NKFWebinarHighlights
Sofarthisyear,wehavedelivered fiveinformativewebinarsfocusedon supportingpeoplelivingwithkidney disease
1.Potentialorgansfortransplantation
2.LivingwellwithIgANephropathy
3 FootCarewithCKD
4.Caringforyourdialysisaccesslinewhile goingaboutyourdaytodaylife
5.MemorylossandfoggyheadswithCKD
OurfirstwebinarexploredtheuseofpotentialorgansfortransplantationintheUK,highlighting effortstoincreaseorganutilisationratesandreducevariationbetweentransplantcentres. Discussionsalsofocusedontheinformationkidneypatientsneedtobetterunderstandorgan utilisationandtransplantationpathways.
Thesecondwebinar,LivingWellwithIgANephropathy,providedinsightintothecondition, includingsymptoms,daytodaymanagement,andthechallengespeoplemayfacefollowing diagnosis Thesessionalsoaddressedmentalhealthandwellbeing,withpracticalcoping strategiesalongsidevaluablepatientandcaregiverperspectives.
Ourthirdwebinarfocusedonfootcareandchronickidneydisease(CKD),coveringessential topicssuchasfoothygiene,prevention,andongoingmanagement.Italsohighlightedthe importanceofpatienteducation,shareddecision-making,personalisedcare,andhowpatients canworkalongsidehealthcareprofessionalstosupportbestpracticepathways.
Thefourthwebinar,caringforyourdialysisaccesslinewhilegoingaboutyourdaytodaylife coveredessentialtipsonkeepingyourdialysisaccesslinecleanandsafe,reducingtheriskof infection,andhandlingeverydaysituationssuchaswashing,dressing,travellingandstaying active.
Andourfifthwebinarlookedattheeffectsofdialysisandkidneydiseaseingeneralonmemory lossandfoggyheads.
Exploreourupcomingwebinarsandrecordingsofallourpreviouswebinarshere: www.kidney.org.uk/Event/nkf-webinar-series
UKKidneyWeek
AndreaBrown,NKFChiefExecutive,PeteRevell,NKFHeadofMarketingandFundraising,Lucy Vasiliou,NKFPolicyandPublicAffairsManagerandChrisTalbot,NKFMembershipDevelopment Lead,visitedHarrogateinMarch2026,forUKKidneyWeek.
Forthreedays,theNKFwereonhandtoshowcaseallofourinformationleafletsavailableto renalhealthcareprofessionals.Itwasagreatweekmeetingfamiliarandnewfacesintherenal worldandexploringthemanyotherareasoftheconference,includingthespeakersessionsand presentations.
WorldKidneyDay
WorldKidneyDaywascelebratedbytheNKFalongsidet restoftheKidneyCharitiesTogetherGrouptohelpraise awarenessofkidneyhealth clinicians,hospitalstaff,Kidn PatientAssociations(KPAs)andsupportersallplayeda highlightingtheimportanceofkidneyhealthandencou conversationsaboutkidneydisease.
Thecampaignhelpedchallengecommonmyths,increa kidneydiseasefurtherintothespotlight.Awarenessactivitiestookplaceinavarietyof settings,includingkidneyunits,supermarkets,andcommunityspaces,helpingtoreach peopleacrossthecountry.www.worldkidneyday.co.uk
7MillionLivesatRiskWhat’sthePlan?Update
OurjointcampaignforaNationalKidneyStrategy–a‘KidneyDiseaseModernService Framework’continuestogathermomentum.AlongsideKidneyResearchUK,KidneyCareUK,PKD andtheUKKA,we'recallingontheGovernmenttocommittoanationalkidneystrategythat improvescareandsupportforeveryoneaffectedbykidneydisease.We'realsolisteningto peopleacrossthekidneycommunitytohelpshapewhatthatstrategyshouldinclude Overthe comingmonths,we'llbelaunchingapatientengagementsurveyandhostingfurtherpatient listeningeventstoensurelivedexperienceisattheheartofourcampaign.Whilstdeveloping thisnewslettertheCardiovasculardisease(CVD)MSFhasbeenpublished;wearecurrently reviewingthistoseehowthiswillimpactkidneypatientsandwillsharefurtherupdatesinfuture communications YoucansupportourworkbycontactingyourMPandsharingyourexperience ofkidneydisease.
