Young Adults Advisory Panel

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 & 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 & 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 Crohn's & Colitis UK. My interests include sports, music and travelling.

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 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 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.

I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2024 after being admitted to hospital with a critical infection and had an Ileostomy formed to help save my life. Having a diagnosis has been scary, coming to terms with living life as a young adult in a very atypical way. At the same time, I was grateful to finally have a name for the symptoms I had lived with since I was young. Being diagnosed with Crohn's has helped me understand my body in a new way, and with that comes new discussions and questions that have to be asked. As part of that, I am thrilled to join the Young Adult Advisory Panel, sharing my personal experiences with Crohn's to help young adults affected by IBD feel more comfortable and work towards a more accommodating future.

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2022 at the end of my first year of university. Managing a Crohn’s diagnosis meant navigating many challenges such as traveling up and down the country for tests and adapting to a new medical system during my study abroad year in Germany. Now, I’m in my final year of university studying philosophy, politics, and economics.

I am so grateful to have a place on the Young Adults Advisory Panel! I’m determined to advocate for other young people with IBD to ensure our voices are heard and our needs are met, whilst raising awareness about IBD.

Hi, I’m Ollie, and I’m honoured to be a member of the Young Adults Advisory Panel. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at 15 and now live with a permanent ileostomy, which has given me a second chance at life.

Before my stoma surgery, I kept my diagnosis largely to myself. However, after my first operation, I launched my social media page, where I’ve since become a passionate advocate for people with chronic and invisible illnesses, breaking stigma and inspiring others with similar experiences.

Outside of advocacy, I’m a medical student with a love for sport. I’ve had the privilege of representing England U19 Futsal, proving that IBD and living with a stoma isn’t the end of the world. I’m excited to work alongside the Panel, using my experiences to help shape the future of IBD care and ensure young people’s voices are heard and acted upon.

Hi, I’m Rachel and I’m excited to join the Young Adults Advisory Panel. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2017 and underwent ileostomy surgery in 2024. 

Crohn’s & Colitis UK has been an invaluable support through both the highs and the lows, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to help advocate for young people with IBD. 

Outside of this panel, I have completed a degree in History and now work in Project Management. In my free time I enjoy travelling, cooking, and playing and watching football.

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis back in 2021. Since then it has been quite the journey of ups and downs, and I am always keen to share those experiences with others.

I am in the privileged position to be in medical school so have also seen how IBD affects so many people, of all ages. It is my passion to help people however I can using my knowledge and experiences. I am so proud to be a part of the Young Adult Advisory Panel at Crohn’s & Colitis UK and am determined to do my bit for IBD awareness and represent young people with the condition.“