Colostomy UK is a Winner of the 2026 GSK IMPACT Awards!
26 May, 2026
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Colostomy UK has been selected as one of the winners of the GSK IMPACT Awards, 2026.
A partnership between the pharmaceutical company, GSK, and The King’s Fund, this prestigious award is gifted to just ten small charities each year for their outstanding contributions to improving the UK’s health and wellbeing.
The award is a huge honour, not least because of the intensely rigorous assessment process it entails. “IMPACT” is an acronym standing for Innovation, Management, Partnership, Achievement, Community focus, and Targeting need and applicants must evidence how they are excelling in each of these categories.
Hundreds of promising candidates apply each year, and a forensic review of each organisation and its services awaits those which make it through to the final stages of evaluation.
That is why winning this award is so much more than the prize money and development opportunities it offers (as vital as these both are for a charity of our size) – it is a validation of all the hard work, care, and dedication that our volunteers and staff put into their roles 365 days a year. As the judging panel themselves noted:
“Colostomy UK stood out for its powerful lived experience leadership and the scale of its impact – both locally and nationally. The charity’s work is both compassionate and influential, improving everyday life for thousands of people while shaping the future of stoma care in the UK. Its combination of peer-led support, policy leadership and stigma reducing campaigns demonstrates truly exceptional achievement”.
Lisa Weaks, Senior Associate at The King’s Fund
Given the Impact awards’ reputation for excellence, our win also sends a positive signal to other donors that Colostomy UK is a strong, reliable partner which delivers on our promises to the communities we serve.
For instance, the award judges commended Colostomy UK for our bold and creative campaigns that challenge stigma and improve everyday life for people with a stoma. This includes our stoma-friendly toilet campaign, and newly launched Stoma Mythbusters initiative.
Judges were also impressed by our breadth of services, such as our freephone helpline, quarterly magazine, sexual wellbeing project, sports and wellness activities, literature titles, and befriending service.
We were also recognised for our national reach and strong partnerships. These include feeding into UK government initiatives, collaborations with businesses and the aviation industry, and university research projects, all with the aim of improving the lives of ostomates across the country.
As our CEO, Libby Herbert stated:
“Winning this award is a powerful endorsement of why we exist – to make a positive different for anyone impacted by a stoma or stoma surgery.”
Support From Colostomy UK
We offer a wide range of support for people living with a colostomy, including our free Stoma Helpline, live chat support, and opportunities to connect with others through local and online groups. We also provide trusted information and resources to offer practical advice, reassurance, and the confidence to live well with a stoma: colostomyuk.org/support