Visitourwebsitewww.kidney.org.uk/7-million-lives-at-risk-whats-the-plan orcontactlucy@kidney.org.uktofindouthowtogetinvolved.
DialysisUnitVisitswith Parliamentarians
Aspartofourcontinuedengagement withparliamentarians,wewereable toorganiseavisitwithShadowHealth Minister,DrCarolineJohnsonMP (SleafordandNorthHykeham),to LincolnRenalUnitandMartinVickers MP(BriggandImmingham)totheGrimsbydialysisunittohearfirsthandaboutpatients’ experiencesofdialysisandrenalcare
Thevisitsprovidedanopportunitytoraiseawarenessofthechallengesfacedbypeopleliving withkidneydiseaseandtohighlightthesupportavailablethroughtheNationalKidney Federation.
Duringthevisits,DrJohnsonandMrVickersspokewithpatientsreceivingdialysis,listeningto theirpersonalexperiencesandtheday-to-dayrealitiesoflivingwithkidneydisease.Patients describedthephysicalandemotionalimpactoftreatment,thechallengesofbalancingdialysis withworkandfamilylife,significanttransportissues,andtheimportanceofservicesthat recogniseandrespondtoindividualneeds
Discussionsalsohighlightedtheimportanceofpatientchoiceindialysistreatment,including accesstohome-basedtherapies,whichcanhelpimprovequalityoflifeandprovidegreater independenceformanypatients.
All-PartyParliamentary KidneyGroupupdate
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ThegrouprecentlymettoreviewprogressonitsHomeDialysisManifesto,bringingtogether parliamentarians,NHSEngland,clinicians,RegionalKidneyNetworks,kidneycharitiesandpeople livingwithkidneydisease ThemeetingshowcasedencouragingprogressacrossEngland, includingqualityimprovementprogrammes,mentoringbetweenrenalunitsandnewregional planstoincreaseaccesstohomedialysis.Discussionsalsohighlightedtheimportanceof patienteducation,peersupportandshareddecision-making,alongsidetheneedforthe forthcomingrenalservicespecificationandappropriatefundingtohelpmakehomedialysisa realisticoptionformorepatients TheNKFwillcontinuetoworkwithpartnerstoensureevery patienthastheinformation,supportandopportunitytochoosethetreatmentthatisrightfor them.
KPADAY2026
KidneyPatientAssociations(KPAs)fromacrosstheUKcametogetherforKPADay2026atthe LeonardoRoyalHotel,Birmingham,foradayoflearning,networkingandcelebratingthe incredibleworkoflocalkidneycommunities.
ThedaybeganwiththeNKF'sAGMandCouncilMeeting,wheremembersreceivedupdateson theFederation'sworkandfutureplans.
DelegatesalsowelcomedanewExecutiveCommittee,withCarylBryanttakingontheroleof ChairandDavidCoylebecomingthenewNKFPresident.
AttendeesheardinspiringpresentationsfromProfessorSmeetaSinha,NationalClinicalDirector forRenalMedicine(NHSEngland),andRonCullen,CEOoftheUKKidneyAssociation,whoshared thelatestdevelopmentsinkidneycareandthewiderrenallandscape.
TheafternoonfeaturedpresentationsfromthreeKPAs,showcasingsuccessfulprojects,sharing bestpracticeandhighlightingtheimportanceofstronglocalpartnershipsandpatient involvement
ThedayconcludedwiththeinauguralKPAAwards,recognisingtheoutstandingcommitmentof volunteersandlocalassociations.
Congratulationstothisyear'sawardwinners:
KPAMemberoftheYear:LouisToussaint(RoyalFreeHospitalKPA)
KPAChairoftheYear:ChrisRolfe(ExeterandDistrictKPA)
KPAoftheYear:BradfordKPA
LifetimeAchievementAward:JudithSidaway(DudleyKPA),inrecognitionof50yearsof dedicatedservice
FindyourlocalKidneyPatientAssociation
TheNKFsupportsover50KidneyPatientAssociationsacrosstheUK,helpinglocalgroups connect,shareideasandensurethevoicesofkidneypatientsareheardnationally.
