Banish the Wee Horror bedwetting campaign to offer support to parents whose children still wet the bed

Wetting the bed seems to be a massive taboo in UK society but it is far more common than people realise.

Bedwetting is believed to affect around half a million children and teenagers in the UK every night.

Despite this, no one wants to talk about it believing themselves to be isolated and alone.

Now, ERIC is launching a new campaign this month – Banish the Wee Horror – to raise awareness of bedwetting and encourage desperate parents to contact them for support.

Bristol based ERIC, is the only charity in the UK dedicated to providing advice and support for parents whose children have continence problems.

Studies reveal that 1 in 6 five years old, 1 in 7 seven year olds, 1 in 11 nine year olds and even one in 50 teenagers are still affected by bedwetting, with the problem being more common in boys.

This time of year, children can find it particularly upsetting, turning down invitations to stay at a friend’s house for sleepovers or starting to feel the stress of an approaching family holiday.

Dealing with the problem on summer holidays can also be a headache for anxious parents uncertain how to cope with wet hotel beds or even having to explain to family members they may stay with.

But ERIC are keen to stress that families do not need to deal with the problem alone – help just a quick phone call away.

According to ERIC’s director, Jenny Perez, an awareness campaign the charity ran last year saw enquiries to the charity’s helpline increase by a third, visits to their website surging.

This year they are aiming to reach and help even more families.

Jenny says:  “Bedwetting affects half a million UK children and teenagers every night, but the scale of the problem remains hidden, partly because people find it embarrassing to talk about.

“Only one in three affected families comes forward for help. The ‘Banish the Wee Horror’ campaign will tell children and parents loud and clear that they are not alone. Things can be done to overcome or manage the problem and ERIC can help, with expertise and years of experience.”

You can contact ERIC for help and advice in the following ways:

Telephone Helpline 0845 370 8008 (open from 10 am – 4 pm on week days)
Website  www.eric.org.uk  
Text 447 624 811 636