READ SHAEMUS’ UPDATE ON PAGES 9 & 10
Welcome to the National Kidney Federation’s Annual Impact Report
The past year has been another progressive and impactful one for the National Kidney Federation (NKF), with significant developments across patient support, awareness and partnership growth, all of which are highlighted throughout this annual impact report.
In 2025, we continued to expand our patient support services to ensure that no one is facing kidney disease alone. Our National Helpline and Peer Support Service has offered guidance, lived experience and reassurance to more patients and families than ever before. We were delighted to secure £24,019 from the National Lottery and the Health Lottery Foundation, which has provided a helpful contribution to sustaining and further developing these vital services.
Our NKF webinar series has now entered its fourth year with six webinars delivered annually. These sessions remain important for patients and carers to hear directly from healthcare professionals and stay informed on key topics, guidance and support.
Accessibility has also been a priority of ours this year. In collaboration with NHS Leeds Teaching Hospitals, we launched a new series of Easy Read leaflets, ensuring that clear and inclusive information is available to those who need it most.
Raising awareness on a national scale continues to be central in our mission. We have actively supported and engaged with key campaigns and events including: World Kidney Day, UK Kidney Week, the British Transplant Games and Organ Donation Week. Each of these events is an opportunity to amplify patient voices and promote the importance of kidney health, early diagnosis and organ donation.
We were pleased to host our NKF Annual Event and KPA Day networking events, both of which opened doors to our supporters and us to collaborate, learn and reconnect with one another.
Our engagement with the DAYLife programme and the Knowledge Hub continues to grow; we strongly support informed decision making and empowering patients to consider home therapies.
We were delighted to welcome new Kidney Patient Association (KPA) members: Wrexham Maelor, St George’s and Lancashire & South Cumbria KPA as members of the NKF.
I remain grateful to our 9 members of staff, whose hard work ensures that we do our utmost to support thousands of patients each year and work collaboratively to strengthen our services, partnerships and impact nationwide. Our executive committee also continues to guide the charity with commitment and strategic focus.
We have been working hard to influence policy and secure the highest standards of care, particularly in areas such as early diagnosis, access to treatment and support for home dialysis and transplant services.
Finally, I’d like to say thank you to all of our industry partners, trust funders, individual supporters and NKF members. Your generosity and belief in our mission to help those affected by kidney disease make all of this possible.
If you can support our work with a donation, regardless of the amount, please know it will be used effectively for the benefit of those affected by kidney disease, whether that be a patient or a family member. You can also become an NKF Member for as little as £3 per month and join our growing community, helping us to continue providing vital support, advocacy, and information across the UK.
Best wishes
Andrea Brown NKF Chief Executive
Donations can be made via: www.kidney.org.uk/donate/ donate/5/credit-card
To become a member, visit: www.kidney.org.uk/member
Making an Impact in 2025
In 2025, we strengthened our commitment to improving the lives of people living with kidney disease. Throughout the year, we concentrated on broadening our patient support services, raising public awareness, advocating for policy progress, and growing our fundraising initiatives.
Support Services
We increased the reach of our Helpline and Peer Support services, connecting with more patients and families.
In 2025, we celebrated several key achievements
We continued the NKF Webinar series, delivering six webinars annually, each session addressing a key aspect of kidney health, treatment or self-management. The webinars help to empower attendees to make informed decisions about their care and daily management of kidney health.
We were awarded £19,019 in National Lottery funding to support the expansion of the NKF Peer Support Service.
We received a £5,000 grant following a public vote, awarded by the Health Lottery Foundation to help support with our Helpline services.
We collaborated with NHS Leeds Teaching Hospitals to launch a series of Easy Read information leaflets designed specifically for kidney patients. Helping patients to better understand their condition and make informed decisions about their care.
Increased Awareness
Our campaigns and events connected with people nationwide, raising awareness about kidney health and the importance of organ donation. Key highlights included:
KPA Day: We hosted our annual networking event and breakout sessions for Kidney Patient Associations to provide best practices and guidance.
World Kidney Day: We ran an annual UK-wide campaign in collaboration with the Kidney Charities Together Group, raising awareness and challenging the myths about kidney disease.
UK Kidney Week and Association of Nephrology Nurses (ANNUK): At both events, we shared information about the NKF and participated in educational sessions and activities.