Ifyou'dliketofindoutmoreaboutyourlocalKPAorareinterestedingettinginvolved,please contactChrisTalbot,MembershipDevelopmentLead,atchris@kidney.org.ukorcall 07908845713.
NKFHELPLINEACTIVITY UPDATE
TheNKFHelplinehasexperiencedaparticularlybusyandproductivefirstsixmonthsoftheyear, withmorethan1,500contactsreceivedfrompatients,carers,renalunits,andGPsurgeries This reflectsthegrowingdemandforaccessible,reliableinformationandsupportforthoseaffected bykidneydisease.
Wecontinuetoprovideavitalservicebyofferingone-to-onesupportviatelephone,ensuring thatpatientsandtheirfamilieshavetheopportunitytodiscusstheirconcerns,askquestions, andreceiveguidancethroughouttheirkidneydiseasejourney.Inadditiontothese conversations,wesupplytailoredinformationresourcestohelpindividualsbetterunderstand andmanagetheircondition.
Resourcedistributionhasremainedakeypartofourwork Sofarthisyear,wehaveprovided over37,000leafletstorenalhospitalsandGPsurgeries,helpingtoensurethataccurateandup todateinformationisreadilyavailableatthepointofcare.Alongsidethis,wehavedelivered 1,200comprehensiveinformationpackstorenalunits,furthersupportingpatienteducation andawareness.
OurPeerSupportServicecontinuestogofromstrengthtostrength.Inthefirsthalfoftheyear, wehavesupported56patientsthroughthisservice.Thesupportofferedhascoveredawide rangeofexperiences,includinglivingwithkidneydisease,dialysis,transplantation,andliving donation.Thispeerledapproachprovidesinvaluableemotionalsupportandshared understanding,helpingpatientsfeellessisolatedandmoreempowered
Patientcardsdistributedsofarin2026:
Dialysiscards=65
Transplantcards=150
PatientsupportPacks(books)=1670
LindaPickeringRetires
InMay,theNKFHelplinemarkedtheretirementofLindaPickering aftermanyyearsofdedicatedservicesupportingkidneypatients andtheirfamilies Linda’scommitment,compassion,andprofessionalism havemadeaimpactoneveryonesheworkedwithandsupported.
Stephen,whoworkedalongsideLindaontheHelplineforseveralyears,sharedhisthoughts: "MytimeworkingwithLindawasanabsolutepleasure.Shewassopassionateaboutsupporting patientsandtheirfamilies,andherdedicationtoeveryenquirythatcamethroughtheHelpline wasinspiring.Shewasnotonlyafantasticcolleaguebutalsoagreatfriend."
Linda’scontributionwillbegreatlymissed,andwethankherforthedifferenceshehasmadeto somanylives.
FionaCadneyhasjoinedasthenewHelplineAdvisor
Asakidneypatientforover30years,withpersonalexperienceof peritonealdialysis,haemodialysis,andtransplantation,Ihaveadeep understandingofthechallengesfacedbypeoplelivingwithkidney disease.
Beingabletogivesomethingbackandsupportfellowkidneypatientsisincrediblymeaningful OneofthechallengesIanticipateinthisroleismanagingemotionallydifficultphonecalls,butI amcommittedtoapproachingtheseconversationswithempathy,patience,and professionalism.”
LisaParkinhasjoinedasOfficeManager “IamthrilledtohavejoinedanincredibleteamattheNational KidneyFederation.It’sasectorfacingsomesignificantchallenges–fromtherisingprevalenceofchronickidneydiseasetoongoingorgan donationshortagestostarkhealthinequalities.I’mbringingmyexperience inbusinesssupportrolesandanNHSbackgroundtomakeameaningfulimpact Iamlooking forwardtocontributingtoworkthatmakesarealdifferencetopatients andcommunities.”
SuzanneRutter,newNKFFundraiser
We’realsodelightedtowelcomeournewfundraiser,SuzanneRutter, whohasjoinedtheteamwithfreshideas,newenergyandapassion forbringingpeopletogethertosupportourwork.Suzanneisalreadyhelpin todevelopanexcitingprogrammeoffundraisingopportunities,withlotsofgreateventsand activitiesplanned.
