S2 Ep1647: Guts UK - Let's Talk Guts Campaign

So why does Guts UK exist?

So Guts UK is the national charity for the digestive system here in the UK and our work covers three main areas.

So we've got information and support.

So we provide information and support for people affected by a range of digestive conditions and symptoms.

Our information covers more than 40 conditions, symptoms and areas of health and lifestyle.

And we provide that in printed leaflet format, which is often found in hospitals or clinics, digitally on our website and through a dedicated helpline, which operates a free-form telephone line and an online web form.

Then we've got research.

So we are currently the only UK charity that funds research into the whole of the digestive system.

And our research aims are to increase earlier diagnosis and prevention, to find innovative new treatments and to improve care and quality.

So we fund research projects that explore all areas of the digestive system.

But earlier this year, we launched a new strategy and that really highlights the areas of prioritization for us, which includes neglected and underfunded digestive conditions where we feel as a charity, we can make the biggest difference So that includes pancreatitis, diverticular disease, IBS and disorders of the gut-brain interaction.

And we'll also continue to prioritise research into stomach and esophageal cancer, which are two of the less survivable cancers of the digestive system, into a range of gut and liver conditions in children.

then the third and final area of our work is awareness and public education and that is around really increasing awareness of digestive conditions and symptoms improving public education around digestive health and importantly what that includes is reducing the stigma that very much surrounds digestive health encouraging people to be able to recognize their digestive systems and in particular when they might be persistent bothersome and might indicate something more serious And then how and when they can seek help and whether that's, you know, from a pharmacist in the community or from their GP.

It's about people being able to find the information and support that they need and really knowing what the next steps are for them.

So we're really about helping people feel informed, educated and empowered to take control of their health.

So why does Guts UK exist?

So Guts UK is the national charity for the digestive system here in the UK and our work covers three main areas.

So we've got information and support.

So we provide information and support for people affected by a range of digestive conditions and symptoms.

Our information covers more than 40 conditions, symptoms and areas of health and lifestyle.

And we provide that in printed leaflet format, which is often found in hospitals or clinics, digitally on our website and through a dedicated helpline, which operates a free-form telephone line and an online web form.

Then we've got research.

So we are currently the only UK charity that funds research into the whole of the digestive system.

And our research aims are to increase earlier diagnosis and prevention, to find innovative new treatments and to improve care and quality.

So we fund research projects that explore all areas of the digestive system.

But earlier this year, we launched a new strategy and that really highlights the areas of prioritization for us, which includes neglected and underfunded digestive conditions where we feel as a charity, we can make the biggest difference So that includes pancreatitis, diverticular disease, IBS and disorders of the gut-brain interaction.

And we'll also continue to prioritise research into stomach and esophageal cancer, which are two of the less survivable cancers of the digestive system, into a range of gut and liver conditions in children.

then the third and final area of our work is awareness and public education and that is around really increasing awareness of digestive conditions and symptoms improving public education around digestive health and importantly what that includes is reducing the stigma that very much surrounds digestive health encouraging people to be able to recognize their digestive systems and in particular when they might be persistent bothersome and might indicate something more serious And then how and when they can seek help and whether that's, you know, from a pharmacist in the community or from their GP.

It's about people being able to find the information and support that they need and really knowing what the next steps are for them.

So we're really about helping people feel informed, educated and empowered to take control of their health.