Charitable Trusts and Foundations
ERIC is very grateful to the Charitable Trusts and Foundations that have supported our work. Childhood continence can be a difficult cause to raise funds for, as some people are embarrassed about being associated with such sensitive problems.
Although we understand this, there is a huge need to overcome the stigma and taboos that surround incontinence, so that people realise that help is available and that the problems can be overcome or better managed. Young people deserve to have the chance to get the help that exists. By supporting ERIC, you can help to make that a reality. A few examples are given below of our funding needs.
Examples of projects for which we need funding
ERIC Information & Helpline service
ERIC’s confidential Helpline is open between 10am and 4pm each weekday. Most of the calls received are from young people, parents and health professionals. Many calls are complex and require ongoing support, particularly those concerning young people with special needs. We also provide an email service, manage the very popular moderated message boards which allow our users to make contact in a safe environment, make sure the website remains up to date, write general information leaflets and articles on bedwetting, daytime wetting, constipation and soiling, oversee the research library, contribute to clinical publications and articles and manage an annual mailout schedule to keep thousands of individuals and organisations up to date on ERIC’s work. We undertake regular evaluations of the Helpline service and the responses to date have been 100% positive! To quote just one typical comment: “Trying to cope with my son’s bedwetting has been a nightmare. Your Helpline has been a lifeline to me. It was good to talk to someone who understood and who could help answer all my questions.” (parent)
Campaigns
Water is Cool in School and Bog Standard are two school-based campaigns organised by ERIC. Their aims are to improve access to and provision of drinking water and toilet facilities for pupils. You can find out all about the water campaign at www.wateriscoolinschool.org.uk and about the toilet campaign at www.bog-standard.org. A donation to our campaign work helps us to: keep the campaign websites up to date with current information and resources; lobby the government to introduce minimum standards for pupils, and spread the word about the importance of fresh drinking water and good quality, well-maintained toilets to schools.
ERIC has to pay for things like rent, heat and light to keep our office running. Lots of people don’t find these very exciting things to give money towards, but if we couldn’t pay our bills, ERIC wouldn’t be able to provide our very much needed and valued services. Even if you think these things are less exciting, we can promise you that they are very important to keep ERIC going, so if you are able to contribute to our core costs, we will be extremely grateful.
Producing leaflets and posters
ERIC produces a range of information leaflets, posters and postcards. These help people to understand more about continence problems and find out about the help that ERIC can give. We need your donation to be able to carry on producing these leaflets so that more people can find out about ERIC, about bedwetting, daytime wetting, constipation and soiling, and learn more about the help that is available to overcome or better manage these conditions.