Helpline support

Do you care for a child who is struggling with potty training, withholding, constipation and soiling, daytime bladder problems or bedwetting?

For information, practical tips, signposting and confidential support, call our expert advisors on FREEPHONE 0808 1699 949 

The helpline is open Monday - Thursday, 10am to 2pm and is free to call from landline and mobile numbers.

What can I do if the lines are busy?

We are a small charity and the lines can get very busy. If you would like to email our helpline advisors or request a call back, please complete this form. 

We also have a range of 'ERIC guides' with lots of information about children's bowel and bladder problems. Written by a specialist continence nurse, they cover the key reasons why issues can arise and how they can be managed and treated. 

Download information guides for free now

What help can I get? 

Our small team of expert advisors, Natalie, Alina, Amy and Kate, have been trained by healthcare professionals to provide up-to-date information and support on a wide range of continence issues. All information is based on guidelines produced by NICE – the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 

The Helpline offers advice, information and support, but not medical treatment or care. Our advisors cannot diagnose or give medical advice. Seek advice from your GP or other healthcare provider as needed. You can also call NHS Direct on 111 (for England and Scotland), or 0845 46 47 (in Wales).

Confidentiality and personal information 

The ERIC helpline is a private and confidential service. This means that what you choose to share with us remains confidential. However in rare circumstances, for example if we have reason to believe that you or someone else is at risk of significant and immediate harm, ERIC has a duty to break confidentiality and pass on information to a relevant third party.

You can read our privacy policy here.

All helpline calls are recorded for training and monitoring purposes. 

We’re members of The Helplines Partnership and adhere to their good practice standards.

Your feedback 

After your call, you will be sent an email asking you to provide feedback on the service you received. This feedback helps us make sure we keep getting better at supporting people affected by continence problems. We’re very grateful to everyone who takes the time to do this.

Complete our Helpline feedback form.

Peer to peer forums

Join ERIC's online community on HealthUnlocked and chat to fellow parents and carers who are supporting children with a bladder or bowel condition.  

A full list of support groups can be found here.

And finally...

The work that we do is only possible because of the support of people like you - we rely on voluntary donations to keep our vital services running. Please consider making a donation so we are here to help even more children, teenagers and families who need our support.

Donate to support our Helpline