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Impact
The impact of getting the right support and information to deal with a continence difficulty can be dramatic: children can start living a normal life, they can take part in social activities, they feel happier and more confident, and the strain on family life is lifted.
For over 35 years we have been supporting families struggling with bowel and bladder conditions, ensuring that no child has to suffer in silence. This year, ERIC has launched its first Impact Report, outlining the full breadth of the work we do, not only with families but also with the professionals who support them, and looking ahead to our vision for the future and how we're adapting our organisation to respond better to future demands.
Ivan's story
Your help means we can keep making a difference when it matters the most for children like Ivan.
"When I found ERIC I felt relief. Finally someone was listening to me and really hearing me. There are experts I can get explanations from when things are confusing and that's just worth so much." - Elissa, Ivan's mum
Watch the story of Ivan, another child helped by ERIC, in our video below.
Vomiting, thrashing in pain, unable to sleep, and with a swollen stomach – this is how Ivan spent much of his toddler years, and doctors had no idea why. Here, his mum Elissa shares their experiences of severe constipation and how getting in touch with ERIC helped them seek the treatment Ivan needed.
In numbers
The impact data for our Helpline (6,196 families supported during 2024-25) from feedback forms over the past year showed...
Immediately after contacting the ERIC Helpline:
- 96% said ERIC understood their needs well
- 79% said ERIC helped them develop a plan for tackling the problem
- 81% said they felt more supported
Three months after contacting the ERIC Helpline:
- 47% felt more able to manage the day-to-day challenges of their child’s condition
- 90% said they would recommend the Helpline
For the webinars (2,032 parents/carers supported during 2024-25), the outcome data following the webinar is:
- I understand more about my child’s wee/poo problem - 71%
- I now have a plan for tackling the problem - 50%
- I now understand we are not the only family going through this - 55%
Annual accounts
We are registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Our most recent annual accounts and Trustees' report dated March 2024 is available to download here. Annual accounts from the last five years can be viewed on the Charity Commission website.
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Our project highlights
Join our online challenge to help you prepare your child to use the toilet at school, with expert advice from ERIC.
An evidence based approach to potty training, aimed at reducing the number of children starting school in nappies.
A co-production insights and engagement project on bowel and bladder health and the challenges young people face.
The difference we make
Katie's story
Katie was in pain from constipation most of her life, and spent lots of her childhood in hospital. Aged 8, colostomy surgery turned her life around. ERIC was a lifeline to support us throughout the journey. To give back, Katie joined with TV star Mollie Pearce in our Summer Apppeal to raise awareness of ERIC.
Fletcher's story
Constipation led to a build up and blockage of poo so severe, Fletcher's bowel stretched and he was unable to control his bowel movements. His mum Hannah shared his journey with ERIC to raise awareness in our Christmas Appeal, and Fletcher himself did some brilliantly brave fundraising for ERIC!
Eva's story
Eva suffered a spinal cord injury when she was 10 years old, leaving her unable to walk or control her bowel and bladder. Life turned upside down for the family – but ERIC helped them to manage and feel less alone. Eva shared her story on Radio 4 alongside TV star Mollie Pearce, who also has a stoma.