What Bladder Health UK does

Bladder Health UK (BHUK) is a registered charity (No. 1149973) founded in 1994 and headquartered in Birmingham, England. It is the largest UK bladder patient support charity, serving individuals affected by cystitis, urinary tract infections, Fowler's syndrome, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, overactive bladder, and urinary and faecal incontinence. BHUK's core offerings include a confidential telephone Advice Line staffed by retired specialist nurses and expert patients, an annual membership programme providing a handbook, diet and recipe booklets, the 'Can't Wait Card', a lending library, and access to a UK-wide network of local support groups (face-to-face and Zoom-based). The organisation publishes a triannual membership magazine 'Your Bladder Health' and runs an online message board forum.

BHUK does not develop proprietary technology products. Its infrastructure consists of a website hosted by Forty49, a CRM database hosted by Intelisense IT, Enthuse for online membership applications, Stripe for donations, Zoom for webinars and virtual support groups, and Humanitix for event booking. Distribution is entirely direct-to-consumer via website, telephone, post, email, and regional volunteer coordinators; no intermediary resellers or distributors are used.

The charity generates revenue through four streams: annual membership subscriptions, donations and fundraising (online via Stripe, post, phone, in-memory gifts, and events such as marathons and sponsored walks), tiered corporate sponsorship packages (Platinum through Standard), and event registration fees for study days and webinars. BHUK receives no statutory funding and relies on the contributions of individual supporters and approximately 15 corporate sponsors spanning medical device manufacturers (ConvaTec, Axonics, Bulkamid, B. Braun), pharmaceutical companies (Aspire Pharma, Consilient Health, Astellas), and consumer health brands (Procter & Gamble/Always Discreet, Attends). Beyond service delivery, BHUK engages in systemic advocacy, notably co-authoring the 2021 Pelvic Floor Report (which received a 2022 Communique Awards High Commendation), co-leading the MUST campaign on urine specimen protocols, and contributing to the WFIPP's World Continence Week 2021 activities.

Name

Bladder Health UK

Legal name

Bladder Health UK

Website

https://bladderhealthuk.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bladder Health UK is a Birmingham-based registered charity founded in 1994 that provides support, information, and advocacy to individuals across the UK affected by bladder conditions including cystitis, interstitial cystitis, overactive bladder, and incontinence, via an advice line, membership programme, support groups, and corporate-sponsored publications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Patient Support Charity Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Individual and Family Services (6241), Health Care and Social Assistance (62)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Toileting & Incontinence Care (HSABABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Urology (HLAKAOAA), Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery (Urogynecology) (HLAKAOAC), Neurourology & Voiding Dysfunction (HLAKAOAI), Incontinence & Urological Supplies (Catheters, Briefs, Ostomy Supplies) (HSABAKAH), Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (Women’s & Men’s Health) (HSADAIAG)

Keywords

• Bladder health support
• Patient advocacy charity
• Continence care support
• Bladder condition information
• Chronic illness support

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: BHUK generates revenue through annual membership subscriptions. Members receive a new member pack (dual Membership and Can't Wait Card), literature, lending library access, resources list, and are put in touch with a local coordinator or phone-pal contact.
2. Donations and Fundraising: BHUK receives donations from supporters, including online donations via Stripe, post or phone donations, gifts in memory of loved ones, and fundraising events (marathons, coffee mornings, sponsored walks, skydiving, etc.). The charity does not receive statutory funding.
3. Corporate Sponsorship and Advertising: BHUK generates revenue through corporate sponsorship packages (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Standard tiers) and advertising on its website and in its membership magazine 'Your Bladder Health'. Multiple medical device and pharmaceutical companies sponsor the charity.
4. Event Revenue: BHUK hosts study days and webinars for healthcare professionals and sufferers, with some events free for members and paid registration for non-members or external events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Bladder Health UK is a UK national charity that supports people living with bladder conditions such as cystitis, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, Fowler's syndrome, overactive bladder, and urinary and bowel incontinence. Its core offering is a confidential telephone Advice Line staffed by specialist nurses and expert patients, complemented by an annual membership programme that delivers a member handbook, diet and recipe booklets, factsheets, a 'Can't Wait Card', and a triannual 'Your Bladder Health' magazine, along with access to a nationwide network of local support groups.

