Welcome to our April newsletter.

This month we shine a spotlight on Stomas and Menopause, look at how you can more confidently communicate with your health care team, and as we all look forward to the summer, share our travel guidance.

We also have the latest Step Up For Stomas news, have you signed up yet? and feature two more organisations who are becoming Stoma Aware

This is your newsletter and we'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch with any comments, or suggestions on topics you would like us to cover.

As Step Up for Stomas – Active April draws to a close we want to highlight one of our brilliant supporters who ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon on the 6^th of April, raising over £1,000 for us in the process!

Like over 4,000 people in the UK each year, Anne-Louise underwent stoma surgery as a result of bowel cancer. Colostomy UK were able to offer Anne-Louise support at the right time allowing her to become comfortable with her new normal.

There’s still time to support us, helping us to be there for everyone that needs us at any stage of their stoma journey. Help us raise the vital funds needed to do this, donate to our Step Up for Stomas – Active April campaign here: Step Up for Stomas - Active April - JustGiving and click ‘GIVE NOW’

Our website includes a new page on Stomas and Menopause

Menopause can affect individuals with stomas, particularly in terms of skin health and bowel habits, due to hormonal changes. Skin may become drier or more sensitive, impacting stoma care, and hormonal fluctuations can alter digestive speed, potentially leading to constipation or diarrhoea. 

Our information page includes a video from Dr Nighat Arif, A GP specialising in women's health, who is also the resident doctor on BBC Breakfast and ITV’s This Morning.

Knowing your rights, or simply knowing what to ask your care team, can be bewildering for anyone living with a stoma, but it can be particularly daunting for anyone who has undergone surgery without prior knowledge of stomas.

This article by Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford in Tidings Magazine, aims to help you with this learning curve: https://online.fliphtml5.com/hilnq/dojc/#p=1

For any further questions, don't hesitate to call our 24-hour stoma helpline on 0800 328 4257

Earlier this month we delivered stoma aware training to a range of frontline staff at Cornwall Newquay Airport — from Assistance and Passenger Services Agents to Security, Café, and Retail teams.

The goal? To make travel smoother, kinder, and more dignified for people living with a stoma.

The training helped staff to:
 Understand the challenges faced by travellers with a stoma
 Learn how to offer respectful and effective support
 Promote inclusivity and meet disability standards
 Break down myths and build empathy

You can find out more about our work with UK airports on our website 

We're delighted to announce that one of the North East's premier entertainment venues now features Stoma Friendly Toilets. You can find out more about Trinity Square Gateshead and their commitment to providing accessible facilities for their community here