British Transplant Games: At the Games, we showcased our services and championed the cause of organ donation.
Sheffield Kidney Institute Open Evenings: Our Helpline Advisers were present at Sheffield’s Kidney Institute Open Evenings.
Yorkshire and Humber Networks Educational Event: We funded an event in March for advanced kidney care nurses in the Yorkshire and Humber region.
Organ Donation Week: We raised awareness of organ donation, encouraging individuals to register and share information about the organ donor register within their networks.
DAYLife work: We continued our work with the DAYLife programme and knowledge hub.
NKF Annual Event: We once again hosted our flagship gathering for kidney patients, families, carers, and healthcare professionals to connect and hear from both patient and expert speakers.
Genetic Kidney Disease in South Asian Communities: We worked on a successful campaign partnership ‘No Stone Unturned’ between Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, the NKF, South Asian Health Action and Intent Health, which won the Creative Media Award at the Asian Media Awards. Our shared goal was to tackle a serious health inequity by raising awareness of genetic kidney disease, specifically Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1 (PH1) within the South Asian Community.
Wrexham Maelor KPA became a member of the NKF in February 2025, St George’s KPA in August 2025, and Lancashire and South Cumbria KPA in September 2025.
Making an Impact in 2025
Policy Influence
Our policy and public affairs work focused on strengthening stakeholder relationships in England and Scotland. The All-Party Parliamentary Kidney Group (APPKG) was re-established following the general election, and priorities were confirmed as early detection, organ donation and transplantation and home dialysis. Engagement included outreach to MPs and MSPs, meetings with ministers, participation in key coalitions, and involvement in national consultations. The NKF also established a Kidney Patient Association Policy Working Group to embed patient perspectives in decision-making and ensure that the patient voice is represented nationally.
We played an active role in campaigning, including the 7 Million Lives at Risk campaign calling for a national kidney disease strategy, and continue efforts to increase home dialysis uptake, with work continuing on the Manifesto. In Scotland, the NKF contributed to influencing the inclusion of kidney disease in the Long Term Conditions Framework. This work will continue into 2026.
Fundraising Activities
The generosity of our supporters has been at the heart of our fundraising success. People joined our much loved annual challenge, The Best Foot Forward Challenge sponsored walk, and many went further by creating their own fundraising events in support of the NKF. Each effort has been vital in helping drive our mission forward.
2025 was a year of growth and achievement, and we have worked hard thanks to our supporters.
We also launched our Become a Member campaign, inviting more people to join the NKF community by donating £3 a month, and our legacy campaign, Do It For Them, encouraging supporters to leave a gift in their Will to secure a brighter future for those affected by kidney disease. Together, these initiatives help ensure that everyone living with kidney disease can access the care and support they deserve.
Activity in 2025
The NKF Helpline continued to experience consistently high demand, supporting many patients, family members, carers, and healthcare professionals. Enquiries were received through multiple channels including telephone calls, email, live web chat via the NKF website, and traditional posted letters ensuring that individuals could access support in the manner most convenient to them.
In addition to responding to daily queries, the Helpline team also distributed a significant volume of patient support materials. This included tailored information packs, educational leaflets, and specialist resources designed to help patients better understand their kidney condition, treatment options, and available support services. These resources played an essential role in empowering individuals with reliable information at often challenging moments in their healthcare journey.
Early Detection Campaign
As part of our Early Detection campaign, the NKF Helpline in 2025 continued to push the campaign to the integrated care boards (ICB’s) and Health Boards across the four nations.
The Helpline distributed more than 14,000 patient information leaflets to GP practices across England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. These information leaflets covered a wide range of topics, including kidney health, chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3, and other essential kidney related information for surgeries to display and share with their patients.
In addition, the Helpline distributed 300 posters designed specifically for GP surgery noticeboards, helping to raise awareness of kidney health in waiting areas and reception spaces.
The NKF continue to actively promote resources to ICBs and GP surgeries throughout the UK. The response has been extremely positive, with many practices expressing their appreciation for the clarity, accessibility, and usefulness of the materials we provide.
