Welcome to the Kidney Information Network (KIN)
KIN is a network of local Facebook groups and resources to support people with chronic kidney disease and their carers. It’s run by patients, for patients.
What KIN is
KIN (Kidney Information Network) is an award-winning peer support network and information source. KIN helps you deal with the emotional and health side of chronic kidney disease.
Our website links local KIN Facebook groups. It also has kidney health information to support local KIN communities across the United Kingdom. You can get the information you want, whenever you want it. KIN has a mix of patients, carers, and clinicians in each community.
We provide:
- Local Facebook groups to help connect patients in the same service
- Opportunities to ask questions you might be uncomfortable asking your doctor
- Clinician Q&As on the website and in the Facebook groups
- Local information, advice, and guidance
- Patient stories (blogs) that share tips and experiences with each other
- Kidney health information to help with decision-making
- Kidney-friendly recipes
- Carer support
Find your local KIN community
Local KIN communities offer support from people nearby who are also experiencing life with chronic kidney disease. They provide crucial social support and local information, details about nearby dialysis units, clinicians, and Facebook groups.
KIN is growing across the UK.
Click here to find out which cities and regions we have a KIN in and use our interactive map.
Support for family and friends
Get the information and support you need when caring for someone with kidney disease.
What members tell us about KIN
“My work within GMKIN led directly to me gaining paid employment for the first time in over 10 years. Within GMKIN I also observed other patients becoming energised and more engaged with the renal community. That sense of community helped those patients, many of whom were lonely and isolated, to discover a purpose in life just as I had done.”
“Traditional peer support groups meeting face to face are hard to sustain. A diagnosis of CKD can leave people and families feeling isolated. Social media can provide a platform to share experience, knowledge and offer support. Having information from someone that has lived the experience is more powerful than coming from a nurse or doctor.”
“It makes me feel visible and empowered as a carer. With information available quickly and in one place for those that need it.”
Our Stories
KIN Resources
Our resources page brings together many kidney health resources to help you manage. Everyone is different in terms of their needs, and people want to know about different aspects of chronic kidney disease at different times. KIN provides the information you want whenever you need it.
Topics include diet, dialysis, transplants, mental health, and charities to help you.
KIN’s History
The Kidney Information Network (KIN) brings together patients with chronic kidney disease, families, carers, and clinicians. It’s supported by a team of University of Salford researchers who study social media and long term conditions.
KIN originated as the Greater Manchester Kidney Information Network (GMKIN) in 2013. It was set up by Professor Paula Ormandy, Dr. Cristina Vasilica and Rob Finnigan. The team has now expanded to include patients as micro-sites moderators and a core KIN team who keep the project going.
KIN has been awarded Best Tech For Good Project at the Big Chip Awards and also won the Innovation Champion award for best use of social media at the NHS Health Education England Adult Learners’ Week.