Meet Hilary and Jan
Hilary Tonge
Loo4U-Clare, Co-Founder
A Proven Advocate for Community Change
Hilary Tonge has a long history of driving community initiatives and championing change in County Clare. She was a dedicated Development Worker with WCI Clare, she has consistently worked to foster inclusive local development, ensuring all community members benefit from grassroots action.
Hilary conceptualised and built the Women’s Hub (Mna Ag Gaire) to create a welcoming space for women in Ennis and County Clare. This initiative has provided vital opportunities for skill-sharing, social interaction, and support, particularly for women facing technological and career barriers. With nearly 8,000 visitors since May 2022 and 1,600 women benefiting from skill-share programs, the Hub has proven its impact. During the pandemic, it played a crucial role in providing PPE to nursing homes across the county.
As a key figure in the Mid-West Hospital Campaign, Hilary has tirelessly advocated for better healthcare services. She has been a visible spokesperson on radio and television, calling for upgrades to Ennis hospital and the restoration of emergency services in Ennis. The campaign successfully mobilized 11,000 people for a march in Limerick, highlighting the urgency of healthcare improvements.
Hilary actively participates in the Clare Solidarity Network and was helpful in organising significant events, such as ‘Clare Welcomes All,’ which provided a platform for asylum seekers and refugees to voice their concerns. Her work with the Ukrainian community through Mna Ag Gaire further demonstrates her commitment to inclusivity.
Through her participation in the Clare Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) 2023-2028, Hilary has been recognized for her expertise in shaping policies that enhance County Clare’s socio-economic landscape. Her work with the Public Participation Network (PPN) and the Clare County Council Health Sub-Committee has further cemented her role as a trusted advocate for local development.
Hilary’s passion for community-driven change, her ability to mobilize people, and her extensive network make her a powerful advocate for accessibility, healthcare, and social equality in County Clare. Her leadership, vision, and relentless determination ensure that local voices are heard and that real change is achieved.
Jan Strozer
Loo4U-Clare Co-Founder
Educated, Motivated, and Grounded in Lived Experience
I happen to be one of the 50,000 people living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Ireland. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when I was 7 years old. Forty-four years later, among lots of other things, I still struggle at times to find a toilet when I need it. I have certainly encountered kind business-owners willing to let me use their toilet after much explanation. I don’t look like I have a disability or health condition, so it can take a bit of explaining. It is not comfortable for me and, honestly, I imagine it is not comfortable for the business owner/employee. However, explain I must, and hopefully quickly enough before it is too late!
After being diagnosed at 7 years old, I found relief in having a name for what was going on in my body. At this young age, I’d constantly heard messages that I was “lazy,” “not interested in school,” or “picky about food.” In school, was embarrassed how many times I had to ask permission to go to the bathroom and shocked by how much resistance I got about it.
My life with Crohn’s Disease has provided for a unique life experience and has motivated me to find ways to make the necessities easier, for myself and others. Some things in life just do not need to be complicated. And, finding a toilet is one of those things whether you live with IBD, have an overactive bladder, are neurodivergent and perhaps not recognising body cues, or one of the many reasons toilet needs can become urgent.
In my story, a diagnosis gave me a way to reframe negative messages, pain, and uncertainty more accurately. While many find encouragement or motivation in thinking in terms of “fighting” IBD or being a “warrior;” for me, it has been more about partnering with her IBD and body. While I have had many successful profession accomplishments in the areas of public health, research, reporting, and presentation, my most successful collaboration has been learning to collaborate with my IBD in living a normal and healthy life with “normal” and “healthy” defined in my own terms.
For the past 20 years, I have navigated marriage and, for the past 13 years, children in the context of my IBD…a difficult task! I am thrilled to be able co-develop Loo4U-Clare to increase access to toilets in public businesses.
