Ia

What Ia does

IA (Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association) is a UK registered charity (company number 10375943, charity numbers 1172338 in England and Wales and SC048658 in Scotland) founded in 1956 by Professor Bryan Brooke to provide information, peer support, and resources for people living with an ileostomy or internal pouch. Headquartered in Rochford, Essex, IA operates a network of local support groups across the UK and Ireland and serves ostomates, their families/carers, and healthcare professionals involved in stoma care.

The charity's service portfolio includes the One2One Support volunteer programme (trained peer volunteers with at least 18 months of lived experience), the Support Through Therapy mental health programme (funded sessions with qualified psychotherapists), the Specialist Core Rehabilitation Programme (funded online clinical Pilates classes via partner Sarah Russell / The Ostomy Studio), a quarterly IA Journal, an online community forum, downloadable literature, the Let's Talk service, and annual regional Information Days. IA does not sell medical products; stoma bags are accessed via NHS prescription in the UK. The organization's technology footprint consists of a WordPress-based website, forum, social media channels, YouTube-recorded presentations, and standard communications tooling — there are no proprietary software products, AI features, or commercial APIs.

IA generates revenue exclusively through voluntary donations, fundraising campaigns (including the #70for70 challenge tied to its platinum anniversary in April 2026), Gift Aid, and modest research grants disbursed to academic partners. It is governed by a Board of Trustees and operated with a small employed staff supplemented by an extensive volunteer base. Strategic priorities are articulated through its 2022–2025 Strategic Plan, and the charity funds research collaborations with the University of East Anglia, University of Leeds, Ulster University, University of Greenwich, St. Mark's Hospital, and the International Hernia Research Network, alongside partnerships with ASCN, Coloplast, and NHS Trusts.

Name

Ia

Legal name

Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association

Website

https://iasupport.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Short description

IA is a UK registered charity founded in 1956 that provides peer support, mental health services, rehabilitation programmes, and information resources for people living with an ileostomy or internal pouch, their families, and healthcare professionals across the UK and Ireland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Patient Support Charity

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Ostomy patient support
• Ileostomy charity services
• Peer support groups
• Stoma care resources
• Patient advocacy charity

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: IA generates revenue through voluntary donations, fundraising activities, and campaigns such as the #70for70 challenge. Members and supporters can donate through the website and various fundraising initiatives.

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

IA is a UK registered charity that delivers free peer support, information, and resources to people living with an ileostomy or internal pouch, and their families. Core offerings include the One2One Support volunteer matching service, funded psychotherapy sessions through the Support Through Therapy programme, a quarterly journal, an online community forum, the Let's Talk mental health service, free online core rehabilitation classes, downloadable literature, a network of local volunteer-led groups across the UK and Ireland, and annual Information Days featuring healthcare professional presentations.

Product overview

IA (Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association) is a registered charity founded in 1956 that provides a suite of support services for people living with an ileostomy or internal pouch. The organization operates as a unified support platform rather than a commercial product company. Core services include the One2One Support Volunteer Programme connecting members with trained peers, the Support Through Therapy mental health programme offering funded psychotherapy sessions, the quarterly IA Journal with medical articles and stories, an online community forum, the Let's Talk mental health service, the Specialist Core Rehabilitation Programme with online Pilates classes, downloadable literature and resources, a network of local groups across the UK and Ireland, and annual Information Days featuring expert presentations and workshops.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IA Support: Primary support services and information resource for people with ileostomy or internal pouch
• IA Pouch
• IA One2One Support
• Support Through Therapy
• Specialist Core Rehabilitation Programme
• Neil Smart Memorial Research Award

