Following a year of unprecedented growth, AbScent, the charity that supports people impacted by all types of smell disorders, is to bolster its team with a range of senior, strategic hires. AbScent has stepped in to support people experiencing Covid 19 related smell loss and other smell disorders, both in the UK and globally, amidst an environment of limited support and diagnosis from traditional medical channels.

AbScent’s membership of 65,000+ people have sought help through the charity’s online forums and support groups. There has been exponential growth through the charity’s social media channels and specifically the Facebook groups AbScent Covid 19 Smell and Taste loss  and AbScent Parosmia and Phantosmia Support. AbScent offers general advice, support and smell training kits. Smell training is a well researched supportive technique which has been shown to improve sense of smell.  The new team includes:

• Sarah Oakley joins as Executive Director responsible for marketing and strategic direction. Sarah was previously Head of National Programs at the Macular Society where she was responsible for the strategic development and delivery of services that provided information, support and practical advice to people affected by Macular disease

• Angela Lathwell joins as Fundraising Manager responsible for developing a robust programme of corporate and individual donation. Angela is a seasoned fundraising professional previously at the Southampton Hospital Charity and The Gurka Welfare Trust
• Green Row Communications have been appointed to implement a consumer and trade PR programme to raise awareness of smell loss, and increase the charity’s profile. Green Row Communications is a specialist food, drink and healthcare PR agency whose clients include The Red Tractor Food Standard Assurance Scheme, Lidl, The London Opthalmic Centre (LondonOC), The Regenerative Clinic and Together Dental

Chrissi Kelly, Founder, AbScent, retains her role in working with leading researchers to increase understanding of olfactory illnesses. She said; “In the last 18 months there has been an extraordinary increase in awareness around smell and taste loss. So many people have had to come to terms with their own problems, and proactively seek the help that they so desperately need. But what we must remember is that although we are now at the forefront of people’s minds, smell and taste loss happen all the time and not just in times of Covid 19. Viruses, trauma and even cognitive impairment contribute to smell loss, and with profound repercussions for mental health, happiness, and relationships. It’s time to make a lasting change in outcomes for those people affected”.

Sarah Oakley, Executive Director, AbScent, said; “I am delighted to be joining AbScent to drive forward a charity that is making such a powerful positive impact in the lives of so many people. The work that has been done so far by Chrissi, and her scientific team is truly inspiring, and it feels like we have potential to make amazing changes for people with smell loss. We have ambitious plans for AbScent which are going to include developing further resources, especially in the food and drink sector to help with practical day to day living for people living with smell loss.”

AbScent’s active membership is made up of more than 65,000 people who have proactively sought help through the charity’s online forums and support groups. There has been exponential growth the charity’s social media channels and specifically the Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/AbScentParosmia

Smell loss covers a number of conditions including anosmia, hyposmia, parosmia, and phantosmia. AbScent is an unrivalled resource of trusted information delivered with the help of a distinguished advisory board. . They advocate for increased understanding and raised awareness of olfactory conditions and support research.