With their Huddersfield office at the heart of their operations, they’ve been providing life-changing information, raising awareness, and funding research for more than 50 years. We spoke with Communications Officer Amy Owst about the charity’s local impact, their innovative ‘Can’t Wait’ cards, and how the Huddersfield community can get involved.
About Your Work:
What does Guts UK do and what’s your mission?
Guts UK is the national charity for the digestive system. For more than 50 years, we’ve been helping the UK get to grips with guts. Our mission is to improve the lives of the millions of people affected by digestive conditions across the UK.
Our work spans three main areas: information, awareness and research.
- Information
We provide expert information and support to people living with and affected by a range of digestive conditions. Information on more than 40 digestive conditions and symptoms can be found at: gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/. We empower people to take control of their health and make informed decisions, armed with information they can trust.
- Awareness
Our research shows that 58% of people are embarrassed to talk about their digestive conditions or symptoms and 52% delay seeking advice for their symptoms for over six months. It’s vital that we raise public awareness to improve understanding and education around digestive conditions and symptoms, and how and when to seek help. We empower people to learn more about their digestive systems and share their experiences.
- Research
Guts UK is the only national charity funding research into the whole digestive system. We have funded over 450 research projects so far, covering the gut, liver, pancreas, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), nutrition and digestive cancers.
What impact have you made locally in Huddersfield?
We have attended local events including within the University of Huddersfield, social and educational clubs, Huddersfield Food Festival, health and well-being pop-ups, and attended Mondays at the Museum at the Tolsen Museum for a few months to increase public awareness.
We also support local businesses where possible as a charity.
Can you share a success story that stands out?
In 2024, we launched our ‘Can’t Wait’ cards, with help from our community for people with a digestive condition who might need to use the toilet urgently when they are away from home.
The cards are small, wallet-sized and can be shown to people in public spaces to let them know that you need urgent access to a toilet.
In 2025, we have sent out over 3500 ‘Can’t Wait’ cards and have received encouraging feedback so far.
You can order your free ‘Can’t Wait’ card at gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/this-cant-wait-card/ .
Local Connection:
Why is Huddersfield important to your organisation?
Guts UK grew and developed here – it’s in our DNA!
Huddersfield also has great transport links to major cities and helps us to bring together people from our two offices in Huddersfield and London. Huddersfield is also full of diversity, which is fantastic when it comes to sharing experiences on digestive health and raising public awareness.
How does the local community support you?
We receive support from people all over the UK, including right here in Huddersfield. From sharing their personal stories to fundraising for our charity, there are lots of ways that people support us.
Getting Involved:
How can local people get involved or support your cause?
Whether you’ve been affected by digestive conditions and symptoms and have a story to share, or you want to help raise funds for our charity, we’d love to hear from you.
If you know someone who needs support, you can help us by spreading the word – tell people about the information we provide on our website and via our Helpline. You can follow us on social media by searching ‘gutscharityuk’ and like and share our posts to help us reach more people.
As a charity, we rely on the generosity of our community to help us raise much-needed funds. There are ways for everyone to get involved, whether it’s taking on a personal challenge, turning your favourite hobby into a fundraiser, or encouraging your colleagues to fundraise at work. Find out more at gutscharity.org.uk/support-us.
Looking Ahead:
What are your main goals for the next few years?
In January 2025, Guts UK launched our five-year strategy. The development of our five-year strategy has been an opportunity to evaluate our work, reflect on our history, hear from our community, partners and donors, and identify our priorities for the future. Our mission and values have changed, reflecting the growth of our charity and what’s most important to us.
To learn more about Guts UK’s five-year strategy, visit gutscharity.org.uk/2025/01/guts-uk-launches-exciting-five-year-strategy/ .
What would you like more people in Huddersfield to know about your work?
In April 2025, Guts UK launched a Helpline for people affected by digestive conditions and symptoms. Following a successful six-month pilot, the Helpline will now become a permanent part of the support Guts UK offers. The Helpline provides information, support and guidance to people affected by a range of digestive conditions and symptoms and is free to anyone who needs it.
Between the end of April and end of August, our Helpline supported more than 850 people, both over the phone and online. 93% told us they felt listened to and that our support helped them to take next steps to seek the help they needed.
Ways to contact our Helpline
By telephone: Freephone 0300 102 4887. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm.
By online form: gutscharity.org.uk/helpline. Please note: The Guts UK Helpline team will do their best to respond to your query within 10 working days, however, they’re a small team and this can take longer during busier periods. Any urgent health-related matters should always be directed to the NHS, your GP or urgent care services.
To find out more about our Helpline, including what we can and can’t help with, visit: gutscharity.org.uk/contact-us/ .
Personal:
What do you enjoy most about working in Huddersfield?
I love a good, independent coffee shop. It’s hard to resist popping out on your lunch break for a leg stretch and a coffee (and maybe cake!)
