What is peer support?
Kidney Care UK's peer support service offers people living with kidney disease the chance to be supported by someone who has lived experience of kidney disease and who knows what they are going through. We also support family members, carers and donors.
How can I receive peer support?
To refer yourself to peer support, call our support line on 0808 801 00 00 (open Monday to Friday) or send us an email at [email protected]. The referral process and is simple and our team will help you to find the right type of volunteer to get the kind of support you need.
All of our peer support sessions take place virtually or over the phone, depending on what is most comfortable for you.
My phone call with the peer supporter was very good, it was nice to get a feeling of balance, of not feeling it's "the end of the world". Hearing their positive outlook really helped me to find mine.
Where is the peer support service available?
We are currently partnered with the London Kidney Network and seven NHS trusts in London, helping to build peer support into an integral part of care. We currently work with these Trusts:
- Barts
- Kings College
- Guy's and St Thomas'
- Epsom and St Helier
- Royal Free
- St George's
- Imperial
What kind of issues can I receive support for?
Whether you have questions about kidney disease, aren't sure what to expect from treatment, or just want to talk with somebody who has been there, our peer support can help. Below are a some examples of common issues we receive referrals about:
- Peritoneal dialysis
- Haemodialysis
- Home haemodialysis
- Dealing with CKD and diabetes
- Preparing to give or receive a transplant
- Post-transplant life
- Receiving a kidney from a living donor
- Receiving a kidney from a deceased donor
- Caring for someone with CKD
How do I become a peer support volunteer?
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, give us a call on 0808 801 00 00 (Monday to Friday) or send us an email at [email protected]. Our team will let you know if we are currently looking for volunteers or if the application process is paused.
To volunteer you must be 18 years or older. Please be aware that our onboarding process includes:
- Training specific to peer support
- Character reference checks
- ID check
- Regular refresher training for the role