Committee - IA Together

Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association, known as IA, is a registered charity supporting people living with an ileostomy or internal pouch, their families, friends and carers.

IA Together Sub Committee

The IA Together Sub Committee are passionate about living life to the full by reaching out and getting together. As a team of volunteers who have all experienced surgery, we understand the challenges facing people who’ve been through or are facing surgery but want to maintain an active lifestyle.

Whatever age you are, you could be someone who is struggling through their final years of education, facing challenges in their chosen career or concerned how their relationship may develop, all in a world obsessed with social media. You could equally be someone who’s had an active life and wants to get out and meet others after work or in retirement.

We meet on a regular basis to discuss the issues facing our members, young and not so young, to develop the support we offer and reach out in new ways. We never want anyone to feel alone or isolated following surgery or who may be struggling with making a life-changing decision.

Through IA Together we look to bring people back together with confidence.

Anna RennieCommittee Member

Brigitte SiefkenCommittee Member

Carol KatteCommittee Member

Caroline BramwellCommittee Member

I want to speak to someone

Anna Rennie

Committee Member

Anna had an ileostomy for 18 years after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. It was made permanent in summer 2013 whilst she was studying for a BA (hons) in Silversmithing and Jewellery. Anna now teaches this part time at Truro College in between designing and making silverware. Outside of work she absolutely loves cycling which helps her mentally and physically, plus she is out in the fresh air.

Anna has been involved with IA for several years now

Brigitte Siefken

Committee Member

Hi, I’m Brigitte, a ‘pouchee’ since 2016. My route to internal pouch surgery was an unusual one. Out of the blue in October 2011, a chance conversation with a gastroenterologist led me down a path no-one expected – not even the doctor! The previous year I’d had rare surgery for severe acid reflux, but that aside I was really fit and healthy, busy with my career and enjoying family life. I had neither UC nor Crohns nor FAP, so being suddenly told I needed colorectal surgery to prevent colon cancer appearing within 2 -20 years was utterly devastating. I had endless questions and few answers. Though presented as a ‘choice’, my only safe option was to agree to surgery to prevent the disease. For me it was pouch-life or risk everything.

Utterly floored, overwhelmed, and needing information, I reached out and found IA. Making that call to national office changed everything. The visitor chats changed my perspective, informing and reassuring me as I faced the long wait for surgery. April 2014 saw me having my first operation – my restorative proctocolectomy and internal pouch creation. The second surgery came in July 2016 when I went from life with a loop ileostomy to living with my J pouch. As for pouch life itself, it has some challenges for me, but I live each day in the knowledge I made the right choice.

Between the two operations I joined my local IA committee, wanting to offer others the kindness and support I had been shown. I am now Chair, Secretary and Visiting Coordinator for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire IA Branch and love being able to support people locally. When in 2019 I was asked to join IA’s internal pouch committee I said yes, hoping that I can bring something different to the team thanks to my rare route to surgery. It really matters to me that no-one is left feeling as isolated and clueless as I was initially. No-one should walk this path alone – not when there are others who can support you and help you find the inner strength you maybe never knew you had. If I can ease the path of just a handful of others, I will have done my job.

Carol Katte

Committee Member

Carol been a Stoma Care Specialist Nurse for almost thirty years. After specialising in surgical nursing, both in the UK and South Africa, Carol was then a district nursing sister, and community liaison sister. From this last post she was ‘led’ into the stoma care world setting up a stoma care nursing service where she worked because there wasn’t one! As you can imagine, there have been many changes and developments over those years: improvements in surgery, innovations in appliances and products, more stoma care specialist nurses, support from charities, the involvement of manufacturers and delivery companies.

Carol became aware of the tremendous organisation of IA early in my stoma journey, and often used its patients’ and professionals’ information leaflets, DVDs (videos originally) and the visiting scheme. Becoming involved with Surrey IA first (invited by Carolyn Stammers to replace her as she moved on) Carol later stepped in to her shoes as stoma nurse liaison when she retired, together with co-liaison nurse, Alison.

Caroline Bramwell

Committee Member

After having surgery in 2006 and choosing to have a permanent ileostomy as a result of ulcerative colitis, Caroline turned to sport to regain her health and fitness. Learning to live with her stoma she found a new freedom and became an advocate for making the most of life.

Having relied upon the support and advice given by IA when she was confronting her own surgery, and being a member of IA since that time, Caroline found a passion for helping others who were living with, or considering, an ileostomy. Having represented IA through her sporting endeavours in recent years, Caroline was delighted to become part of the IA team in 2019. A qualified marketer for 30 years, through the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and an experienced PR & Marketing consultant in her own right, Caroline has brought her skills and ideas to the benefit of the charity.

Caroline now competes in Ironman triathlons and champions IA through her work and her sport.