The Red Lion Group (RLG) is a national support group and charity founded in 1994 by a group of patients and staff at St Mark’s Hospital for people who have had, or are considering, ileo-anal pouch surgery. RLG provides a friendly and informed forum for the sharing of ideas, concerns and experiences to support pouchees, potential pouchees and their friends and families.

Although founded and largely associated with St Mark’s Hospital, RLG draws members from other hospitals in the UK and, occasionally, overseas. It helps patients and families throughout their surgery and gives them support and reassurance during their recovery periods. One of the support group’s other key functions is to raise funds for important research projects into the causes, symptoms and treatment of intestinal conditions.

RLG holds an annual Information Day in May which includes seminars by specialists and healthcare professionals and workshops covering a wide range of topics of interest to pouch and potential pouch owners. The group also produces Roar!, a twice-yearly colour magazine in July and December that features case studies, key issues, members’ activities and forthcoming events. RLG has a lively and informative website, a Facebook page and links to other social media. To find out more, log on to pouchsupport.org or contact Gary Bronziet at membership@pouchsupport.org