Barnsley FC join Stoma Friendly Toilets campaign

“I would like to thank the football club for understanding the need for specialist provision for people living with a stoma. Having experienced this with Patrick, I know how difficult it is planning around a suitable place to change the bag. It was so easy to say ‘no’ because life with a stoma is unpredictable. The freedom to carry on with your everyday life without having to explain your predicament is so important.”

– Jean Cryne, Director and Co-owner of Barnsley FC.

Barnsley FC is proud to announce a major step towards making Oakwell a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all supporters. As part of Level Playing Field’s ‘Unite for Access’ weekend, the Club has worked closely with Colostomy UK to upgrade its accessible toilets, ensuring that they are now stoma-friendly.

With an estimated one in 335 people in the UK living with a stoma, finding suitable facilities can often be a significant barrier to attending events. These new adaptations at Oakwell aim to make matchdays easier and more comfortable for fans with stomas, allowing them to enjoy the game without unnecessary worry or inconvenience.

The Club has introduced several key modifications to its accessible toilets. Hooks have been added to doors so that clothing can be hung while changing a stoma bag. Shelf space has been installed to provide a sanitary surface for laying out medical supplies. Disposal bins have been included to allow used stoma bags to be disposed of discreetly and hygienically. Mirrors have also been fitted so that users can see their stoma when changing their bag.

These improvements have been made in several key areas of the stadium, including the Car Seekers Corner Stand, the Norman Rimmington South Stand, the Rapid Response East Stand lower concourse, the Natural Cement Legends Suite and the Barry Murphy North Stand, housing our away supporters on matchdays.

This initiative has been widely welcomed by supporters, with long-time fan Gareth Simms, who has a stoma himself, expressing his pride in his hometown Club for making these vital changes.

“I am extremely proud that my hometown club, Barnsley, have adapted the accessible facilities at Oakwell and made them stoma-friendly. Following my stoma surgery in 2020, I became nervous about attending matches at Oakwell. Having to use facilities that aren’t suitable can be extremely unhygienic and embarrassing. By making a small change of adding a foldable shelf, hook and full-length mirror, the accessible facilities are now more inviting for myself and others who have a stoma. This will make such a difference to the matchday experience of myself and others with a stoma when attending matches at Oakwell.

“I am extremely proud that I have been able to be involved in this process, and I hope it can inspire fans all around the country to approach their local club and encourage them to make the necessary changes.

“I want to thank John Bird at Barnsley Football Club for all his hard work behind the scenes and his support with the changes to the facilities at Oakwell. I would also like to thank Giovanni Cinque at Colostomy UK for allowing me to speak to the club on Colostomy UK’s behalf.” – Gareth Simms, Barnsley FC supporter and stoma user.

Colostomy UK’s Giovanni Cinque also praised the club’s commitment to accessibility.

“It’s brilliant that Barnsley FC have upgraded their accessible toilets so that they are now stoma friendly. A lack of suitable facilities can be a huge barrier to doing many of the things most of us take for granted, like attending a football match, so we hope this announcement will encourage people living with a stoma in Barnsley and beyond to attend a game with added confidence.”

Barnsley FC remains committed to making Oakwell a stadium for everyone, ensuring that all supporters, regardless of their needs, can enjoy the beautiful game in a safe and inclusive environment. The Club hopes this initiative will inspire others in football to take similar steps towards accessibility and inclusivity.