Helpline
Need to talk, need support? What is our helpline for?
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.
**Please be aware, over the festive period the helpline will be closed from 2.30pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024 until 9am on Thursday 2 January 2025**
You can find a wide range of information on our website.
If you need urgent medical assistance call NHS111. In an emergency call 999 or attend your local A&E.
If you need emotional support the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 116 123.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
They listened carefully to my queries and answered with clarity and understanding. I finished the call feeling supported beyond expectations.
Service user, November 2024.
Really supportive and caring and made me realise I'm not alone.
Service user, November 2024.
Prompt response, actively listening to my question. Empathic and able to understand everyone is an individual. Able to discuss options that I hadn't considered.
Service user, November 2024.
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 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.
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.
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 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
If you want support via text, contact SHOUT by texting 85258. This is a free 24/7 confidential text service.
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.
Our 50 Local Networks operate across the UK bringing local people affected by Crohn’s and Colitis together and raising awareness of the conditions with members of the public. From educational talks to social events, we help give people the comfort and confidence to live freer and fuller lives.
We have a Facebook forum where people affected by Crohn’s and Colitis can share their experiences and ask questions of others. Please note, the forum is not a space for medical advice. You will need to answer three questions when requesting to join.
We offer people affected by Crohn's or Colitis the chance to join a virtual social event with others across the UK. The events will be a chance to chat, share experiences and potentially learn from others.
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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).
If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.
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