With an extensive and varied career in Healthcare, Adrian Facett heads up the community as Chairman, having previously held the position of Chief Executive of BMI Healthcare and served as a Non-Executive Director on the…
Bladder & Bowel
About Us
Welcome to the Bladder & Bowel Community. Our aim is to break the taboo of living with a bladder or bowel dysfunction, diversion or condition, raise awareness and most importantly, help people.
This community exists for the benefit of all who need it, whether you’re looking for information about a particular condition, the treatment options available or simply want to chat with others who have shared a similar experience to you.
What We Do
We support the millions of people in the UK who are living with conditions that affect their bladder or bowel. Whether you have a condition yourself or are caring for a friend or family member, it is our mission to provide the information, support and wider services you need.
Provider of the Original Just Can’t Wait toilet card, we also run a managed support group for anyone wishing to connect with others in a similar situation. Many people have found our information and support network to be a lifeline; vital in helping them achieve their healthcare needs and wider goals or aspirations.
Originally formed in 1989, Bladder & Bowel Community incorporates the objectives and missions of NAIO and the Continence Foundation, which were the basis of its formation. Find out more about our History.
With an estimated 14 million people in the UK suffering from bladder and bowel conditions and 6.5 million with a bowel control problem that has a negative impact on life, our work is vital if we are to change the way in which patients are helped and supported.
Our Vision and Aims
Our vision is to inspire change and create opportunities to enable people with bladder and bowel control problems to have a voice and equal choice.
WE AIM TO:
- Raise awareness of bladder and bowel control problems amongst the
general public and healthcare professionals. - Give access to information and support regarding the treatments,
products and services for people with these conditions - Empower people to champion their own healthcare needs.
We believe in listening to the needs of people affected by bladder and bowel conditions and making a real difference to their lives by providing advice, support and dedicated services.
Meet Our Team
The Bladder & Bowel Community is run by a small and passionate team of people, whose sole purpose is to support people in the UK living with bladder and/or bowel conditions however possible, and help them access services to make their lives better.
Jo Umbers
Managing Director
Jo has a corporate background leading teams, and evaluating consumer data for investors and companies. She became interested in the bladder and bowel forum during the time her father was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer and the family…
Gemma Savory
Community Marketing Manager
Gemma has 15 years of marketing experience and 6 years at Bladder and Bowel. Gemma looks after our social communities. Critically ,she ensures we hear the voices of the people we serve…
Penny Burridge
Community Support Manager
Penny is at the core of our support function for our Community. She leads the closed Facebook Group of over 20,000 members, manages our busy email support function and our outreach support programmes…
Julie Fletcher
Finance and Operations
Julie ensures our finances are balanced and our operations are cost effective and nimble to ensure we can push our services as far as possible. She oversees our biggest service offering, the Just Can’t Wait Toilet…
Kirstie Jones ACIM CMktr
Head of Communications
Kirstie heads up our marketing and communications to manage our online presence and ensure our community’s needs are met via the marketing function. She is passionate about healthy living…
Bladder & Bowel Community
Our History
On January 11th, 1989, a small gathering of like-minded individuals met at St Pancras Hospital, London. This group comprised eight healthcare professionals, six people with continence problems, two informal carers and one representative…
Find Out More >