is what being part of our board looks like:

- The chance to make a real difference to people who are often isolated, misunderstood and in urgent need of support.

- The chance to build meaningful networks with clinicians, researchers, policymakers and fellow advocates.

- The satisfaction of giving something back to an organisation that genuinely values everyone who contributes to it.

- The reward of helping shape the next chapter of a charity at an exciting and significant moment in its growth.

- The chance to work with a warm, dedicated and passionate group of people, including our brilliant network of volunteers and ambassadors.

- Induction, mentoring, and ongoing support provided.

- Personal and professional development through training and board experience.

- Development of leadership, governance, and decision-making experience.

- Exposure to charity sector governance and board-level responsibilities.

- The opportunity to raise your public profile and be associated with a cause that is gaining real momentum.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of DPDR, including carers, friends and family members, as well as clinicians and researchers working in the field. We also welcome applications from those underrepresented in charity leadership.

We want to make this process as straightforward and human as possible. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an informal conversation with one or more of our trustees, giving you a chance to find out more about us and for us to learn more about you. Successful candidates will then be invited to a formal panel interview with set questions. 

Interviews will be held virtually, though if you would prefer to meet in person we will do our best to accommodate this.

We are committed to making this process as accessible as possible. If you require any adjustments to support your application or participation in the interview process, please do get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate you. You can contact us at [email protected].

We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do, including in how we recruit. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of DPDR, and from those who are underrepresented in charity leadership.