Crohn's and Colitis Awareness week 1st -7th December

Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week: 1–7 December

Supporting People Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week, held annually from 1 to 7 December, is an important opportunity to shine a light on the realities of living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — two long-term inflammatory conditions of the digestive system that together affect over half a million people across the UK.

These illnesses can be unpredictable, fluctuating, and often invisible. Many individuals experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, and unintentional weight changes. But beyond the physical challenges, Crohn’s and Colitis can have a major impact on education, employment, relationships, mental health, and a person’s ability to confidently leave their home.

This year’s theme, “How It Feels,” focuses on the emotional and social impact of living with such an unpredictable condition. It is a reminder that behind every diagnosis is a person navigating daily uncertainty and that greater understanding, awareness, and support can make an enormous difference.

Our Ongoing Support for Crohn’s & Colitis UK

At the Loo of the Year Awards, we are proud to support Crohn’s & Colitis UK as our chosen charity for the second year running. Their work providing guidance, community support, research funding, and advocacy is invaluable to people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their families.

By aligning our platform with their mission, we aim to help raise awareness of the challenges faced by those with Crohn’s and Colitis, particularly when it comes to accessing safe, clean and appropriate washroom facilities away from home.

Why High-Quality Away-From-Home Washrooms Matter

For someone living with IBD, access to a toilet isn’t a convenience, it is a necessity. The fear of not being able to find a clean, usable toilet in time can prevent individuals from working, socialising, attending events, or even leaving the house.

That is why accessible, well-maintained, and reliably open public washrooms are absolutely essential.

Through our nationwide inspection programme, the Loo of the Year Awards:

• highlight organisations that provide high-standard, inclusive facilities
• encourage better design and greater investment in away-from-home washrooms
• raise awareness of the needs of people with long-term health conditions
• help ensure that toilets are not just functional, but genuinely supportive of users’ dignity and wellbeing

By promoting excellence in washroom provision, we help create environments where people with Crohn’s, Colitis, and other hidden conditions feel more confident and able to participate fully in daily life.

Standing Together for Better Awareness and Better Provision

Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week is a chance to build understanding, challenge stigma, and highlight the importance of accessible facilities for those living with IBD.

We are proud to continue supporting Crohn’s & Colitis UK and to use the Loo of the Year Awards platform to push for better washrooms; because everyone deserves access to safe, clean facilities wherever they go.

A high-quality toilet can make the difference between staying home or stepping out into the world. And for those living with Crohn’s and Colitis, that difference is life-changing.