Support for you
One to one support
Having a urinary diversion can be daunting, but our trained volunteers can provide reassuring, confidential one to one support, by telephone, face-to-face or through our branches and groups. All our volunteers are urostomates themselves, so can understand your concerns.
Frequently asked questions
If you’re facing, or living with a urinary diversion, you’ve probably got lots of questions. Do check out our FAQs and see if we can help.
‘Meet the experts’ webinars
Whether you’re considering or already have a urinary diversion, you may have questions about how this might affect your life. We’ve been designing a series of webinars to explore some of the most common topics.
Local support
In some areas of the UK, local groups offer mutual support and information. These groups have a range of in-person and online meetings.
Helpline
It’s not unusual to feel anxious when you have, or are facing, a urinary diversion. And it isn’t always easy to talk to family and friends. But don’t worry, you can call our helpline for support, advice and help.
Facebook group
Why not join our Urostomy Association Help and Support Group? It is a supportive community for people living with a urinary diversion or preparing for their surgery. Family members and carers will also find it a helpful.
The Journal
Packed with real life stories, advice, support, top tips and much more, The Journal is written exclusively for people living with, or facing, a urinary diversion. It is published three times a year and available digitally or through your door.
Attend an event
You may like getting together to share tips and experiences. Knowing that others understand what life is like with a urinary diversion can be empowering. On our events page you can see what’s being organised by our groups, branches, suppliers and others.
The urostomy blog
Inside the crisis: what Ketamine Bladder means for patients and providers
As part of the Urostomy Association’s investigation into the incidence and impact of Ketamine Bladder, Samantha Sherratt interviews Rebecca Kellett, Senior Benign Urology Nurse Specialist at Royal Devon Hospitals.
My journey to a urostomy: Aimee’s story
Two years ago, 21-year-old Aimee was enjoying a day out in London, when everything changed in the blink of an eye. Today, she’s a urostomate, navigating life with a stoma, sharing her journey online, and feeling hopeful for the future.
From cancer diagnosis to coastal adventures
Ruth, 54, had been working in the NHS for over 30 years, and never imagined she’d be navigating retirement due to ill health. In this blog, Ruth describes her bladder cancer journey and how she’s finding her rhythm again with her micro-camper, Biffy!
Nothing is beyond you
Paul Weaver felt like a fit and healthy 68 year old, but was knocked sideways when he received a bladder cancer diagnosis in July 2023. In this blog, Paul describes how he came through the worst, and took up his beloved sports again.
Meet Little Miss Urostomy
Lorna was really young when she began experiencing UTIs. But the urologist couldn’t identify why, so treated her with long-term antibiotics. The infections did clear up but the symptoms she was having got worse. Read Lorna’s inspirational story of why she’s raising awareness of Interstitial Cystitis.
Four years on
For walking football enthusiast Jonathan Fry, taking part in the sport is about more than keeping fit. It’s an opportunity to show what’s still possible living with a stoma.
Accentuating the positive
From making friends at primary school to carving out a career in nursing and taking on epic sporting challenges, Julie Mason-Wright, 54, hasn’t let having a stoma hold her back. Read her story of positivity and resilience.
The kindest cut
Roger Bowen understands how it feels to grow up being ‘different’. Now 69, he has lived with a urostomy since boyhood. As Roger shares in this blog, he’s encouraged that there’s now more understanding for ostomates of all ages, helping them embrace life with greater confidence.
From shock diagnosis to stoma pride
Cathy Varley thought that 2024 was going to be her year. But a shock diagnosis of bladder cancer threw her into turmoil. In this interview, conducted just four months after her surgery, Cathy describes how she has not only came to terms with her urostomy, but has grown to be proud of it!
Restoring my mental health
For Gary Layzell, adapting to life with a urostomy has been as much about looking after his mind and emotions as it has regaining physical fitness post surgery. Both mentally and physically, he has found new strength from sport and camaraderie that is helping him face the future with hope.
Latest news
Rising pressures, complex cases
10 July 2025A growing number of young people in the UK are facing devastating bladder damage due to their recreational ketamine use. The UA is launching a new study to investigate the incidence and impact of ‘Ketamine Bladder’, both on the users themselves, and the services which support them.
