Patients living with a stoma came together with specialist healthcare teams, charities and suppliers at a refreshed community support event.
The open day brought together organisations offering products and services for people living with a stoma, giving patients the opportunity to meet providers, ask questions and find out more about the support available to them.
Both new and existing patients from Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust attended the marketplace event at St Andrew’s Church, which aimed to help people access advice, explore available products and connect with support services.
One of those attending was Kevin Titley, 67, from Walsall, who is living with a stoma following surgery after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Kevin described the event as “extremely supportive”.
He said: “I had my operation in March 2025 and the team were brilliant.
“As someone who lives with a stoma, it is so difficult to get lots of advice and support on what is on offer but with events like this today, it has been brilliant and has really brightened my day. I am so grateful to the team who have put this on and I look forward to having more in the future.”
Ginny Hill, Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist, said: “The aim of the day was to help patients feel supported and give them the opportunity to speak to a variety of services all in one place.
“It has been really nice to see both old and new patients and give them the chance to find out what is now available to them.”
The companies and organisations attending included:
- CUI Support Wear
- Suportx Support Wear
- Coloplast
- Pelican
- Salts
- Dansac
- Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association
- Holly Trust
- Colostomy UK
Ginny added: “A big thank you to all the companies who supported the day, as well as Bishop Paul at St Andrew’s Church. Thank you to the whole colorectal team, with special thanks to Kate Davies and Lara Bland for their help in making the event happen.”