Helpline service

Crohn's & Colitis UK helpline

We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with Crohn’s or Colitis. But you’re not alone. We can give you the right information and support at the right time for you.

We provide up-to-date, evidence-based information and can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis.

We’re here for everyone.

Crohn's & Colitis UK helpline

It's natural to feel unsure about contacting a helpline for the first time. There's no need to feel embarrassed talking to us about your poo, toilet habits or other symptoms. It's good to talk and we have heard it all before


Anna, our helpline officer



How we can help

Our helpline team can help by:

  • Providing information about Crohn’s and Colitis.

  • Listening and talking through your situation.

  • Helping you to find support from others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community.

  • Providing details of other specialist organisations.

Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.

If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.


How to contact us

We're here for you via telephone, email or LiveChat.

Our lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).

You can email us anytime and we will aim to respond to your email within three working days.

Your data privacy and protection are important. All our calls are recorded in-line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You can read our data privacy policy here.

LiveChat

 

Live chat

When LiveChat is showing that we are ‘Open’, one of our trained and experienced helpline officers will be here to LiveChat.

If no one answers when you start the chat, please try again. We are busy answering all our queries as quickly as possible and we thank you for your patience. 

We want you to know that you will not be chatting with a chatbot here, you will chat with a real person - one of our helpline team members.


Who will answer my call or LiveChat?

Our team consists of trained and experienced helpline officers. We can provide you with up-to-date, evidence-based information.

Our helpline officers have experience of supporting many people affected by Crohn’s or Colitis. We will give you the time and space to talk through any questions. 

What if English isn’t my preferred language?

If you prefer to speak to us in another language, interpreters are available. When you call the helpline you’ll hear a short recorded message. When the call is answered by our team then state, in English, the language you would like to use.

We will then connect with an interpreter – this should hopefully only take a minute or two. This can only be done over the telephone, we cannot offer written translation for LiveChat or emails.

Our service provider employs fully qualified linguists who are capable of interpreting to a high standard. This is the current list of languages available.


Feedback from people who have used the service

My call was answered vey promptly. The person I talked was confident, empathetic and reassuring. They were able to answer my questions and concerns. I was also directed towards helpful areas of your website.


Service user, August 2024.

Listening without judgement, reassuring - strong message that I am not alone.


Service user, August 2024.

The person I spoke to seemed to really know what they were talking about. They weren’t reading off a script, they just understood the condition and it's individualities. It made me feel seen.


Service user, August 2024.


Other forms of support

What to do if you’re feeling unwell

We know how you feel can change at times and you might be having a flare-up of symptoms. It’s natural to ask if this is normal and what you should do. 

We're not qualified to give medical advice. If you’re having trouble managing your symptoms, then your IBD team or GP will be best placed to help you. 

Many hospital services have advice lines, usually supported by IBD Nurse Specialists. Our interactive map of services can help you search for your hospital including contact details for some of the UK IBD nurse advice lines.  

If you feel your symptoms are becoming an urgent medical concern, or you need urgent medical advice, you can call NHS 111. If you need emergency care call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.  

If you need help and understanding about your Crohn's or Colitis

If it’s not possible to contact us today, you may be able to find an answer to your question in our large range of information pages. Our information can be viewed online or you can download items to read later. 

We also provide topical information to support you, such as coronavirus, and our latest news items and stories

Our chatbot Gutsy can help you navigate these information pages too. You can find Gutsy via the button at the bottom-right of your screen.

Feeling anxious or worried?

Coping with a long-term condition can have a big impact on not only your physical symptoms, but your mental wellbeing, too. These feelings are completely normal, and many people with Crohn’s or Colitis experience them from time to time. 

Samaritans 

If you think that talking to someone about how you’re feeling would be helpful, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123. They are there for you whatever you’re going through and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also email them jo@samaritans.org   

Mind

Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They have lots of resources on their website. Local Minds provide mental health services in local communities across England and Wales. You can also call their helpline 0300 123 3393, 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays) or email info@mind.org.uk  

Shout

If you want support via text, contact SHOUT by texting 85258. This is a free 24/7 confidential text service. 


Disclaimer

Your data privacy and protection are important. Calls may be recorded in-line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Read our privacy and confidentiality policies. 



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Helpline service

Helpline
Service

We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with these conditions. But you’re not alone. We provide up-to-date, evidence-based information and can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis.

Our helpline team can help by:

  • Providing information about Crohn’s and Colitis.

  • Listening and talking through your situation.

  • Helping you to find support from others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community.

  • Providing details of other specialist organisations.

Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.

Please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).

Live chat

If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.

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