Product overview

Bladder Health UK is a national charity offering a unified support service for people with bladder conditions including cystitis, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, Fowler's syndrome, overactive bladder, and continence issues. The core offering is a telephone Advice Line staffed by healthcare professionals, supplemented by a membership programme providing educational resources (handbook, factsheets, diet and recipe books), a triannual magazine, and access to a UK-wide network of local support groups. Additional services include online message forums and webinars for both patients and healthcare professionals. The organization does not operate a technology product but rather provides direct support services, information resources, and community connectivity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Confidential Telephone Advice Line Confidential telephone helpline (0121 702 0820) staffed by retired specialist nurses and expert patients providing advice on bladder condition treatments and emotional support, available to both members and non-members across the UK.
• Annual Membership Programme Annual membership providing a new member pack containing a Membership Card, Can't Wait Card, member handbook, Diet Booklet, Recipe Book, lending library access, resources list, and connection to local coordinators or phone-pal contacts.
• Your Bladder Health Magazine Triannual membership magazine containing expert articles, patient stories, treatment information, and charity updates, printed by Lion Press and distributed to members.
• Factsheets and Educational Resources Wide range of factsheets on bladder illness and various treatment options covering cystitis, UTIs, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, overactive bladder, and incontinence, available to members and the general public.
• UK Network of Local Support Groups Nationwide network of local support groups run by volunteer regional coordinators where sufferers can meet face-to-face or via Zoom to share experiences and offer mutual support across bladder conditions.
• Message Board Forums Anonymous online message board forums on the BHUK website where sufferers can post questions and receive support from other bladder condition patients.
• Study Days and Webinars Zoom-based educational study days and webinars for both bladder illness sufferers and healthcare professionals, featuring expert speakers on topics including recurrent UTI, bladder pain, menopause nutrition, and ketamine-induced uropathy, with networking opportunities.
• Can't Wait Card Priority bathroom access card issued to members to support urgent toilet access in public places where bladder conditions create immediate need.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of patients on the Feel Free Programme would recommend it to a friend; 81% felt better able to deal with their symptoms; 90% rated the course Very Good or Good.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ITN ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2022BHUK and ITN Productions co-produced a news-style programme 'Bladder Health: Breaking Boundaries' launching at the Association for Continence Advice Annual Conference, 16-17 May 2022. The programme featured thought leadership interviews, patient stories, and sponsored editorial films from eight corporate partners including Astellas, Bio-Kult, ConvaTec, Essity, iMEDicare, Medac Pharma, PhenUTest Diagnostics, and Teleflex.
• BABCO / Expert Self CareminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2021BHUK contributed to the development of the award-winning CONfidence app for continence, launched at World Continence Week 2021. The app was developed in collaboration with Expert Self Care, Florence Nightingale Foundation, West of England AHSN, NHS BNSSG CCG, Sirona care & health, Bladder and Bowel UK, NHS Bristol Urological Institute, Continence Product Advisor, ERIC, and UWE Bristol.
• CUTIC (Chronic Urinary Tract Infection Campaign)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHUK collaborates with CUTIC on multiple initiatives to raise the profile of lack of treatment options for children with UTIs and chronic UTI sufferers. Together they have produced video content with ITV News and are working with NHS Digital to recommend changes to Interstitial Cystitis information pages.
• The Pelvic Floor SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHUK partnered with The Pelvic Floor Society and over 30 other organisations to produce the 'Seizing the Opportunity to Improve Patient Care: Pelvic Floor Services in 2021 and Beyond' report. The report exposed under-funding of UK pelvic floor services and was endorsed by 10 health professional societies and patient organisations. It received a High Commendation at the 2022 Communique Awards.
• Always Discreet (Procter & Gamble)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBHUK partnered with Always Discreet on a campaign to raise awareness of bladder leaks and pelvic floor exercises among UK women. Always Discreet donated to BHUK to fund its confidential advice line. BHUK's Business Director Suzanne Evans provided a quote supporting the campaign featuring Ferne McCann.
• World Federation for Incontinence and Pelvic Problems (WFIPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHUK is a partner charity of WFIPP, an umbrella organisation for charities working in bladder and pelvic health. BHUK participated in World Continence Week 2021 activities organised by WFIPP.
• Peak MedicalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Bronze sponsor on BHUK's website. Peak Medical supplies medical products for bladder and continence care.
• CliniSuppliesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Bronze sponsor and provider of the Specialist Continence Nurse advice line service. CliniSupplies supplies medical devices and continence products.
• Consilient HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Silver Sponsor on BHUK's website. Consilient Health is a pharmaceutical company.
