Jenna Robinson has been put forward for the Positive Role Model Award
Jenna Robinson of Beverley has been nominated for a National Diversity Award in the Positive Role Model category(Image: Jenna Robinson)
A Beverley mum campaigning for more understanding for people with hidden disabilities has been nominated for a national award. Jenna Robinson, 38, said she was thrilled but had “no idea at all” how she came to be put forward for a National Diversity Award, in the Positive Role Model category.
Jenna, who is mum to two daughters and a son, has what is known as a loop ileostomy – a stoma bag is worn over an opening in her abdomen to collect faecal waste – following years of physical and mental health challenges brought on by the condition, slow transit constipation. She also lives with functional neurological disorder (FND), which can affect her speech and mobility.
The mum, an ambassador for Coloplast, a company that provides stoma, continence and bowel products, is currently petitioning for better signage on all public toilet doors to say that not all disabilities are visible, and for better facilities in disabled toilets for people with stomas. Jenna has been regularly challenged for using a disabled toilet in places such as cafés and supermarkets – and at one venue resorted to “pulling my trousers down” to show her stoma bag as proof of her need for the disabled toilet key.
Jenna said: “When I got the email about the award nomination, I thought it was a scam at first.” Having seen some of the other nominees she is up against, Jenna said: “I feel like a tiny fish in the ocean.
“I think it’s amazing and I don’t know what will happen, but if I did get up there on stage, it would literally be ‘this is for all of us’.” In her nomination profile, Jenna said: “I’m really hoping that my campaigning with Colostomy UK can make this better and also get more people registered to their amazing toilet finder on their website.
“Remember, all disabilities come in all shapes and sizes. I’m proud to say I have already helped so many people on my Instagram page with keeping my journey real and relatable.
“Anyone should be able to use a disabled toilet without the abuse or even being refused a Radar key because the shop thinks you ‘look ok’.” The 2026 National Diversity Awards will take place at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral on Friday, September 18.
The UK’s most prestigious diversity event celebrates the excellent achievements of grass-root communities that tackle the issues in today’s society, providing them with recognition for their dedication and hard work. Jenna said she was “still getting a lot of stick” about her own disability.
She attended an event recently and found lots of people queuing at the interval for the toilets. “I should have emptied my [stoma] bag before but I forgot,” she said.
“This lady was just awful, she said I was trying to compete with her disability. I did get really upset.”
Jenna said she tried to put incidents like it behind her, but it was “always at the back of your mind”. She is excited, however, to have launched her own support group – the Beverley Stoma Support Group – and is finalising the first date for a meeting.
“It will be held at Lazaat at Cottingham – they are kindly giving me a meeting room for free – and probably on a Monday or Tuesday late morning or lunchtime. I’ve already got about 70 people interested on my Facebook page.
“It’s amazing to know there are so many people behind it who have been affected by bowel cancer or have a stoma bag. It’s about getting people involved and to let them know there is someone to talk to.
“For people to have said, ‘oh my god, I’ve been waiting for someone like you’, feels very special, it’s giving people hope. And if we can get to 10,000 signatures on the petition, we can get it talked about in Government.”
Find out more via Jenna’s Instagram page @Jenna_and_louispooton
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