Thereisplentyhappeningbehindthescenesaswelookatnewwaystoraisevitalfunds,from challengesandeventstocommunityfundraising,we’reexcitedaboutwhat’saheadinthenext sixmonths.
WelaunchedanewlyrevampedPatientSupportPackforpeopleliving withkidneydiseasewhowantfurtherinformationabouttheir treatmentoptions.
Thebookletprovidesguidanceonkidneydisease,helpingpatients betterunderstandthetreatmentsavailableandsupportingthem throughouttheirkidneycarejourney.
ThesupportpackisavailableviatheNKFwebsitehere: www.kidney.org.uk/helpline-leaflets
Toorderafreeprintedcopy,pleasecontactthe NKFHelplineteamon08001690936oremail helpline@kidney.org.uk.
NEWINDEPENDENT ANALYSISDEMONSTRATES THEIMPACTOFTHENKFPEER SUPPORTSERVICE
Wearepleasedtosharethefindingsof anindependentanalysisoftheNational KidneyFederation'sPeerSupportService, coveringreferralsbetween2021to2026.
Conductedbyindependentstatistician DianaAllen,thereportdemonstrates howpeersupportismakinga meaningfuldifferencetopeopleaffected bykidneydiseasewhileprovidingaccess totrainedvolunteerswithlived experienceviatheNKFHelpline.
Keyfindingsinclude:
-2025wastheservice'sbusiestyearonrecord.
-Volunteerssupportpeopleateverystageofthekidneyjourney.
-Mediansetuptime:oneday;87%ofreferralsresultedincompletedsupport.
-Peersupporthasbeenshowntoreduceanxietyandboostedconfidenceintreatment decisions.
-Peersupporthasbeenproventobeavitalpartofkidneycare,ensuringnoonefaceskidney diseasealone.
Readtheanalysisreporthere: www.kidney.org.uk/why-the-nkf-peer-support-service-is-working
Whythismatters
BehindeverycallorreferraltotheNKFPeerSupportServiceissomeoneadjustingtoadiagnosis, preparingfordialysis,consideringtransplantationorsupportingalovedonethroughkidney disease.Theanalysisshowsthattimelyconversationswithsomeonewhohaslivedthrough similarexperiencescanprovidereassurance,practicalunderstandingandemotionalsupport alongsideclinicalcare.
TolearnmoreabouttheNKFPeerSupportServicevisit: www.kidney.org.uk/peer-support
InterestedinbecomingaPeerSupporter?RegisteryourinterestbycallingtheNKFHelplineon 08001690936oremailhelpline@kidney.org.uk
BestFootForward ChallengeRaisesan Amazing£11,510!
AhugethankyoutoeveryonewhotookpartinourBestFootForwardChallengeandhelped raiseanincredible£11,510!
Whetheryouwalked,ran,stepped,orsupportedthechallengeinanotherway,youreffortshave madearealdifference.Everysteptakenandeverypoundraisedwillhelpuscontinueourwork supportingpeopleaffectedbykidneydisease.
Thechallengebroughttogetherouramazingcommunity,withparticipantspushingthemselves togetactivewhilefundraisingforacausethatmatterstosomany.Weareincrediblygrateful fortheenthusiasm,commitment,andgenerosityshownbyeveryoneinvolved
Aspecialthankyougoestoallourfundraisers,supporters,families,friends,andeveryonewho donated Together,wehavetakenahugestepforward—andwecouldn’thavedoneitwithout you.
Lookoutforournextbigchallengecomingsoon.
PrioritiesfortheNextSix Months
Overthenextsixmonths,ourstrategicfocuswillremaincentredonearlyintervention,patient support,education,andinfluencingpolicytoensurekidneydiseasereceivestherecognitionand attentionitdeserves.
Akeyareaoffocuswillbestrengtheningourworkwithinprimarycare Wewillcontinueto supportGeneralPractitioners(GPs)andprimarycareteamsinidentifyingandmanaging patientswithearlystageChronicKidneyDisease(CKD).Earlydiagnosisandtimelyintervention areessentialinslowingdiseaseprogression,improvingpatientoutcomes,andreducingthe burdenonsecondarycareservices.Byprovidinginformation,resources,andpracticalsupport, weaimtohelphealthcareprofessionalsrecogniseCKDatanearlierstageandensurepatients receiveappropriateadviceandcare.
