Alder Hey Children’s Charity funded stoma-friendly toilets installed across healthcare campus
Thanks to our incredible supporters, Alder Hey Children’s Charity has fully funded the installation of 11 new stoma-friendly toilets across Alder Hey Children’s Health Campus, investing £9,000 to help improve accessibility, dignity and comfort for children, young people, families and staff.
This important project, delivered in partnership with Alder Hey’s ACE Network (Ability, Culture and Equity Network), reflects our shared commitment to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels supported and respected.
For children and young people living with a stoma, access to appropriate toilet facilities is essential. A stoma is a surgically created opening on the abdomen that allows waste to leave the body, and many people with a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy require specialist facilities to manage their care safely, comfortably and hygienically. Standard toilets often do not provide the space or equipment needed, which can make everyday visits and appointments more challenging.
The new stoma-friendly toilets have been specifically designed to meet these needs, featuring accessible sinks, mirrors, shelves, hooks, disposal facilities and additional space to enable users to manage their care privately and with dignity.
We are incredibly grateful to our donors, whose generosity has made this project possible. Their support has helped create facilities that will make a meaningful difference to the daily lives of countless children, young people and families visiting Alder Hey.
The first of the new facilities was officially opened by 15-year-old Michael, who has a stoma himself. Michael helped highlight just how important accessible and dignified facilities are for children and young people living with a stoma.
Seven of the new toilets are already open and in use, with the remaining four due to be completed soon. Families and visitors will be able to access stoma-friendly facilities across key areas of the Children’s Health Campus, including Outpatients, the Atrium and inpatient wards.
To help users easily identify the facilities, each stoma-friendly toilet will display a Colostomy UK sticker.
Access to suitable facilities can significantly reduce anxiety, improve confidence and enable people living with a stoma to attend appointments, travel, work and participate fully in everyday life. By funding projects like this, our supporters are helping to ensure Alder Hey remains a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone.
"We want every child, young person and family to feel comfortable, respected and able to access our services without any added stress. These new stoma-friendly facilities are a really important step forward, providing the space and privacy needed to manage personal care with dignity, enabling confidence and ease whilst at Alder Hey."
From all of us at Alder Hey Children’s Charity, thank you to every donor who made this project possible. Your generosity is helping us create a more accessible hospital environment where children and families can feel supported, respected and cared for every step of the way.
