New free Helpline: Children’s Charity hopes to reach thousands more in need of information and support about bladder and bowel conditions

A helpline supporting families dealing with bladder and bowel issues can now reach a wider audience. By moving to a new free to call number (0808 169 9949) ERIC’s confidential advice line for anyone caring for a child facing continence difficulties is even more accessible to those who need it.

Over the last 30 years, ERIC’s trained experts have helped thousands of children, young people, parents, carers, and healthcare professionals to gain information and support around challenging bladder and bowel conditions.

Juliette Randall, ERIC’s CEO said: “Over the past year we have been contacted by more than 2,000 people in relation to bedwetting, toilet training, constipation, daytime wetting and soiling.  We know this is the tip of the iceberg and we are doing all we can to reach out further to communities.  With support from our funders and changes in the telephone charging system one of the ways we are doing this is to provide a FREE helpline service.  We hope that by removing the cost barrier this will make the service accessible to the whole community.”

Supporting a child with a bladder or bowel problem can be very stressful and isolating. It’s an issue which still carries a lot of stigma and people can find hard to talk about openly. ERIC’s advisors offer a listening ear and support alongside practical information and signposting to relevant services. Here’s what two callers from the past six months have feedback since their contact with the ERIC helpline:

“After two years of going back and forward to a GP with no improvement in my child’s constant soiling, a call to ERIC helped me to understand what was happening and take the correct action to see a real change.”

“Excellent service. Knowledgeable and very supportive staff giving really great information. I wish I had called sooner!”

The launch of ERIC’s free bladder and bowel helpline took place at the charity’s 30^th birthday event which saw health and education professionals, parents and children, gather to celebrate the Bristol charity’s achievements and new initiatives.