IBD and Crohn’s & Colitis Resources for the United Kingdom

IBD in the United Kingdom

More than half a million people in the UK (over 1 in 123, or 0.81% of the population) live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, nearly double the 300,000 previously estimated. The figure comes from a University of Nottingham study, the largest of its kind and funded by Crohn’s & Colitis UK and Coeliac UK, which also found prevalence rising to 1 in 67 among people in their 70s.

National Organisations

Crohn's & Colitis UK

National organisation serving all UK regions Based in: Hatfield, United Kingdom

Organization Type:

Charity Patient Advocacy Health Consumer Organisation

Features:

Support Programs IBD Helpline Educational Resources Research Updates

Financial Information:

65% of expenditure on charitable activities (FY2025)

Details:

Crohn’s & Colitis UK is the UK’s national charity for people affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It runs an IBD Helpline and support services, funds research, and campaigns to raise awareness and push for better IBD care and treatment across the UK. Learn more about Crohn’s & Colitis UK

British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG)

National professional body for UK gastroenterologists Based in: London, United Kingdom

Organization Type:

Health Professional Body Medical Research Organisation

Features:

Clinical Guidelines Patient Resources Research Programs

Details:

The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) promotes gastroenterology and hepatology across the UK. Founded in 1937, it represents the physicians, surgeons, pathologists, scientists, nurses, and dietitians who work in the field, and today has more than 4,000 members. It develops evidence-based clinical guidelines, supports research, shapes the UK gastroenterology training curriculum, and co-owns medical journals including Gut. Learn more about BSG

CICRA (Crohn's in Childhood Research Association)

UK-wide support for children with IBD and their families Based in: United Kingdom

Organization Type:

Charity Patient Advocacy Medical Research Organisation

Features:

Support Programs Research Funding Educational Resources

Financial Information:

74% of expenditure on charitable activities (FY2024)

Details:

CICRA (Crohn’s in Childhood Research Association) is a charity working for better lives for children and young people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It funds and manages research into childhood IBD, produces information and educational resources, and supports families through emotional wellbeing programmes, family information days, and work with schools and colleges. Learn more about CICRA

European Shared Resources

European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO)

European organisation serving UK and other European countries Based in: Europe

Organization Type:

Health Professional Body Medical Research Organisation

Features:

Clinical Guidelines Research Programs Educational Resources

Details:

The European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) is a non-profit focused entirely on inflammatory bowel disease. Founded in 2001, it has grown into Europe’s main forum for IBD specialists, producing the clinical guidelines, research, and education that support healthcare professionals and, in turn, patients across the continent.

Online Communities

Crohn's & Colitis UK Forum (Facebook)

Official online community of Crohn's & Colitis UK Based in: United Kingdom

Organization Type:

Patient Support Group

Features:

Peer Support Actively moderated

Details:

The Crohn’s & Colitis UK Forum is the charity’s official Facebook community for anyone affected by Crohn’s or Colitis, a space to share experiences and ask questions, moderated by Crohn’s & Colitis UK staff Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm (excluding UK bank holidays). The charity also runs a separate Facebook community for healthcare professionals involved in IBD care.

Global Resources

For additional resources available worldwide, please visit our Global Resources page.