Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is often very challenging, helping someone living with it can also be challenging as you navigate the unknown. We chat with Crohn’s and Colitis Ireland to share ways you can support someone suffering with IBD.
It’s estimated that over 40,000 to 50,000 people in Ireland live with IBD which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Frequently affected are young adults aged between 15-35, however older people can receive diagnosis too.
For those living with the condition, its often very challenging and difficult to navigate as the unpredictable and often painful nature of it means that invisible symptoms can disrupt daily life. While patients learn to adapt to and manage their condition, the support system around them is hugely important.
Helping those living with IBD can be the difference between their quality of life. Ahead of World IBD Day on 19 May, Crohn’s and Colitis Ireland wants to shine a light on the pivotal role that we all play in helping people to live well with IBD.
Their new hands-on guide, It Takes a Village, has been published busting myths, advising on language to use, and to avoid, and offering guidance on how to be a great ally.
“It Takes a Village to live with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). People with IBD simply can’t do it alone,” says Victoria Spillane, Chief Operating Officer, Crohn’s and Colitis Ireland.
Here, Crohn’s and Colitis Ireland share how best to support someone you know living with IBD.
Learn the basics. Understanding what IBD actually is, is the first act of support. It’s a lifelong, unpredictable condition that affects every area of life. When families, friends, teachers and employers understand symptoms like fatigue, urgency and pain, it immediately reduces stigma and isolation.
Offer flexibility. IBD doesn’t run to a schedule and so people with IBD often need last-minute changes. This can be flexible work or school arrangements, unrestricted bathroom access, remote working, adjusted deadlines, or rest breaks. Flexibility is one of the simplest but most powerful ways communities can help.
Listen without judgment. Support isn’t about having the answers; it’s about believing the person and responding with compassion. Listen with empathy and avoid minimising language— “but you look fine!” Respecting boundaries creates psychological safety and reduces the shame many people with IBD feel.
Make participation possible. Whether in schools, sports clubs or social settings, inclusion matters. Offer options. Allow people to step in or out without guilt or pressure. Make space for them to participate in a way that feels manageable, especially during flares.
Offer practical help. Small acts go a long way to making daily life easier. Helping with lifts, meals, errands, childcare, exam adjustments, shorter meetings, or honouring “No Wait” bathroom cards. Being supportive in this way reduces overwhelm and allows people with IBD to conserve their limited energy.
Crohn’s and Colitis Ireland is a support organisation in Ireland for people who are living with, or impacted by, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. It works to improve the quality of life and well-being of the IBD community through a range of services, including its Support Line, group meetings and peer support services.
