New Self-help Group for Ostomates

Despite Basingstoke hospital having an excellent reputation for gastroenterological surgery, Basingstoke itself has no support group for Ostomates. This means that many patients being discharged from Basingstoke Hospital having had a life-saving operation to give them a stoma due to cancer and other issues or (as in my case) just simple emergency surgery for a blood clot, receive little help or support.

This means that many of those, who do not enjoy a support network of family and friends retreat into a life of isolation and seclusion. Withdrawing from society and all activities that we all take for granted and are basic part of human life.

To try and redress this balance, I am attempting to set-up a self-help, face to face support group for Ostomates living within or around Basingstoke.

This group is open to those with any type of stoma (Ileostomy, Colostomy & Urostomy) their partners and those who may be scheduled for such surgery in their future.

We aim to be totally inclusive, providing a safe and relaxed environment that will allow open and honest discussion, exchange of tips, hints and personal experiences between fellow Ostomates, both recent and experienced.

At the moment, we have no funding for this group and I am currently paying all its start-up expenses myself, until such time as funding can be obtained.

For that to happen, I need to demonstrate that there is a need for such a group and with over 80 Ostomates in the area (according to Colostomy UK) I believe that there is.

Are you an Ostomate? Do you know someone who lives with an Ostomy pouch? Basingstoke now has its own Ostomates Support group. Meeting every third Thursday of the month between 16:00 and 18:30 at the Apollo Hotel, Aldermaston Road, Basingstoke. Anyone living with a Stoma, their partners/friends and those who may be facing such surgery in the future for reasons such as Bowel Cancer, Colitis Crohn’s, blood clots or other traumas are welcome. We offer free refreshments, regular presentations on related subjects, a raffle and even an occasional short (but very gentle) exercise session.