Crohn's & Colitis Support Lancashire

24/03/2026

✨ Join us tomorrow evening! ✨

We’ll be hearing from our founder Victoria, as she shares her IBD and stoma journey, opening up about the challenges, strength and experiences that have shaped her path 💜

This is a free event and is open to anyone living with IBD and or a stoma 💜

🌸7.15-8.30pm
📍The Annexe
Euxton Community Centre

See you there 💜

20/03/2026

Proud Preston Active Inspiration Award Winner 2026 🏆

Celebrating 9 years of dedication to Crohn’s & Colitis Support Lancashire through:

Educational workshops
Monthly support meetings
IBD walk & talks
Spa retreats
Nutritional talks
Online support
Mental health workshops
Peer support in hospitals and in the home
Ambassador role for Dansac

Inspiring others ✨

All whilst running a business, being a mum and battling with my own health 💪

Huge thank you to Kelly McBee for the nomination and being thee best trustee/exec/PA/wing woman 😉💜

19/03/2026

📍25th March - Victoria Danson’s Sh*tshow

Our founder, Victoria, will be sharing her IBD and stoma journey at our next meeting 💬

Come along to hear how she turned pain into power by removing the things that no longer served her, from foods to people, embracing movement and ultimately creating this very support group 💜

It’s also a great opportunity for anyone who’s been thinking about coming along to see what we’re all about and what our meetings entail.

A story of resilience, growth and taking control.

We’d love to see you there ✨

Video credit -

07/03/2026

Great day at the International Women’s Day Anatomy, Health & Wellness Fair at the University of Lancashire 🌸

Loved networking with students and the wider community, raising awareness about IBD, my story, educating on stomas, our support group and exploring the digestive system 💬🩺

A huge thank you to Jo for volunteering her time to support the event 💜

Jo has been at my hospital bedside and beside me on the dance floor, get you a bestie that can do both ☺️

05/03/2026

Although I can guarantee I don’t have leaks with Dansac convex 🧡

I don’t wake up and check my phone.

I wake up and check if my stomach has betrayed me.

Living with Crohn’s disease means my first thought isn’t coffee — it’s containment. Before my feet touch the floor, my hand presses against my abdomen. Is the seal still tight? Is the pouch too full? Did it leak while I slept?

You see one version of me.
I live both.

I can sleep all night and still wake up exhausted. Not tired — exhausted. The kind that makes brushing my hair feel like a workout. The kind that turns getting dressed into strategy. High-waisted jeans for security. Flowing tops for forgiveness. I don’t just pick outfits. I calculate risk.

On one side, I look fine.
On the other, there’s an ostomy bag and sometimes an NG tube — the parts most people never imagine.

There are scars across my stomach now. Raised. Pale. Permanent. Some days I see survival. Other days I see everything I lost.

“But you don’t look sick.”

That’s because you can’t see the symptoms I manage every single day.

Food isn’t simple anymore. It’s negotiation. Will this cause cramping? Will it trigger output I can’t control? Will I regret this in an hour?

The sound of the pouch in a silent room.
The sudden warmth that makes my heart drop.
The mental map of every bathroom wherever I go.

I carry supplies in my handbag next to lipstick. Emergency kit beside mascara. Feminine and medical in the same breath. Same girl. Two realities.

Crohn’s took my spontaneity. It took easy energy. It took the illusion that my body would always cooperate.

But it gave me something too — a strength I didn’t know I had.

Some days I am angry.
Some days I am grateful.
Most days I am both.

This is what invisible illness looks like.
Put together on the outside. Fighting on the inside.

And every morning, before the world sees me —
I check the seal,
take a breath,
and begin again.

05/03/2026

This Saturday we are supporting this event at the University of Lancashire

Our stand will have information about the bowel, surgery, crohn's and colitis, as well as information about the support we offer.

A couple of our trustees are out of action for health reasons so if anyone can pop down to say hello or help (even for a short time), we'd be most grateful 🙏

04/03/2026

Proud finalist ✨

Looking forward to attending the Proud Preston awards evening on the 19th March with my wing woman Kelly, who nominated me for the Active Inspiration Award 💜

03/03/2026

Honoured to have spoken at the NHS Physician Associate Teaching Day last week 🎤

It was a privilege to share knowledge, be part of a programme dedicated to learning, share my IBD and stoma journey and improve patient care through sharing my own experiences.

Grateful for this opportunity🩺✨

02/03/2026

I’m so pleased to share that Victoria has been shortlisted for a Proud Preston Award.

We nominated her because of the powerful way she consistently shows up for others and gives her time and energy to our community. Many of you will know that she has done this for the past nine years, despite multiple surgeries, working full time, and a cancer diagnosis.

Behind the scenes, we see the commitment that makes a real difference. In her own time, Victoria has organised wellbeing days, health and holistic events, walks, talks and activities, as well as hosting monthly meetings to help people living with Crohn’s, Colitis or a stoma feel more informed, supported and less isolated.

Congratulations, Victoria, being a finalist is a win in itself! Good luck to everyone.

Kelly 💜

Well, what a response that was! More than 100 people and organisations were nominated in the first ever Proud Preston Awards.

The official finalists list is out this morning and well done to every person who is on it.

Reading through there's people doing selfless, humbling, uplifting and brilliant things across our city.

It will make your Monday having a browse. Well done again to them all and we can't wait to celebrate you all on Thursday 19 March when the winners are announced. 💙👏

01/03/2026

Another fab IBD support meeting this week with some new faces joining us 💜

Our next meeting is the 25th March 7.15-8.30pm where Victoria will be sharing her IBD and stoma story and how she turned pain into power by founding our Lancashire community support network, in the Annexe at Euxton Community Centre.

This will be a great opportunity to come along and meet others living with IBD 💜

11/02/2026

Living with Crohn’s or Colitis isn’t a straight line. It’s facing an unpredictable illness that never seems to stop.