On Saturday 20th May, we held our first workshop event for parents and carers of children with bladder and bowel problems.

This joint networking event with Bladder Health UK at a venue just outside Cardiff provided an opportunity for families to pick up information, tips and strategies for dealing with childhood continence issues.    

Juliette Rayner ERIC’s CEO said: “We have been thrilled by the response to this workshop. Families often struggle in isolation and it was great to hear several parents on the day say that they really valued sharing their stories with other families.  Some couldn’t wait to get home and put some of the learning into action! We certainly hope to secure funding for the parents workshops to be repeated in other regions of the UK.”

Positive feedback                                                                                                     

We were delighted with the responses* we had back following this event:

• 100% would recommend the workshop to other parents
• 91% rated the workshop as excellent
• 82% said they understood more about what their child was experiencing
• 91% said they knew more about where to go for more information and help
• 82% said they now understood they were not the only family going through

*Feedback forms were completed by 22 of the 28 attendees.

Becky, a parent who attended the workshop said: “I have found that this workshop has been an extremely valuable day. I have learnt so much. It has been reassuring to speak to other parents to know there are other parents who have children with bowel problems.” 

Lorna, who has cared for children with continence issues and now works for the continence service in Bedford said: “I found all the presentations informative, uplifting and inspiring! After the event I was fired to learn more and I want to be a “Champion on Continence”! I shall certainly put my name forward for any future professional training sessions. I would also recommend any parent to attend any future workshops as it is amazing how being aware of issues helped those present." 

A Bristol stool chart cake was won by one lucky attendee who guessed its weight! 

Future events 

If you would be interested in attending a parent and carer workshop in the future please email your details along with postcode to [email protected] 

Peer to peer support 

Connect with other parents and carers who are supporting children with bladder and bowel issues via our Health Unlocked community.