Need support?
Finding people who understand how kidney disease impacts you is important.
Ask the kidney team at the centre overseeing your partner’s care about support they can provide for you. Some kidney centres have counselling, social workers or other services available.
“One of the things that was really helpful to me was attending a get-together hosted by our pre-dialysis team to provide information for newly diagnosed patients. . . The opportunity to actually speak to a partner (carer) was very useful . . . I had the same initial concerns that they had had, and they were generous in sharing their stories which I found reassuring.” ~Margaret
Helpful resources
Information and helpline
This information pack is specifically for carers in the UK. It comes from the National Kidney Federation (NKF) which provides peer support for those looking to do dialysis at home and provides valuable information about kidney disease:
They also offer help and support. You can call, email or chat with their support team:
NKF Helpline: 0800 169 09 36
Open from Monday – Thursday 08:30 am – 5:00 pm and Friday 08:30 am – 12:30 pm
Email: helpline@kidney.org.uk
Free counselling
Kidney Care UK (KCUK) offers free counselling and support, including for carers. You will have an initial consultation and up to six 50-minute sessions. Book an initial consultation by calling them or sending an email, follow this link for their contact details and more information:
Support for parents
KDARS
K.D.A.R.S for Kids supports families with babies, toddlers and young children living with chronic kidney disease and renal issues.
Email: kdars4kids@hotmail.com
infoKID
infoKID is an online information resource for parents and carers about kidney conditions in infants, children and young people. Their website provides information that covers a range of conditions, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and management.
