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
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.
Help for hernias
Urostomates are prone to ‘parastomal’ hernias. They rarely cause major complications but can sometimes interfere with stoma function and the security of your appliance. So, it’s important to know how to minimise your risk, and when to seek advice from your stoma nurse.
Receiving stoma products: know your rights
While the delivery of stoma supplies is typically reliable, there’s always the possibility that you could encounter challenges in receiving the right product when you need it. If this happens to you, knowing your rights as an ostomate can help you manage a situation that can feel stressful as well as being very inconvenient.
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!
Beyond the high
In her blog, Jasmine King explores the unexpected crisis unfolding in urology clinics nationwide as more young adults grapple with bladder issues tied to their recreational Ketamine use.
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.
Tailored solutions
Since his surgery in 2019, urostomate Wil has gradually got back to enjoying an active lifestyle again, from cycling to gardening and going on holiday. In his blog, he shares the creative solutions he has found to help him overcome challenges he has faced along the way.
Understanding and managing mucus
The production of mucus is normal and healthy. It is part of living with a urostomy. However, the overproduction of mucus can be a common concern among urostomates. In his blog, Paul Russell-Roberts explores what’s normal and what might require a trip to the GP or stoma care nurse.
Latest news
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’.
Could you be our new Treasurer?
31 March 2024Are you as good with figures as you are with people, and keen to make a difference as a volunteer? Do you care about people adapting to life with a urinary diversion? If so, you could be the Treasurer we’re seeking!
Boys need bins – campaign update
28 February 2024Our Boys need Bins campaign continues to go from strength to strength, as we call for male sanitary bins to be available in men’s toilets UK-wide. This way, men with incontinence can dispose of their sanitary waste easily, safely and with dignity.
Supporting the Manifesto for Equitable Healthcare
19 February 2024In what is likely to be an election year, we are proud to join National Voices in its Manifesto for Equitable Healthcare, putting forward three general election priorities.
Understanding peristomal skin conditions: survey
17 January 2024Urostomy Association supports Hollister Ltd in promoting a new survey to gain a deeper understanding of individuals’ personal experiences of peristomal skin complications.
UA response to Part IX Drug Tariff consultation
5 January 2024The UA responds to the consultation from the Dept of Health and Social Care around modernisation of Part IX of the ‘Drug Tariff’
Support our work
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.
Send an e-greetings card
Show your friends, colleagues, and loved ones you care by sending Urostomy Association eCards. At the same time, you’ll be helping people find the strength, support and confidence they need to embrace new lives following urinary diversion surgery.
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.