ERIC, The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity, returns with its biennial conference. This is a key event for healthcare professionals featuring cutting-edge research, interactive workshops, practical demonstrations and much more.
Around 1 in 9 children and young people in the UK are affected by a bowel or bladder condition, according to the Paediatric Continence Forum's Children's Continence Commissioning Guide (2024). For these children, problems such as bedwetting, daytime wetting, chronic constipation and soiling can be daily realities rather than passing phases. Despite how common they are, these conditions remain shrouded in stigma and embarrassment or a lack of awareness of symptoms can leave families struggling on alone rather than seeking the professional help they need.
This year's conference marks a significant milestone: 35 years since ERIC became a registered charity. In October we will host our 18th national conference – an event which has played a pivotal role in developing a programme of work that has since improved outcomes, strengthened services and raised awareness for children with bladder and bowel conditions.
Sponsored by Clinisupplies, the face-to-face event at The Grand Hotel, Bristol offers professionals from across the UK and beyond the chance to network, exchange ideas, and share practice. Delegates can also explore the exhibition area, where a wide range of organisations will showcase products and treatments designed to support children, young people and families.
Motivation for Change
Supporting children with toileting difficulties can be emotionally and physically demanding for everyone involved. Wee and poo problems can affect a child's confidence, wellbeing and daily life, while leaving parents, carers and professionals feeling frustrated, overwhelmed and unsure how best to help.
At this year's Conference, Dr Cleo Williamson, a Clinical Psychologist specialising in children and young people, will lead a workshop titled Motivation to Change.
With more than a decade of experience across NHS mental health and paediatric services, Dr Williamson has extensive expertise in child development and the psychological factors that influence behaviour change. She has supported many children, young people and families through complex challenges and is renowned for her compassionate, practical approach.
The ‘Motivation to Change’ workshop will explore how practitioners can rebuild hope, nurture motivation and support meaningful, sustainable progress using evidence-based, child-centred approaches.
Dr Williamson explains:
“Toileting difficulties can be incredibly frustrating for the adults supporting a child, particularly when progress feels slow or when a child appears resistant to change. However, meaningful and lasting change rarely comes from pressure, persuasion or rewards alone. This workshop explores how practitioners can understand a child's motivation, build engagement and create the conditions that allow children to develop confidence, autonomy and a sense of success in their continence journey.
Rather than asking, “How do we get this child to comply?” the workshop encourages practitioners to consider, "What might be getting in the way of change, and how can we work alongside the child?" Attendees will gain practical strategies for fostering motivation, building trust, reducing shame and supporting children to experience small, achievable successes that help create lasting change.
The session will be particularly relevant for professionals supporting children with constipation, soiling, delayed toilet training and other continence difficulties, as well as those working with neurodivergent children and families.”
What else can you expect at the ERIC Conference?
Our programme brings the latest research and best practice together to help improve outcomes for children and young people with bladder and bowel conditions.
Throughout the day, delegates will gain valuable insights into the impact of continence issues on children of all ages and needs, discover innovative services and approaches, and benefit from opportunities to network, collaborate and share learning with peers.
The conference opens with an optional breakfast symposium, kindly sponsored by Clinisupplies, before moving into a dynamic morning plenary session featuring the latest research, expert perspectives and thought-provoking discussions.
A standout session in this year's programme will be a clinical deep-dive into ketamine-associated uropathy, led by Mr Mo Belal, Consultant Urologist and President-Elect of the British Association of Urological Surgeons.
Recreational ketamine use among young people has risen sharply – government wastewater analysis shows ketamine consumption in England increased by 229% between 2021 and 2025, the largest rise of any drug tested. The number of children and young people entering treatment for ketamine-related problems has nearly tripled in just three years, from 512 in 2021/22 to 1,465 in 2024/25. For continence services, this trajectory matters. Ketamine bladder is now an emerging and serious cause of urinary tract symptoms in young people, yet it remains under recognised in many frontline settings.
Mr Belal's session will offer a practical, structured framework covering early red flags, recommended investigations, management pathways, multidisciplinary care and how best to support young people presenting with substance-related continence issues.
For full details of the conference programme, including all talks, workshops and expert speakers, as well as information on how to book your place, visit our website.
This year’s ERIC Conference is at The Grand Hotel by Sunday in Bristol on Monday 12th October 2026. Read more and buy tickets at: www.eric.org.uk/conference-2026
Visit www.eric.org.uk for more information.
