The ERIC Helpline Podcast: for families with children affected by bowel and bladder conditions

In a special episode, Former England Rugby Captain Lewis Moody, who lives with ulcerative colitis, meets 15-year-old Jake. Jake has suffered with bowel problems since birth. Long hospital stays meant he missed childhood experiences and struggled in school. ERIC helped his family throughout their journey to ileostomy surgery, and beyond. He’s now using his experiences to help others as part of ERIC's Christmas Appeal this year.
Read more about Jake's story and support our appeal here: https://eric.org.uk/eric-christmas-appeal-2025-jakes-story/

Developmental Psychologist Dr Kate McGarry and ERIC's Head of Family Services Sarah answer your questions about laxatives and how they are used to treat childhood constipation.

In a shorter extract from our last episode, Developmental Psychologist Dr Kate McGarry and ERIC's Head of Family Services Sarah discuss the mindset behind poo withholding and what's going on inside a child's brain when they're refusing to poo on the potty or toilet.

In the second of a two-part series, Developmental Psychologist Dr Kate McGarry joins ERIC's Head of Family Services Sarah to discuss why some children hold onto their poo and how to guide them into healthy toileting habits.

What is toilet anxiety and how can you help your child overcome it? ERIC Nurse Sunni and Head of Family Services Sarah discuss the issue and how to encourage healthy toileting habits. For more information, visit our website: https://eric.org.uk/information/toilet-anxiety/.