NKF Helpline
Resources
The NKF Helpline team sent out:
40,000 Patient information leaflets to renal units, hospitals, and patients
2,500 Patient support packs
1,500 Patient information folders including; dietary, transplants, CKD stage 3, exercise, and the very popular dialysis information packs
4,000 Emergency patient cards including dialysis and transplant cards
400 CKD stage 3 information packs
14,000 Leaflets to GPs
400 Helpline cards
One year on from being awarded membership of the Helpline Partnership, following thorough assessments and compliance checks, we continue to uphold these high standards. Additionally, the Helpline leaflets have maintained the prestigious PIF Tick, the UK’s only independently assessed quality mark for health and care information, in both print and online formats.
The Helpline continues to grow and remains a highly valued resource for both patients and renal hospitals.
Top 5 popular calls received by the Helpline 2025 involved topics such as:
1 CKD
2 Kidney conditions advice
3 Dialysis
4 Diet and exercise
5 Transplant
The most requested leaflets/information packs distributed in 2025 were:
1 Patient support packs
2 Transplant information packs: Pre and post transplant
3 Dialysis information packs
4 Living with fatigue for people with kidney disease
5 CKD stage 3 information packs In 2025 the Helpline introduced 28 new titles to the NKF information library, these new titles are listed below: 1 Urinary tract infections 2 The risks of missing dialysis 3 What is peritonitis
Rare renal
PH1 – Genetic kidney disease in South Asian communities 6 General peer support booklet 7 Understanding delayed graft function 8 Plus 21 Easy Read titles
NKF Peer Support Service
In 2025, the NKF’s National Peer Support Service proudly supported over 100 patients and carers throughout their kidney journey. This milestone reflects the strength and value of our service, which continues to receive regular referrals from patients, carers, and renal units across the country.
As we achieved the 100th peer support in 2025, at the same time, we also registered our 250 peer support sessions given since we first launched the service in September 2021.
Since expanding our service in December 2024 to include all types of peer support, we have gone from strength to strength. During the first three years, our focus was primarily on home therapies. We are delighted to have successfully managed over 100 referrals, thanks to the dedication of our incredible peer supporters, who consistently receive outstanding feedback.
While we deeply appreciate the vital work of renal nurses and doctors, there is something uniquely powerful about patients helping patients sharing real life experiences of kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation. Over the past year, we’ve seen a significant increase in referrals from nurses, alongside patients discovering our service through social media and newsletters.
Our peer support service offers a fast and effective way for patients and carers to access help. Most referrals are processed within one to two days, ensuring timely support when it matters most. Our volunteers provide compassionate assistance, whether through a one-off session or ongoing support, always bringing empathy and understanding from their own lived experiences.
We are proud to have supported patients nationwide, across all ages and ethnicities. Many kidney specialists now regard NKF Peer Support as a trusted resource for advice and guidance on managing kidney conditions, dialysis, and transplant journeys.
One memorable example involved a referral that began in Florida. A concerned daughter-in-law reached out about her mother-in-law undergoing dialysis in Scotland. After learning about our service, she encouraged her mother-in-law to contact us. This lady got in touch and we were able to get her connected with a peer supporter who now provides regular support, an inspiring story that spans from Florida to Fife to NKF HQ in Nottinghamshire!
Stephen Emmerson, NKF Peer Support Coordinator, shared:
“Reaching over 100 peer support sessions in one year is amazing. We’ve averaged around two new connections each week. My role is to link people with our peer supporters, and I’ve truly enjoyed helping patients and carers access the support they need. Our volunteers consistently receive excellent feedback, and as a national service, I believe we are a vital lifeline for kidney patients and their families. None of this would be possible without our wonderful peer supporters, they are a joy to work with.”
Helpline Testimonials
“I spoke with the NKF Helpline for advice on behalf of my dad’s CKD stage 4 diagnosis. The Helpline were super helpful, guiding me, providing the next steps, experience and knowledge to help me proceed. As well as that, they offered to send me some documentation on the disease. It was a great experience. Thank you to the Helpline!”
“I spoke with the NKF Helpline for advice on behalf of my dad’s CKD stage 4 diagnosis. The Helpline were super helpful, guiding me, providing the next steps, experience and knowledge to help me proceed. As well as that, they offered to send me some documentation on the disease. It was a great experience. Thank you to the Helpline!”
“I appreciated the effort and the human touch from the National Kidney Federation. It’s a step forward in a space that often feels isolating. I hope this service continues to grow and listen.”