Products and services

• One2One Support Volunteer Programme Peer support service that matches individuals facing ileostomy or internal pouch surgery with trained volunteers who have themselves lived with a stoma or pouch for at least 18 months, providing emotional support and practical guidance based on personal experience.
• Support Through Therapy Funded therapy programme providing access to qualified psychotherapists for members experiencing anxiety, depression, or emotional distress related to their stoma or pouch surgery, with up to 3 sessions funded pre-surgery and up to 6 sessions funded post-surgery.
• IA Quarterly Journal Quarterly publication containing member stories, medical articles, product information, and resources to keep members informed about living with an ileostomy or internal pouch.
• Online Forum Online community platform enabling members to connect with each other, share experiences, and provide mutual support around living with an ileostomy or internal pouch.
• Let's Talk Service Mental health support service for people struggling with their stoma or internal pouch, or facing upcoming surgery, connecting them with trained volunteers who can offer support based on lived experience.
• Specialist Core Rehabilitation Programme Free online physiotherapy-led clinical Pilates core rehabilitation classes for IA members with an ileostomy, internal pouch, or parastomal hernia, delivered with clinical exercise specialist Sarah Russell; IA funds up to 8 members per month to participate.
• Local Groups Network Network of volunteer-led local IA groups across the UK and Ireland providing in-person meetings and community connection for members affected by ileostomy or internal pouch surgery.
• Literature and Resources Free downloadable and orderable educational leaflets and resources covering ileostomy, internal pouch, diet, exercise, travel, hydration, and body image, available to members and healthcare professionals.
• Information Days and Events Annual in-person information days featuring presentations from healthcare professionals, workshops, and opportunities for members to learn about stoma and pouch care and connect with peers; includes the Scottish Information Day and Pouch Information Day.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free core rehabilitation classes funded for up to 8 members monthly through partnership with clinical exercise specialist Sarah Russell
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sarah Russell (Clinical Exercise Specialist / The Ostomy Studio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with clinical exercise specialist Sarah Russell to provide free online core rehabilitation classes for IA members with ileostomy or internal pouch. IA funds up to 8 members monthly to participate in classes focusing on building core strength, suitable for those with parastomal hernia. Classes based on physiotherapy-led clinical Pilates principles.
• Carrie Helman (Psychotherapist)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership with Carrie Helman, a General & Ostomy Psychotherapist who is herself an ostomate, to deliver the Support Through Therapy programme. Provides funded therapy sessions for members pre- and post-surgery struggling with mental health related to their stoma or pouch.
• Aileen Macarthur (Psychotherapist)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership with Aileen Macarthur, a humanistic counsellor whose late mother was an ostomate, to deliver the Support Through Therapy programme. Provides funded therapy sessions with deep empathy and understanding of ostomate experiences.
• University of East AngliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIA sponsors study opportunities for nurses wanting to develop their stoma care career through the Advanced Stoma Care module at University of East Anglia, subject to qualification.
• Association of Stoma Care Nurses UK (ASCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ASCN for initiatives such as the Stoma Care Self Help Guide. ASCN supported IA in sharing resources during lockdown to help patients assess stoma issues when access to stoma care nurses was limited.
• Coloplast UK and IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIA participates in the Advancing Stoma Care Services: Evidence-based Proposals for a Best Practice Pathway (ASCS) working group alongside Coloplast, specialist nurses, surgeons, and healthcare consultants. Goal is to ensure consistent high-quality care for all stoma patients in England.
• St. Mark's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with St. Mark's Hospital on the Sex-PROM Phase 3 Recruitment Study, developing a patient reported outcome measure for sexual dysfunction following benign pelvic colorectal surgery.
• NHScoreOthersIA works with NHS services including guidance on Covid-19 for stoma patients, and NHS services provide referrals to IA for peer support. Stoma bags are available on NHS prescription in England.
• University of LeedsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with William Goodman at University of Leeds for the study 'Understanding day-to-day well-being and self-management practices in people with a stoma' using mobile app-based real-time data collection.
• Ulster UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with Prof James Davis at Ulster University for Stomasense project - developing a sensing system to detect early onset of stoma pouch leakage with vibration alerts.
• University of GreenwichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with Professor Lesley Dibley and Dr Ryan Essex for PRESTO study - developing a new patient reported outcome measure (PROM) to assess psychosocial response to stoma in people with IBD.
• International Hernia Research NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIA funding (£55,975) for the PROPHER study - a prospective international cohort study on patient reported outcomes after parastomal hernia treatment, led by Professor Thomas Pinkney.
• NHS Trusts (various)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIA funding (£14,554) for the PAPooSE Study on pregnancy outcomes in patients with ileostomies, conducted through NHS Trusts with Miss Sue Blackwell and Miss Nicola Fearnhead.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Colostomy UK: UK charity providing support, information, and advocacy for people with a colostomy — directly comparable to IA in mission, peer-support model, and UK geography.
• Bladder & Bowel UK: UK charity providing information and support for people with bladder and bowel conditions, including stoma care — directly comparable information and advisory service to IA.
• Maggie's Centres: UK charity providing in-person emotional and psychological support for people affected by cancer — comparable centre- and group-based emotional support delivery model.
• United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA): US national ostomy support organization offering peer support groups, education, and advocacy — the closest international counterpart to IA in mission and structure.

Others

• Stoma Care Nurses (ASCN UK): UK professional association for stoma care nurses and a direct partner of IA; an adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a competitor — useful as a channel and clinical-content reference point.

Broad incumbents

• Scope (disability charity): UK disability charity with a broader mission of equality for disabled people — comparable in scale, multi-channel delivery, and disability-focused nonprofit structure.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: Large UK cancer charity providing peer support, information, and clinical information services — comparable in peer-support model, healthcare professional integration, and multi-channel education delivery.

Emerging players

• Mind (UK mental health charity): UK mental health charity — comparable in delivering peer-led and information-based mental health support, relevant to IA's Support Through Therapy and Let's Talk programmes.
• Bowel Cancer UK: UK charity focused on bowel cancer — many bowel cancer patients receive ileostomies, creating significant overlap in patient community, clinical partnerships, and research funding.
• Crohn's & Colitis UK: UK charity supporting people with inflammatory bowel disease, many of whom undergo ileostomy or pouch surgery — overlapping patient population and research funding activity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iasupport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@IASupport
• Facebookfacebook.com/iasupport
• Instagraminstagram.com/ia.support

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ia