ThecharityisalsopreparingtolaunchitsCommunityAmbassadorProgrammeacrosstheUK. Thisexcitinginitiativewillempowervolunteerswithlivedexperienceofkidneydiseasetoraise awarenesswithintheirlocalcommunities,providepeerencouragement,andrepresentthe charityateventsandactivities.Communityambassadorswillplayavitalroleinincreasing understandingofkidneyhealth,promotingearlydiagnosis,andhelpingmorepeopleaccessthe supportavailablethroughthecharity.
OurPeerSupportServicewillcontinuetoexpandasdemandgrows Weknowthatspeakingwith someonewhohassharedsimilarexperiencescanmakeasignificantdifferencetopatientsand theirfamilies.Overthecomingmonths,wewillfocusonrecruitingandtrainingadditionalpeer supporterswhileincreasingawarenessoftheserviceamonghealthcareprofessionalsand patients.Bybroadeningthereachofthisprogramme,wehopetoensurethatmorepeople affectedbykidneydiseasecanaccessemotionalsupportandpracticalguidancewhenthey needitmost.
Thecharity'sHelplineremainsanessentialsourceofinformationandreassuranceforkidney patients,carers,andfamilies.Asdemandcontinuestoincrease,wewillfurtherdevelopthe servicewhileexpandingourlibraryofpatientinformationleaflets Theseresourcesprovide accessible,reliableguidanceonawiderangeofkidneyrelatedtopicsandwillcontinuetobe updatedtoreflectcurrentbestpracticeandtheevolvingneedsofourcommunity.
Ourprogrammeofbi-monthlyeducationalwebinarshasbecomeincreasinglypopular.Building onthissuccess,wearealreadyschedulingwebinarsthroughout2027 Thesesessionswill continuetoprovidevaluableopportunitiesforeducation,discussion,andpatientengagement.
Wewillcontinuetocollaboratecloselywithotherkidneycharitiestostrengthenourcollective voiceandadvocateforgreaterrecognitionofkidneydiseaseatanationallevel.Working together,weaimtoencouragetheGovernmenttoprioritisekidneydiseasewithinhealthcare policyandimproveoutcomesforpatients.WewillalsomaintainourengagementwithMembers ofParliamentandMembersoftheHouseofLordsthroughtheAll-PartyParliamentaryKidney Group,ensuringthattheexperiencesandneedsofkidneypatientsremainfirmlyonthepolitical agenda.
HOWYOURDONATIONHELPS
Yourdonationstrulyhelptochangepeople’slives
Allthedonationsthatwereceiveenablesustosupportkidneypatientsandtheir lovedones,campaignforimprovedcare,earlydiagnosis,andprovidetrusted information,guidanceandhope.
You'll get a 10% off voucher to spend on our online shop. Plus, exclusive member discount days.
Be the first to know about upcoming sales, events, and more...
You'll receive exclusive invites to our NKF special events. Plus, exclusive discounted rates to our Annual NKF Event.
Our Helpline is a lifeline -Help us answer more calls for support.
Your knowledge is power - Help us to empower patients and be in control of their health choices.
Let’s shape futures together. Help us to raise big kidney challenges and voice real solutions in Parliament.
Together we’re stronger. Help us recognise and support local voices.
Together, we can bring hope and support to kidney patients and their families across the UK. Join now https://bit.ly/nkfmembership
STORIESFROMPEOPLEJUST LIKEYOU...
Inthisspace,you'llfindreallifestoriesfrompeoplewhohavebeenaffectedbykidney disease patients,donors,familymembers,andcarers.Bysharingthesepersonalstories, weaimtoraiseawareness,buildunderstanding,andinspireothersgoingthroughsimilar experiences.Whetheryou'reatthestartofyourjourneyorsupportingsomeoneyoulove, thesevoicesareheretoremindyouthatyouarenotalone
Read stories: www.kidney.org.uk/Blogs/your-stories