“I appreciated the effort and the human touch from the National Kidney Federation. It’s a step forward in a space that often feels isolating. I hope this service continues to grow and listen.”
“Enormously supportive, empathetic and helpful. I would have no hesitation in contacting the NKF Helpline again if the need arises.”
“Enormously supportive, empathetic and helpful. I would have no hesitation in contacting the NKF Helpline again if the need arises.”
“This was the first time I called the NKF helpline, not only were all of my questions answered quickly, clearly and comprehensively, but I was also given additional help, guidance and direction as to how to proceed going forward. In addition, the person I spoke with was obviously experienced, empathic and very helpful.”
“This was the first time I called the NKF helpline, not only were all of my questions answered quickly, clearly and comprehensively, but I was also given additional help, guidance and direction as to how to proceed going forward. In addition, the person I spoke with was obviously experienced, empathic and very helpful.”
“I wish more people were as kind and compassionate as the NKF. Stephen was a good listener and very knowledgeable about the advice he gave. A lot of people should learn from him as he has firsthand experience of CKD. A very kind man.”
“I wish more people were as kind and compassionate as the NKF. Stephen was a good listener and very knowledgeable about the advice he gave. A lot of people should learn from him as he has firsthand experience of CKD. A very kind man.”
“I was most impressed with the kindness and knowledge the Helpline staff showed. It is very rare nowadays to speak directly to people, and from my experience, I vouch for the dedication and willingness to provide as much information and guidance in a very pleasant and well paced manner. Well done to the NKF.”
“I was most impressed with the kindness and knowledge the Helpline staff showed. It is very rare nowadays to speak directly to people, and from my experience, I vouch for the dedication and willingness to provide as much information and guidance in a very pleasant and well paced manner. Well done to the NKF.”
“Stephen and Linda are obviously dedicated to their work. They speak with knowledge and enthusiasm, and I think it’s clear that they’re both committed to whoever they’re speaking with. There was no feeling that they were rushing things along, and they both conducted themselves sincerely and professionally. 10 out of 10!”
“Stephen and Linda are obviously dedicated to their work. They speak with knowledge and enthusiasm, and I think it’s clear that they’re both committed to whoever they’re speaking with. There was no feeling that they were rushing things along, and they both conducted themselves sincerely and professionally. 10 out of 10!”
We entered the new year to very snowy scenes in Lancashire. Shaemus has been in the snow before, but never really enjoyed it due to always feeling poorly. This was his first full Christmas spent at home, so we got our thermals on and embraced the cold to have a family snow day.
He’s been feeling much better within himself (although he has a weakened immune system), and we had meetings with his school to arrange for him to start back after the winter period. As parents, we were still unsure whether this was the right decision, but felt it was important for him to try a normal life. We bought his school uniform and agreed for him to start after easter. He was actually happier and ready to get back to school this time, as he had only ever been a handful of times before.
Shaemus was at school for 5 days, and on the fifth day, he was working harder to breathe with a temperature that was 39°C. I took him straight to A&E. He went on a small amount of oxygen, but within a few hours of admission, he went into respiratory failure, and the emergency button was pulled. Within a few seconds, the crash team were in the room surrounded by doctors and nurses. I just thought “this is it”. Luckily, they managed to stabilise him without resuscitation, and he was intubated and went straight to the ICU. He stayed on a ventilator for seven days. This was a result of him catching a common cold called Rhinovirus whilst he already has a poor immune system due to needing medications to stop his transplanted kidney from rejecting. His lungs are also already restricted by his thoracic dystrophy, which stops him from being able to fight off chest infections by himself.
Shaemus made a full recovery, and since waking up, he has used a home ventilator for sleeping to prevent lung collapses and to keep a reduced CO2 level in his body.
Sarah Lincoln shares an update on her son Shaemus’ kidney journey. Our readers may remember that we have shared yearly updates about Shaemus in previous editions of our annual impact report. After receiving a life-saving kidney transplant from his father, Kieran, in 2024, this latest update sees Sarah talking more about Shaemus’ ongoing journey and reflects on everything Shaemus has experienced in 2025.
