About us

The Psoriasis Association is the leading national membership organisation for people affected by psoriasis - patients, families, carers and health professionals.
Founded in 1968 by Dr Dick Coles, a Consultant Dermatologist in Northampton, the Association has three main aims:
1. To support people who have psoriasis
2. To raise awareness about psoriasis
3. To fund research into the causes, treatments and care of psoriasis

Support people with psoriasis
We run a helpline service for people who need information, advice and support and we have a comprehensive range of material available. This includes a selection of leaflets and fact sheets as well as an interactive CD-ROM for children with psoriasis and material specifically for teenagers. Our website is also very informative and we publish a quarterly Journal of up-to-date news.

Raise awareness of psoriasis
We run an annual Awareness Week and we raise awareness of psoriasis at events, meetings and exhibitions. We distribute leaflets and posters to hospitals, clinics and surgeries and work with other health professionals on issues that really matter to patients.

Fund research into psoriasis
We manage an annual research programme which awards grants to high quality research projects. Since the Association was founded 40 years ago, over £2.5 million has been awarded and in 2007 a PhD studentship award was introduced to encourage young researchers.

The Association is managed by a small staff team based in Northampton governed by a board of trustees.
The Association receives no money from government and is dependent on voluntary donations.

We offer information and advice to all who contact us.

We raise awareness of the condition and work with other key health professionals on strategic issues.

We collect money to fund research projects.

We have a membership of 4000 and we receive an average of 18 000 web visits and 300 enquiry calls per month.

We represent the interests of members at a local and national level.

We welcome the development of new local groups.

The Association is a Registered Charity in England and Wales (no.257414) and in Scotland (SC039886)

If you would like further information and a copy of our Annual Report and Accounts please contact us on 08456 760076 or e-mail us directly.