Welcome to our April Newsletter

Step Up for Stomas, Active April

Active April brought our community together to Step Up for Stomas, raising vital funds and awareness. Inspired by the 55 people who have stoma surgery every day in the UK, 110 supporters took on challenges and raised an amazing £15,000. There’s still time to help us reach our target. If everyone reading this donated just £1, we could get there. Please donate today - every gift helps us be there for people living with a stoma.

Donate today

We’re pleased to see real progress in our campaign for stoma friendly accessible toilets. In one of his final contributions in the Scottish Parliament this session, Edward Mountain MSP highlighted the difference simple changes can make for people living with a stoma. NHS Highland and the Scottish Parliament have already made improvements, and Morrisons has committed to making its accessible toilets stoma friendly across the UK. Tesco, Morrisons and Asda have also agreed to review their policies. These changes can be as simple as adding a mirror, hook and shelf, but they can make a huge difference to dignity, confidence and independence when away from home. Read more about the progress so far and find out how you can help us keep pushing for change.

Edward Mountain secures Stoma Friendly legacy on Stoma-Friendly Accessible Toilets

We’re pleased to see progress in our campaign for stoma friendly accessible toilets. Edward Mountain MSP recently highlighted how simple changes can make a big difference, and NHS Highland, the Scottish Parliament and Morrisons have already taken action. Tesco, Morrisons and Asda have also agreed to review their policies.

Small additions like a mirror, hook and shelf can greatly improve dignity, confidence and independence. Read more about the progress so far and how you can help us keep pushing for change.

Changing your stoma pouch shouldn’t be difficult and certainly shouldn’t cause skin trauma or pain.

CliniPeel is a medical adhesive remover that aids in quick and easy stoma pouch removal. It helps avoid skin stripping and pain. Its alcohol-free formulation dries rapidly, leaving no residue on the skin which allows for the re-application of your stoma pouch.

Click here to order your free sample.

CliniShield Advance is a barrier film that provides an ideal surface for the adhesion of stoma flanges. It also helps shield intact skin from the harmful effects of bodily fluids.

Click here to order your free sample.

Colostomy UK teams up with Arsenal to make Emirates Stadium more stoma friendly

We’re proud to be working with Arsenal Football Club to help make Emirates Stadium more stoma friendly.

Thanks to improved awareness and better facilities, fans living with a stoma can feel more confident and supported on matchdays.

In our video, Arsenal’s Disability Access Manager, Aaron Heskins, and Alan Schneider share why these changes matter.

Watch Full Video!

A huge well done to Jessica for her fantastic interview on BBC Merseyside about our Step Up For Stomas, Active April challenge!

Every year in the UK, more than 21,000 people undergo stoma surgery - that’s 55 people every day.

Jessica was amazing - speaking so passionately about why this campaign matters. We’re incredibly proud of her and grateful for the difference she makes by helping raise awareness.

Watch Full Video!

If flying with a stoma feels daunting, you are not alone. Our You Can Fly! guide, created with ostomate Ifrah Mohamed, is packed with practical advice to help you travel with more confidence, comfort and dignity. It covers planning ahead, booking assistance, getting through security, what to pack in your hand luggage, and your rights at the airport and on board. The page also includes a downloadable travel certificate and a handy checklist, so you can feel more prepared before you set off.

Navigating Air Travel with a Stoma or Disability

If flying with a stoma feels daunting, you’re not alone. Our You Can Fly! guide, created with ostomate Ifrah Mohamed, offers practical tips on planning ahead, airport assistance, security, packing and your travel rights.

Read the guide and download your travel certificate

Top Ten Urostomy Tips and Tricks

Looking for practical ways to make life with a urostomy easier? Our latest blog shares ten practical tips to make life with a urostomy easier, from staying hydrated and spotting UTI signs to managing nights, swimming and finding the right support wear.

Read the top tips

Tom Plater – 252 Miles. One Body. Still Moving Forward

In May, Tom Plater is taking on the Cocodona 250, a 252-mile ultramarathon across the deserts and mountain ranges of Arizona. It is an extraordinary challenge that will test endurance, resilience and determination to the limit. As the blog says, this is about more than the finish line. It is about refusing to stop and using every mile to make a difference.

Read Tom’s story and support his challenge

We’d love to hear your ideas for Active Ostomates: At Home. Active Ostomates offers online group sessions for people living with a stoma, supporting physical and mental wellbeing. We’re exploring new session ideas and would like to know what you’d find most helpful or enjoyable. This could include: Gentle movement, such as Tai Chi Pilates or yoga Low-impact cardio Online peer support groups Wellbeing and confidence sessions Dance or movement A book club Creative sessions, such as art or crafts Fun social sessions, including quizzes, games or bingo To share your thoughts, email getinvolved@colostomyuk.org.

Help shape the future of Active Ostomates

We're looking to expand our Active Ostomates: At Home programme to better support people's physical activity, confidence and mental wellbeing after stoma formation surgery.

Our current programme runs 8 classes of Pilates, Mindfulness, Yoga and Chair Yoga three times a year. These classes are free, gentle and virtual.

Whether you’ve joined a session before or not, your feedback will help us understand what you'd like to see in the future and what looking after your wellbeing means to you.

Please complete the following survey which should only take a couple of minutes to have your say: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AOSURVEY

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