Our Not every disability is visible campaign has been shortlisted for the 2018 Charity Awards in the Campaigning and Advocacy category.

The campaign was inspired by our supporters, who told us that a big issue for people living with Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis was access to toilets. Our members reported that they had received verbal abuse for using an accessible toilet because they did not have a visible disability.

We are delighted to be shortlisted! The response the campaign has had is truly wonderful and we know the signage is already tackling stigma and making a big difference to the lives of those living with Crohn’s and Colitis. We are extremely thankful to all our supporters who helped us target supermarkets and travel hubs, and our corporate partner, Takeda for their support on the Travel with IBD phase of the campaign. We are all stronger together. Andy McGuinness

Campaigns Manager, Crohn's & Colitis UK

As a result, we launched our Not every disability is visible supermarket campaign, and began a campaign to lobby supermarkets to change the signs they installed on toilet doors.

After nearly 20,000 emails sent by over 5,500 of our amazing supporters to supermarket CEOs, the signage was installed in over 2,500 supermarkets nationwide in Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.

The UK's supermarkets are supporting their customers and changing mindsets that disabilities are not always visible. This would not have been possible without the huge support of the IBD community and the success of this campaign is testament to the power of your voice. Jo Pearce

Corporate Partnerships Manager, Crohns & Colitis UK

Following this success, we launched the Travel with IBD campaign, using the same tactics to target the UK’s largest airports, train stations and service stations.

More than 2,500 of our supporters sent almost 50,000 emails to the CEOs of the travel hubs, and now 23 of our 27 targets have either already installed or committed to install the signage.

People living with Crohn's and Colitis may not look unwell but are often affected by symptoms that affect all aspects of their lives. We are really impressed by the response of these travel hubs, which will provide additional wellbeing and support to many travellers. Dan McLean

Director of Marketing and Communications, Crohn's & Colitis UK

Our incredible supporters have also pushed for the successful installation of the accessible toilet signage across the country. The campaign has already reached football clubs, shopping centres, GP surgeries, leisure attractions and local councils, and looks set to continue to grow!