The 12 Hour Journey: A wellbeing study for people living with a stoma
22 September 2025
We’re running a UCL research study with Colostomy UK exploring how time outdoors can support wellbeing for people living with a stoma. The 12 Hour Journey isn’t about distance — you choose 4, 6, or 12 hours outdoors, unplugged and at your own pace. By taking part, you’ll help us understand how nature may improve mental health, confidence, and adjustment to life with a stoma — and your involvement could help shape future support for the stoma community.
Requirements
- Adults aged 18 and over
- Living with a stoma (colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy)
- Living in the UK
- Able to take part in a solo outdoor walk or time outside for 4, 6, or 12 hours (your choice)
- No need to be fit or an experienced walker — this is about stepping outside your routine, not a race.
Keywords
Ethical approval
This study with Project ID: 0628 has been approved by the University College London (UCL) Ethics Committee on April 7th 2025.
About the researcher
We are trainee clinical psychologists at University College London (UCL), working in partnership with Colostomy UK. Our passion is supporting mental health and wellbeing, and we’ve co-designed this study with people living with a stoma to make sure it reflects real experiences and priorities. We believe time outdoors and unplugged can be powerful for reflection and resilience, and we’re excited to explore how this could help the stoma community.