• Aspire PharmaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Platinum Sponsor on BHUK's website. Aspire Pharma manufactures iAluRil for interstitial cystitis treatment.
• ConvaTecminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Gold Sponsor on BHUK's website. ConvaTec provides continence management products including GentleCath catheters and the Amcare home delivery service. Featured in the ITN Productions programme.
• AxonicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Gold Sponsor on BHUK's website. Axonics provides sacral neuromodulation devices for overactive bladder treatment, which received NICE approval.
• Astellas PharmaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Standard Sponsor on BHUK's website. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company focused on overactive bladder syndrome. BHUK collaborated with Astellas Europe on an OAB awareness film.
• Purple Orchid HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor on BHUK's website. Purple Orchid Health is a women's self-care company founded by Dr Karen Gardiner, who participated in EveryWoman Day discussions with BHUK.
• Syner-MedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Standard Sponsor on BHUK's website.
• iMedicareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Bronze Sponsor on BHUK's website. iMEDicare specialises in pelvic health devices for men and was featured in the ITN Productions programme.
• Sweet CuresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Bronze Sponsor on BHUK's website. Sweet Cures supplies health products.
• CliniMedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Bronze Sponsor on BHUK's website. CliniMed supplies medical devices including Tensi+.
• Manfred SauerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor on BHUK's website.
• BulkamidminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Gold Sponsor on BHUK's website alongside Axonics. Bulkamid provides urethral bulking agents for stress urinary incontinence.
• AttendsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Standard Sponsor on BHUK's website. Attends supplies continence products.
• B. BraunminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Bronze Sponsor on BHUK's website. B. Braun is a global medical and pharmaceutical device company.
• The Urology FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in the MUST campaign to establish protocols for urine specimen collection.
• MAMA AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in the MUST campaign to improve urine specimen collection protocols.
• University College London (UCL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHUK supported a research student at UCL's Sleep Education and Research Laboratory on the SCRIPT study related to individuals with chronic pain conditions. Over 1,200 responses were received. UCL scientists also led research discovering bacteria hiding in the bladder wall causing recurring UTIs.
• NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHUK monitors and promotes NICE guidelines on urinary tract infections in adults (QS90) and supported the approval of Axonics sacral neuromodulation devices. NICE also evaluated point-of-care UTI tests and documented the chronic UTI patient journey.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Simon Foundation for Continence: US-based charity focused on incontinence education, support, and destigmatisation. Direct peer in the continence patient support space with comparable mission of supporting sufferers through education and community.
• National Association for Continence (NAFC): US-based patient advocacy organisation focused on incontinence and pelvic floor disorders. Direct peer offering education, support, and community resources to a comparable patient demographic.
• The Pelvic Floor Society: UK multidisciplinary society for pelvic floor professionals. Direct peer and named BHUK partner in co-authoring the Pelvic Floor Report, addressing overlapping bladder and pelvic floor patient populations.
• ERIC (The Children's Bowel & Bladder Charity): UK charity supporting children with bowel and bladder conditions. Direct peer in the bladder charity space, also providing advice lines, resources, and HCP training, though focused on paediatric rather than adult populations.
• The Urology Foundation: UK charity focused on urology research, training, and awareness. Direct peer in the bladder/urology space and a named BHUK partner in the MUST campaign, with overlapping HCP engagement and policy advocacy missions.
• Bladder and Bowel UK: UK-based charity providing information and support for people with bladder and bowel conditions. Closest direct peer as both operate advice lines, support networks, and educational resources targeting overlapping UK patient populations with bladder conditions.
• Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA): US-based non-profit providing advocacy, education, and support for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome patients. Direct peer in the IC/BPS patient support space, addressing the same condition as one of BHUK's core focus areas.
• CUTIC (Chronic Urinary Tract Infection Campaign): UK patient advocacy campaign for chronic UTI sufferers. Direct peer and active BHUK partner, collaborating on ITV News content and NHS Digital recommendations for interstitial cystitis information pages.
• World Federation for Incontinence and Pelvic Problems (WFIPP): Global umbrella organisation for bladder and pelvic health charities. BHUK is a partner charity of WFIPP, making it a direct peer in the international continence charity federation space, coordinating World Continence Week activities.

Emerging players

• Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP): UK professional network of physiotherapists specialising in pelvic health. Emerging player in the pelvic floor therapy space that overlaps with BHUK's pelvic floor education and continence support work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BladderHealthUK
• Facebookfacebook.com/BladderHealthUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bladder-health-uk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bladder Health UK