Help Provide Hope Campaign
30 June 2025September is Urology Awareness Month – and it’s time to take our Help Provide Hope Appeal up a level! You can get involved in one, or all, of these three powerful ways …
In memory of Eileen Spraggon
30 May 2025Sometimes there are people who leave a profound mark on the world; Eileen Spraggon was one of them. As we mark her sad passing, we celebrate Eileen’s incredible life, her long career in nursing, and the unforgettable contribution she made to the Urostomy Association.
Rebecca’s making the headlines
29 May 2025When the folk at Chat were looking for an inspirational woman to feature on their health page, we knew just the person! Huge thanks to Rebecca for sharing how she overcame tough challenges to embrace life to the full again, riding motorbikes, flying planes, and even posing for a lingerie brand’s photoshoot proudly showing her bag.
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month 2025
29 April 2025Receiving a bladder cancer diagnosis and being told that you will never wee normally again can be terrifying. That’s why its so important to have trusted information to hand. To mark this Bladder Cancer Awareness Month 2025, we highlight the information on our website that patients might find useful at the early stages following diagnosis.
Hospital Saturday Fund supports Help Provide Hope project
17 January 2025Most people have never heard of a urostomy or urinary diversion, and cannot imagine life without a functioning bladder. So we’re delighted to have received £9,475 from the Hospital Saturday Fund toward our Help Provide Hope project. The project is enabling us to expand the peer-reviewed resources we have available, one-to-one, online and in more traditional formats.
Help shape the future of medical devices
16 December 2024National Voices (of which the Urostomy Association is a member) has launched a survey to find out more about people’s experiences of using medical devices and products. Have your say for a chance to win £250!
Insights survey
30 August 2024Have your say! Take part in our ‘Life with a urinary diversion: insights survey’ to help pinpoint the strengths and gaps in urinary diversion care.
** This survey has now closed **
Improving patients’ experiences of diagnosis
27 June 2024We are a member of National Voices, a coalition of more than 200 like-minded charities. We have joined together to launch a collaborative vision for improving patients’ experience of the diagnosis process.
Launching rare and less common cancers manifesto
3 May 2024The Urostomy Association has joined with Cancer52 and others in the release of ‘The Other Half. A manifesto to transform outcomes for people with rare and less common cancers’.
Support our work
Give as you earn to make a difference
Payroll giving is a straightforward, tax-effective way you can donate regularly to help ensure that no one facing surgery for a urinary diversion, or recovering after their operation, feels isolated or overwhelmed.
Fundraise for us
There are many ways to get involved in fundraising for us; we’ll support you every step of the way and spend every penny you raise with care.
Help Provide Hope Appeal
Being told that you will never wee normally again is terrifying. Most people have never heard of a urinary diversion, and simply cannot imagine going through life without a functioning bladder. That’s why we’re running our Help provide hope appeal.
200+ Club prize draw
Play our 200+ Club, and do great things! You will be helping to bring support and reassurance for people facing or following a urinary diversion, while being in the chance to win yourself up to £250!
Volunteer with us
Make a difference – join our valued volunteers! Kind hearted and community spirited, our valued volunteers are the lifeblood of the Urostomy Association.
How your money helps
We are grateful for every gift we receive. Whether this be a first donation, regular monthly gift, a funeral collection, a gift in celebration, or following some fantastic fundraising. Please know we spend every penny with great care. See how your money helps…
Remember someone special
We are always touched to receive in memory donations. Whether this is through a funeral collection or fundraising event, we will ensure your gift goes toward supporting urostomates and their loved ones, wherever they are on their personal journey.
Make a regular donation
Regular, monthly donations are crucial because life with a urinary diversion can feel daunting. It’s vital that people have somewhere to turn for reassurance, from diagnosis to living life to the full again. We provide that support, but can only do so with kind donations.
Giving in celebration
Giving in celebration is an uplifting way to raise funds and make a real difference to the lives of people living with urinary diversions. By asking your loved ones to make a donation instead of giving presents, you can promote and support our ongoing work.
Gifts in wills
Since the Urostomy Association began in 1971 we’ve supported thousands of people living with a urinary diversion. Will you leave a gift in your Will, so we can continue provide reassurance to anxious people long into the future?
Friends and partners
Advertising disclaimer: The Urostomy Association has no control over the content of any external links. The display, description or demonstration of products and services on this page or within this site does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of these products or services by the Urostomy Association.