As a valued member of our Healthcare Professional Community, we’d love for you to join us by promoting our message, engaging with our work on social media and, of course, sharing your own story.
By encouraging people to share their experiences we know we can make a real difference. From improving healthcare and access to services to providing vital information, and from shaping research to reducing stigma. We use stories every day to help people with Crohn's and Colitis live fuller, freer lives.
Tell us your story
We want to highlight the experiences of people throughout the Crohn’s and Colitis community, whatever their connection. That includes you.
If you’d be happy to share what Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week means to you, and why it’s important for you to show your support, please let us know or get in touch.
Key messages for your audiences
When discussing Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week 2021, you may find the following helpful.
- An estimated 500,000 people live with Crohn’s or Colitis, and many are suffering in silence. We are encouraging everyone to speak up and speak out this Awareness Week.
- Your story is powerful. By telling your story this Awareness Week, you help Crohn’s & Colitis UK make a real difference to the lives of people with Crohn’s and Colitis.
- Everyone in the Crohn's and Colitis community is unique and has a different experience to share. Your story matters.
Social posts
The following messages fit into Twitter’s 280-character limit and can accompany any of our graphics, or your own. Please choose the one that suits you best. If posting a thread or longer caption, please do add your personal touch and make Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week relevant to your work and your story.
- It’s #CrohnAndColitisAwarenessWeek and your story matters. Every day, [insert handle*] use people’s personal experiences to improve healthcare and access to services, provide vital information, and reduce stigma. With our support, people with Crohn's and Colitis live fuller, freer lives.
- [REPLY] Visit www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/awareness-week to find out more and share your story to make a difference this awareness week.
- Your story matters. I’m supporting @crohnscolitisuk because I believe in using our experiences to reduce stigma and highlight what needs to change. To share your story this #CrohnsandColitisAwarenessWeek, visit www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/share-your-story
- Your story matters. We’re supporting @crohnscolitisuk because we believe in using our experiences to reduce stigma and highlight what needs to change. To share your story this #CrohnsandColitisAwarenessWeek, visit www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/share-your-story
Our social handles are @crohnsandcolitisuk on Facebook and Instagram, and @crohnscolitisuk on Twitter. Click the images below to download your preferred graphic.
Other people’s stories
If you’re inspired by someone’s story that you hear during the week, please encourage them to complete our Share Your Story form at crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/share-your-story so that we can use it in our work, and they can see the benefit of sharing.
If someone is looking for information about living with Crohn’s or Colitis, our helpline is available via email, telephone, or Live Chat - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays). Details available here.
Purple Friday
If you’re familiar with Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week, you’re probably familiar with Purple Friday! This year, it takes place of Friday 3 December and is an opportunity to raise awareness and funds wherever you are that day. You might have a dress up day where everyone wears purple, or you could host a bake sale or quiz for your friends and colleagues. If you’re looking to raise funds this Awareness Week, get in touch with us and whatever you do, remember to tag us and use #PurpleFriday
Your signature
We’ve provided a signature containing some information about the week, and our key information, so please add this to your email signature throughout the week (1-7 December) as an additional way to spread the word and raise awareness. You can click the image below to download the signature. If you’re able to add a clickable link, please use https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/awareness-week
In My Shoes
In My Shoes: 24 Hours with Crohn’s or Colitis is a free, immersive app which enables anyone in a patient's support network to step into the life of someone living with these conditions for one day. Whether you work in primary or secondary care, you can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by Crohn's and Colitis by trying the In My Shoes app and using our resources to promote the app to colleagues and patients.
Find out more about the app and view our resources to support you to get the most out of the app this Awareness Week.
