B&Q Completes Nationwide Rollout of Stoma-Friendly Toilets in Partnership with Colostomy UK
By Charities Correspondent
B&Q has confirmed it has introduced stoma-friendly toilets across its stores nationwide, enhancing facilities to better support people living with a stoma.
The improved toilets include thoughtful features such as hooks for clothing or bags, a shelf or flat surface for medical equipment, a disposal bin within the cubicle, and a mirror to allow users to clearly see their stoma and bag during changes.
The initiative supports the broader campaigning efforts of Colostomy UK to improve toilet accessibility in retail and other public environments.
The charity’s specialist knowledge and lived experience have helped inform both the design and delivery of the upgraded facilities.
With more than 200,000 people in the UK estimated to be living with a stoma, B&Q says it understands the importance of offering accessible and dignified amenities for customers and staff alike.
As part of its work with Colostomy UK, the retailer will also introduce Stoma Aware training for customer-facing colleagues, helping them better understand stomas and provide appropriate support to those who require accessible facilities.
The newly upgraded toilets will be added to Colostomy UK’s stoma-friendly facilities map, enabling people to plan trips with greater confidence by identifying suitable amenities in advance.
By working closely with the charity and listening to those with lived experience, B&Q aims to tackle hidden barriers that can make everyday outings challenging, while also raising awareness and understanding of stomas more broadly.
Kingsley Mack, Director of Property at B&Q said: “Shopping should never be stressful because you are worrying about where you can safely manage your stoma. By adding stoma-friendly features to our toilets, we want every customer and colleague to feel welcome, respected and confident in our stores. These changes are a simple, practical way to support dignity, ease anxiety and show our ongoing commitment to making B&Q truly accessible for everyone.”
Giovanni Cinque, Marketing & Campaigns Manager, at Colostomy UK said: “People living with a stoma often tell us that a lack of suitable toilets is one of the biggest barriers they face when going out, leading to isolation, cancelled plans and a reduced quality of life. B&Q’s decision to adopt stoma-friendly toilets sends a powerful message that hidden conditions must be recognised and accommodated.”
Colostomy UK’s stoma-friendly accessible toilets map is available at www.colostomyuk.org.
