Who we are and what we do

Kidney Care UK is the UK's leading kidney patient support charity. Established in 1975 as the British Kidney Patient Association, we have been at the forefront of supporting people affected by kidney disease for nearly 50 years.

Our vision is that no one should face chronic kidney disease alone.

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone affected by kidney disease.

Every year we offer practical advice, emotional support and financial grants and assistance to thousands of kidney patients and those affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the UK

CKD is a common, long term and irreversible condition affecting up to 7.2m million people or around 1 in 10 of the adult population in the UK. Numbers are expected to rise significantly over the next decade, driven by the increase in type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, which can all lead to an increased risk of CKD.

A significant proportion of patients with CKD (around 3.5 million) develop advanced CKD and around 30,000 of these patients go on to develop kidney failure.

Kidney Care UK exists to ensure no one has to face CKD alone

Kidney Care UK has always and will always stand with those with any stage of CKD and anyone affected by the condition.

We know living with kidney disease can be lonely. Our team of compassionate, understanding experts work across the UK alongside patients' multi-disciplinary clinical teams .

We are there for kidney patients, with a compassionate heart and a knowledgeable ear. We help them navigate the system and make life easier. Whatever the problem, issue or question, no matter how big or small, we provide expert support and help.

We produce best-in-class patient information for patients and healthcare professionals and have been awarded PIF Tick Accreditation, the UK’s quality mark for print and online health and care information. Our resources are evidence-based, jargon-free, up-to-date and produced to the best possible standard.