“I was appointed as Chair of the Young Adults Advisory Panel by the Board of Trustees in 2025. Prior to this, I had been Vice Chair on the first YAAP panel which was established in 2023.

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2014, when I was aged 17. This means that I have had to navigate the various milestones and challenges that come with being a young adult, whilst trying to cope with the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis. Over the years I have been a huge advocate for reducing the stigma of Crohn's & Colitis and I am extremely passionate about improving the support for other young adults with IBD.

Outside of the panel I work in the NHS as a Psychologist and have completed a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology, so I am a huge advocate for improving psychological wellbeing in individuals living with chronic health conditions." 

A close family member of mine was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2019 after many months of symptoms so I have seen first-hand the challenges faced by those impacted by Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Ever since the diagnosis I have gone out of my way to educate myself about Crohn’s and Colitis. The Crohn’s and Colitis UK website became a staple in my journey of learning about IBD and gave me the platform to raise awareness and educate others. I continuously advocate in my personal and professional life that not all disabilities are visible and feel incredibly honoured to have the opportunity to sit on the YAAP at Crohn’s and Colitis UK. I look forward to continuing to support the Board on issues where a Young Adult’s voice is required.

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2019. I didn’t know anyone else with this disease but was lucky to have such an incredible medical team. 

I am now an advisor to the Young Adults Advisory Panel, and really enjoy both meeting other young people in a similar situation but also being a voice for others. 

Outside of this role I am a Town Planner, focusing on residential development and the housing crisis the UK faces. Home is Cardiff for me, but frequently travel the UK with work. At other times I enjoy travelling across the world and adapting to my new life with this disease.

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and other associated conditions in 2015. I currently work in the pharmaceutical industry and joined Young Adults Advisory Panel with the hope of using my knowledge and experience to help young adults that are experiencing similar challenges to those that I faced myself.

Being diagnosed with IBD whilst studying highlighted to me the importance of having access to the correct support and resources which ultimately led to me wanting to get involved with Crohns and Colitis UK. My interests include sports, music and travelling.

I’m Nell, a professional chef. My life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at 13 years old. Over the past 13 years, I've dedicated myself to understanding my body and reclaiming control over my life. For me food and patience have been the keys to empowerment. 

Navigating this journey has been isolating and frustrating, as I didn’t know anyone else going through the same thing. This is the reason I joined the Young Adults Advisory Panel, I want to support young people facing the struggles of Crohn's and Colitis and ensure that no one feels alone in their journey. Through my own experiences, I’m determined to create a community where understanding and support flourish.

I became unwell on New Year’s Day of 2022. After seven long months of investigations, procedures, and hospital stays, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in July 2022. It is a privilege to be a member of the Young Adults’s Advisory Panel for Crohn’s & Colitis UK!

Outside of this role, I am a music student at the University of Cambridge, where I enjoy being a Choral Scholar at St. John’s College. I am interested in the way that Crohn’s disease can exacerbate issues such as performance anxiety, and I am keen to ensure that those with IBD have the best provision available in educational institutions.

I joined the Young Adult Advisory Panel as an enthusiastic amateur in IBD advocacy and to help include the voices and improve the lives of young adults with IBD in the UK.

I channelled this enthusiasm into various projects and roles, such as art exhibition ‘Low on Spoons, Not Identity’, celebrating intersectionality in the chronic illness community and 2024 Crohn’s and Colitis Young Adult Network Fellow role. I went on to pursue a psychology degree and work at local theatres. I hope my experiences will encourage  help build confidence and growth in IBD advocacy and shape a supportive, IBD-aware future.

I'm Ali Sidat, a member of the Young Adults Advisory Panel. A final year medical student and work as a hospital porter. My journey with Crohn's disease began at 14, and it was this experience that sparked my passion for gastroenterology.

Helping others extends beyond my future career goals. I find satisfaction in mentoring prospective medical students. I share my knowledge by teaching fellow 4th medical students about medicine and surgery. Whether it's advocating for patients, empowering future medical professionals, or educating my peers, I'm committed to using my experiences and abilities to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

I work as a porter at a local hospital on the weekends, a job I secured during the pandemic and continue to enjoy immensely. It's given me valuable first-hand experience of the healthcare system from a different perspective, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute in this way too.

I'm thrilled to be a part of this panel and I'm determined to be a strong voice for young adults with IBD.

I'm Ross Axworthy, and I'm thrilled to be a part of the Crohn's and Colitis Young Adults Advisory Panel. My journey with Crohn's disease began unexpectedly in 2019, and I'll admit, I had never even heard of the disease before my diagnosis. But as they say, adversity can be a powerful teacher, and I've since dedicated myself to understanding and navigating this condition to the best of my ability.

Professionally, I serve as a Regional Sales Trainer, where I find immense fulfilment in mentoring and empowering others to reach their full potential.

Outside of work, you'll often find me pounding the pavement as an avid runner. Long-distance marathons and half-marathons are my passion, providing both physical and mental strength during challenging times.

Joining the Young Adults Advisory Panel was a natural step for me. I'm deeply passionate about supporting young adults like myself who are living with Crohn's and colitis. Ensuring our voices are heard and our needs are met is something I'm truly committed to.

I'm excited to bring my personal experiences, professional expertise, and unwavering dedication to the table as we work together to make a positive impact within the Crohn's and colitis community.

I’m living with Pan Crohn’s Colitis. I was diagnosed in 2022 and went through paediatric and adult care which has given me the opportunity to share my experiences with the panel.

My aim is to provide secondary schools and universities with condensed and accessible information about IBD, this is something that I feel needs to be addressed. Through sharing my experiences, I believe that the youth panel can and will continue to make a positive impact towards the way in which Crohn’s and Colitis UK presents themselves. I take time to contribute to opportunities that can help understand IBD in ways we never thought possible. I look forward to more opportunities and working with others to help you with living, learning, and raising awareness about IBD.

I have a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and work as a Regulatory Executive for a Pharmaceutical Consultancy firm based in Belfast.

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2021, a month after I graduated from university and just before starting my first graduate job. My treatment path has been incredibly difficult and I suffered greatly with symptoms until I underwent surgery in 2022. I now live with a permanent colostomy bag which has allowed me to enjoy good health and pursue the things I am passionate about including swimming and travelling.

I am incredibly passionate about improving awareness of IBD and was eager to be part of the Panel. As a young person who has been impacted so heavily by Crohn’s it has equipped me with a breadth of experience and understanding that I would love to be able to share and put to good use helping others.