Ruth’s Story – Bringing Stoma Awareness to Coventry’s High Streets

When you live with a stoma, finding a toilet you can trust isn’t always easy. For many people, that can mean avoiding certain places or feeling anxious about being out in public for too long.

That’s why Ruth Beaney, a campaigner with Colostomy UK and a member of Coventry’s Need The Loo core team, is taking action right here in her hometown. As part of a national push for stoma-friendly, inclusive toilets, Ruth has brought the movement hyper-local by turning conversations into real change on Coventry’s high streets.

Why Ruth got involved

Ruth describes the day-to-day challenges stoma users face:

“I’ve felt disappointment, embarrassment, and misrepresentation. When toilets aren’t accessible, it feels like we haven’t been thought about, like we’re not important.”

These experiences motivated her to join Colostomy UK’s national campaign and then bring that energy back to Coventry through the Need The Loo Campaign Team. Ruth says the biggest shift came when she started having local conversations:

“I’ve already seen the benefit of talking about this around Coventry because changes are being made.”

Living with a stoma means needing space, privacy and the right equipment. Something as small as a hook, a shelf or an unlocked accessible toilet can be the difference between feeling confident or feeling unsafe and excluded.

The Loo Crawl — taking action on Earlsdon High Street

To turn these conversations into change, Ruth teamed up with Connecting For Good's Community Organiser, Melissa, for the first Need The Loo Loo Crawl in Earlsdon. Together, they visited shops, cafés and pubs to raise awareness about simple improvements: adding a bin, installing hooks, clearing shelves, or reviewing signage.

Ruth was struck by the response:

“The response was brilliant. Business owners really listened, understood and wanted to make a difference. Almost everyone we spoke to had an issue that needed something different from an accessible toilet and they personally knew someone who this affects.”

This echoes what the Need The Loo found in the "Men and Public Toilet" citywide listening campaign: 52.4% of men told us that having a sanitary bin in men’s toilets would improve their experience, yet many Coventry venues still don’t provide one.

For men managing incontinence, catheter use, prostate conditions, or stoma care, this seemingly small oversight causes embarrassment, health risks and social isolation. The Loo Crawl helped local businesses understand this clearly and commit to doing better.

Connecting National Support with Local Change

Ruth’s work in Coventry is part of a wider movement. Colostomy UK’s Stoma-Friendly Toilet Scheme provides guidance and support to businesses, helping them make their facilities safer and more inclusive. By linking this national campaign with Coventry’s grassroots effort, we’re showing what practical change can look like on the ground.

Giovanni from Colostomy UK explained:

“We’re thrilled to be part of the Need The Loo campaign. Everyone deserves confidence and independence when they’re out and about. By working together, we can make Coventry’s toilets safer, more welcoming, and accessible for all.”

This partnership is proof that national initiatives and local community action can work hand in hand turning ideas into real, everyday improvements that people can use and rely on.

Beyond the Loo Crawl Ruth took the message to World Toilet Day

Ruth didn’t stop at Earlsdon. She also spoke at the Need The Loo World Toilet Day Gathering, where campaigners, residents and organisations, including Coventry City Council, Age UK Coventry & Warwickshire, and Colostomy UK came together to celebrate progress and call for more action.

Her story grounded the entire room. It reminded everyone why this work matters.

Ruth closed the session with a powerful reflection:

“We need to keep the conversations going and we need more people involved.”

Want to be part of what comes next?

The Need The Loo team are building momentum. Whether you’re a resident, business owner or an organisation wanting to help, there is a place for you in this work.

👉 Join the Coventry & Warwickshire Loo Alliance

👉 Take part in future Loo Crawls

👉 Help us map, campaign and raise awareness

👉 Share your lived experience

Email Melissa: mvsmith@grapevinecovandwarks.org

Because everyone deserves a toilet they can trust and change starts with all of us.

With Thanks...

The following Earlsdon businesses have started promising conversations with Ruth & Melissa

• Millsey's Cafe & Bar

• The Royal Oak

• Street

• Bosphorus

• Beer Gonzo