We know that peer support is a lifeline for ostomates. Connecting through shared experiences helps with healing, confidence, and community. That’s why the Stoma Care team at Pinderfields Hospital is hosting a Patient Wellbeing Day on 26 November 2025.
A message from Pinderfields Stoma Care team
As stoma care nurses at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, we have witnessed firsthand, the power of peer support for ostomates. Living with a stoma can be daunting, especially in the early days. Questions about leakage, pancaking, ballooning, sore skin, and diet dominate the minds of new ostomates. These concerns are deeply personal, affecting confidence, lifestyle, and emotional wellbeing.
That’s why we love to hold our annual Patient Wellbeing Event, creating safe, welcoming spaces where ostomates can connect, share, and learn from one another. When someone hears another person’s story that mirrors their own, or learns a tip that makes daily life easier, it can be life-changing.
Our mission is to provide high quality healthcare services at home, in the community and in our hospitals, to improve the quality of people’s lives. Our vision is to achieve excellent patient experience each and every time. These values guide every peer support meeting we host. Ostomates often feel isolated, especially when learning new terms like colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy, or dealing with convex flanges and closed pouches. Our sessions demystify these terms and offer practical advice from people who’ve lived it.
At our Wellbeing Event, attendees are warmly welcomed with complimentary tea, coffee, and scones as they explore a variety of enriching and supportive resources. These include opportunities to connect with the Stoma Care Nursing Team, engage with Macmillan Cancer Support, and meet local patient support groups.
Informative sessions on hernia prevention strategies and practical guidance on diet and exercise round out the experience, making these gatherings both comforting and informative for all who attend. We’ve received such positive feedback for presentations given by experienced ostomates, and will continue inviting ostomates to share their experience of life after stoma surgery.
One of the highlights is hearing about personal journeys and tips for life following stoma surgery. Feedback from previous events shows how inspiring these stories can be, so we’re committed to continuing this tradition to support and empower everyone who attends.
These events are designed to address the most common concerns of ostomates, from managing skin irritation and bag security to understanding dietary triggers and hernia risks. But more importantly, they offer connection.
We believe peer support is a necessity. It aligns perfectly with our mission to improve lives and our vision of excellent patient experience. Whether you’re newly adjusting to life with a stoma or have years of experience, your story matters. Your presence can often help someone else.
We look forward to seeing you!
Event details
No need to register, just come along! If you’d like more information, visit NHS Mid Yorkshire Teaching Trust
When: Wednesday 26th November 2025
Time: 10am – 3pm
Address:
Normanton Golf Club,
Hatfeild Hall,
Stanley,
Wakefield,
WF3 4JP