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Crohn's? Colitis? We'll face it together

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.

If you need urgent medical assistance call NHS111. In an emergency call 999 or attend your local A&E.

In Northern Ireland you can call Phone First. In an emergency call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

If you need emotional support the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 116 123.

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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

How we can help | How to contact us | Who will answer my call? | What if English isn't my preferred language? | Other forms of support

How we can help?

We can help you understand Crohn's and Colitis
Listen and talk about living with IBD
Help you connect with others in the Crohn's and Colitis community
Give you contact details of specialist organisations
We can support you to live well with Crohn's or Colitis and provide up-to-date, evidence-based information

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 individual 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 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).

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

You can also write to us

Helpline, Crohn’s & Colitis UK, 1 Bishops Square (Helios Court), Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield AL10 9NE

We take your privacy seriously, and your data is always safe with Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Calls may be recorded, in-line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You can read our data privacy policy here.

Call 0300 222 5700

Email helpline@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

LiveChat

When LiveChat is showing that we are ‘Open’, one of our trained and experienced helpline officers will be here to LiveChat. You won’t be chatting with a bot.

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.

Who will answer my call or LiveChat?

A member of our trained and experienced helpline team. Between us we have many years of supporting people with 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 need to talk in another language interpreters are available over the phone. When you call the helpline you’ll hear a short message. When we answer let us know, in English, the language you want to use.

We will then connect with an interpreter. This should only take a minute or two.

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.

You may also be interested in our All about Crohn’s and Colitis information which is available in English, Bengali, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Urdu and Welsh.

How we're doing

In 2025 we responded to almost 8000 queries to the helpline across our different services.
98% of people who contacted us in 2025 and responded to our survey said they would recommend our helpline to others.

Feedback from people who have used the service

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The helpline is brilliant. The team are so supportive and easy to talk to. I feel so grateful that this service is available to me as I do not know anybody with IBD.

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The person was very kind and compassionate. They filled me with reassurance.

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The officer helped me locate all the information I wanted to research so I can now make an informed decision about my medication.

More feedback

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.

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.

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

If you have a question about your Crohn's or Colitis

You may be able to find an answer to your question on our information pages. Our information can be viewed online or you can download items to print or read later.

Feeling anxious or worried?

Living with a long-term condition like Crohn’s or Colitis can trigger lots of different feelings and emotions. You’re not alone. Around half of all people with Crohn’s or Colitis say it has affected their mental health in some way.

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.

Mind

Mind have lots of resources on their website. You can call their Support line on 0300 102 1234, 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

We take your privacy seriously, and your data is always safe with Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Calls may be recorded, in-line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Read our privacy and confidentiality policies.

Finding support from others

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.

Local Networks

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.

Online communities

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.

Virtual Social Events

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Helpline service

Crohn's? Colitis? We'll face it together