The UK Living Kidney Donation Buddy Support Service allows anyone interested in learning more about living kidney donation – whether they are considering donating themselves, or know someone else thinking about it – to speak with someone with lived experience.
Would you like to connect with someone who has experienced the kidney donation process?
We know that support can be essential for everyone involved in kidney donation, including the donor and their family and friends, before and after the donation. This service offers a secure and safe place for open conversations with someone who understands that journey.
The service is provided through an online platform where you can set up a profile for yourself and manage your own appointments.
You can then select a buddy of your choice based on age, location, ethnicity, gender and religious beliefs.
Once the appointment is confirmed, the session will take place using Zoom. This service is not for in person meetings or discussions over the phone. All communication will be done through the online platform.
Anyone in the UK who is thinking about living kidney donation – or supporting someone who is – can request a buddy. Whether you’re just starting to explore the idea of living kidney donation, you’re further along in the process, or even if you know someone else going through the process and want to speak to someone, having someone to talk to can make a big difference.
This service is free and open to all. You don’t need a referral, and there’s no obligation to commit to donation just because you’ve requested a buddy. It’s simply a chance to have honest, informal conversations with someone who’s been there.
Your buddy is someone with personal experience of living kidney donation – either as a kidney donor, or close to someone who has donated a kidney. They understand the emotional highs and lows, the practical challenges, and the kinds of questions you may be asking yourself. Buddies offer a listening ear, share their stories, and provide reassurance from a place of real-life insight.
It’s important to know that buddies are not medical professionals. They can’t give clinical advice or opinions about your individual health. Instead, their role is to support you, share what they’ve learned from their own experience, and help you feel less alone as you navigate your own path.
All buddies have valuable lived experience of living kidney donation – whether they have donated themselves, or are close to someone who has. However, they cannot provide medical advice. For medical advice or information, you should contact a living kidney donor coordinator.
All buddies have undergone a vetting process, including a basic criminal record check, are over the age of 18, and live in the UK. They have also received training to support individuals through the living kidney donation journey.
To request a buddy, please fill out this form and we will be in touch to discuss next steps.
If you have not received a reply within three working days, please check your spam or junk mail folder and add enquiries@donateakidney.co.uk to your Address Book or Safe Sender List. We make every effort to ensure that these emails are delivered.
