Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium the latest to introduce Stoma Friendly toilets

21 March, 2024

Sheffield Wednesday might be one of the oldest football clubs in the world and one of the five oldest professional association football clubs in England, but they are also one of the newest to become Stoma Friendly.

Thanks to support from Colostomy UK and Level Playing Field all eleven accessible toilets at Hillsborough will provide a safe, clean space, with clear signage, as well as supporting those with additional needs.

It is estimated that one in 335 people in the UK have a stoma. Accessible toilets often lack the facilities to make stoma bag changing safe and easy, thus acting as a form of social exclusion.

The Stoma friendly facilities will feature:

Hook on door – To hang clothing, handbags and luggage while changing stoma bags. This provides more space in the cubicle.

Shelf space – To enable ostomates to spread out their items easily and avoid having to use unsanitary surfaces.

Mirror – To enable users to see their stoma while changing their appliances.

Disposal bin in every cubicle – To avoid embarrassment for men and women having to dispose of their stoma bag in public view.

Accessible #stomafriendly toilet signage – To highlight the right of ostomates to use the toilet. Reduces risk of hostility for ostomates when using an accessible toilet.

Giovanni Cinque Marketing & Campaigns Manager at Colostomy UK commented on the news.

“It’s brilliant to see one of the oldest football clubs in the world becoming stoma friendly, joining clubs like Wrexham, MK Dons, Tranmere Rovers, and Harrogate FC. A lack of suitable toilet 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 Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and beyond to attend a game at Hillsborough”.

Fiona Shelton, Disability Access Officer for Sheffield Wednesday said. “I am proud that Sheffield Wednesday can provide Stoma Friendly toilets for both home and away fans. No one should have to ask for directions to the nearest accessible toilet or avoid going to a match because there are no suitable facilities close to their seat.”

For more on Colostomy UK’s campaigns visit https://www.colostomyuk.org/campaigns/

Visit the official Sheffield Wednesday website https://www.swfc.co.uk/