A lack of understanding’, ‘a need to educate’, ‘avoid embarrassing situations’; these are just some of the reasons why a group of people living with a stoma have joined forces and are calling for changes to be made within society. Pelican, and our sister company Respond Healthcare, are helping the group get their message out.

Coming together from across South Wales, the action group has called for Wales to lead the way nationally and for Cardiff to become the capital of the UK for understanding the needs of people living with a stoma and more widely invisible illnesses. They also want Local Authorities across Wales to adjust waste collections in recognition of the issues people with a stoma face.

There is a lack of general understanding of the difficulties people living with a stoma face on a daily basis. With this in mind, the group is asking for changes to be made in daily society including, new signage to be used on all public toilets telling people that not all chronic illnesses and health issues can be seen. The campaign is starting in Cardiff, and will hopefully spread across the UK.