St David’s Catholic Sixth Form College in Cardiff has announced support for the #BetheChange campaign, aimed at educating the public and garnering greater understanding of the needs of people living with hidden illnesses such as a stoma.
The College has adopted new accessible toilet signage, a broken circle, which is designed to encourage entry and be inclusive and supportive of all people living with hidden illnesses, be it Alzheimer’s, a stoma, anxiety or any other of the conditions experienced by people who need to use an accessible toilet but don’t have a visible illness.
The accessible toilet signage has been designed as part of #BetheChange, an initiative led by people from across South Wales who live with a stoma, an opening in the abdomen that can be connected to either your digestive or urinary system to allow waste (urine or faeces) to be diverted out of your body and collected in a bag after part or all of the bowel is removed due to disease or obstruction. They found there was ‘a lack of understanding’, and ‘a need to educate’ society in order to ‘avoid embarrassing situations’. They therefore formed an action group, #BeTheChange Voices, joined forces and called for changes to be made within society, with the help of Cardiff based Respond Healthcare, specialists in stoma and continence care, providing a prescription dispensing service throughout the UK.
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.
The change to accessible public toilet signage, highlighting that not all chronic illnesses and health issues can be seen, is the first step in creating a more understanding and educated society, the group says. Cardiff Council agreed to become the first local authority to pilot the new toilet signage and venues, businesses, and educational centres such as St David’s College are being encouraged to do the same.
Yvonne Prescott, Community Representative for the Senior Leadership Team at St David’s College said:
“The College supports 1700 students and has 130 academic staff, as well as numerous partners and stakeholders, some of whom could be living with an invisible illness.
“When I heard of the #BetheChange campaign therefore, I was delighted to recommend the College gets involved and demonstrate how we aim to support all our students, staff, visitors, and partners, and give them the best experience possible when on campus. We have adopted the new toilet signage on all our accessible toilets.”
The issues faced by people living with a hidden illness can be many and varied as action group member, Rachel Allen from Newport, whose son lives with a stoma explains:
“What worries me as a parent of a child with a stoma is the society we live in where everyone is quick to judge and comment, particularly when looking at my son, who appears to have nothing wrong. Entering accessible toilets, it may appear to some that I’m just doing so because I have a child and it’s easier, believe me when I say, I would give anything not to have to use these toilets. Having the correct signage would take away the stigma and teach people to respect one another for if you don’t know or live with someone with a disability, I can understand it can be hard to relate.”
Respond Healthcare, part of Eakin Healthcare, is supporting the #BetheChange Voices action group and aiming to raise awareness of invisible illness across all of Wales as Stuart Welland, Chief Commercial Officer, Ostomy Division, Eakin Healthcare explains:
“We are delighted that a College with such a strong presence and reputation in Cardiff as St David’s has supported the action group and its calls for new accessible toilet signage. It is a big step that we hope other institutions, local authorities and businesses will replicate across Wales.
“Over 10,000 people are said to live with a stoma in Wales but when you factor in visitors to Wales and all the other hidden illnesses and conditions, it really makes things clear why change and education is needed. We will be working with charities and associations to form one unified voice in calling for continued change and look forward to seeing what the future brings.”
Respond Healthcare provides dispensing, home delivery and support services to the stoma and continence care community.
