Membership Benefits
As a member of the COB Foundation you will receive an enormous amount of support and practical help. If you so wish, you can be put in touch with other members who are local to you, either to meet face-to-face or by telephone. Listed below are just a few of the benefits of being a member.
Exclusive Free members’ magazine
A topical and informative colour magazine is sent free to all members, 3 times a year. Features include medical articles by leading urologists and other healthcare professionals, news of local meetings, members’ experiences and self-help ideas, life story media features, the latest research information, fundraising ……and much more. Members are encouraged to write to us about their own experiences and can also pose questions to our medical experts and advisors.
Membership and Can't Wait Card
All members will receive a dual membership and can't wait card that can be used in crowded public toilets, shops, theatres etc. This is a great reassurance to many members who suffer from urgency, as this can be overwhelming and sometimes painful.
Local Co-ordinators and Phone-Pals Network
We have a nationwide network of support groups and telephone-help to enable you to share information with other sufferers to help alleviate isolation.
Nutrition Helpline
Our specialist nutrition telephone helpline service, is an individual way of offering confidential help and support on the subjects of nutrition, diet, detection of trigger foods, plus advice on vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements.
Members Only Chat Room
Live “on line” chats with other members and our moderator. Chats are held every 3 months.
Free Handbooks
Members receive a free handbook giving practical self-help and comprehensive information appertaining to their condition.
Library Service
For a very small cost, informative books and DVDs on bladder illness and continence issues can be borrowed.
Resources and Fact Sheets
We have a wide range of in-depth fact sheets and transcripts plus a comprehensive resource list which enables members to select the information needed.
Hospital Cards
These cards are available for members who are being admitted into hospital. It explains what your bladder condition is, how you may need to frequently go to the toilet and what should be done if you are confined to bed.
Can’t Wait Cards - available in foreign languages
For those travelling abroad, additional cards may be obtained in the following languages: French, German, Danish, Swedish, Japanese, Spanish, Dutch and Italian.
The IC Friendly Recipe Book & Diet Sheet
The IC Friendly Cook Book was produced by the Charity, compiled from recipes tried and tested by sufferers of interstitial cystitis. It contains over 80 IC-friendly recipes and is issued free to members. This useful diet sheets shows the suggested good and bad foods to aid an IC diet.
Advice Line: 0121 702 0820
"We give time to all those who need information and advice."