This has made a massive impact on his life, he’s had reduced hospital admissions and has more energy during the day (although he does get very breathless after any physical activity). He never went back to school and is now home schooled. The most important thing for us as a family is to keep him safe. Since homeschooling, he has been loads better and has had time to become stronger. We have lots of fun at home and his little sister Josephine joins in too. We celebrated his 8th birthday at Hafan y mor in Wales, he had the best time, and the weather was great. We enjoyed it that much, we went back again in August! Just for him to enjoy a holiday without missing it is amazing.
Over the year, we have ridden miniature trains, gone swimming, gone on walks, been to the zoo, the beach, had pool days in the garden, had lots of meals out, and most importantly, been able to visit family members.
Shaemus is obsessed with quavers, grapes and ham wraps! I still have to force him to drink his water, which I find so bizarre, he now needs a minimum of 2 litres a day.
We are always so vigilant when we go out, and we avoid large crowds, tend to stay outdoors where we can and always sanitise and isolate over the winter period. It’s not ideal and not ‘normal’, but this is our new normal. His transplanted kidney is doing great with a creatinine of 30, and we are approaching his 2 year anniversary at the time of writing this update. Can you believe that?
We had a lovely, quiet Christmas at home, keeping the magic alive while Shaemus still believes in Santa Claus.
The NKF once again collaborated with the Kidney Charities Together Group, which consists of the NKF, Kidney Research UK, UK Kidney Association, Kidney Care UK, PKD Charity, Kidney Wales and Popham Kidney Support. The joint collaboration drives a nationwide awareness campaign and offers an opportunity for the kidney community to unite in celebrating kidney health, increasing awareness, and ensuring patients feel included and supported.
For 2025 we launched a new joint campaign as a collaborative called Don’t Kid Yourself, and it was all about challenging the myths about kidney disease and shining a light on the true facts.
Below are examples of social media posts that were shared:
World Kidney Day is an important yearly occasion that helps raise awareness and deepen understanding of kidney disease and its effects.
Visit: www.worldkidneyday.co.uk
Louis’ Story
Louis Toussaint opens up about his personal kidney journey, sharing the challenges he faced and the powerful role that support and community played in helping him find strength along the way.
When I learned in 2003 that I would need dialysis, it felt like the ground shifted beneath me. I had a young family, lots of responsibilities, and suddenly I was being told both my kidneys were failing.
It was overwhelming. I remember sitting in those appointments, struggling to take anything in. Thankfully, my wife stepped in, attending every meeting, taking notes, and helping us understand how life was about to change.
Dialysis quickly became part of my weekly routine. Over the years, I experienced every form of it; haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home haemodialysis, sometimes several times a week. For a long stretch, I did twilight dialysis, heading straight to the Royal Free Hospital after work for four hour sessions three evenings a week. It took some adjustment, especially to my sleep and energy levels, but with support from my workplace and family, I found a way to make it work.
There were tough moments, of course. Fatigue was a constant companion. And being from an Afro-Caribbean background, I didn’t initially know many people who had been through kidney failure. That felt isolating at times, I wanted to talk to people who really understood. But gradually, I found that sense of community, and it changed everything.
Even in the early days, I was determined not to sit back and feel sorry for myself. In my first year on dialysis, I got involved with the Royal Free Hospital Kidney Patient Association and became a regional representative. The role gave me purpose and connection at a time when everything felt uncertain. Over the years I’ve continued serving as a trustee, and it’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Helping others going through what I once faced makes the whole experience feel a little lighter.
What helped me through those four years more than anything was the people around me; my wife Sandra and daughters Geniene and Sian were my constant source of strength. Also, the medical staff at the Royal Free showed care and kindness that made each session feel less daunting. And my colleagues at work were incredibly supportive, helping me balance treatment with my career.
In 2007, I was fortunate enough to receive a kidney transplant, a moment that opened the door to a more energetic, forwardlooking life. A transplant isn’t a cure, but with medication and ongoing care, it has allowed me to live a full and active life and for that I’m incredibly grateful. In the same year, I became acquainted with the Catenians, an international network of Catholic laymen who meet at least once a month in local units called ‘Circles’ and subsequently became a member of London, North West Circle in 2008. Joining the Circle has extended my friendship groups, allowing me to make new friends who have also been helpful and supportive during difficult times.
This year, I had the joy of hosting the Royal Free Hospital Kidney Patient Association’s annual Christmas party, which brought together many patients, families and staff. Moments like that remind me how strong and positive this community can be. What began as a frightening diagnosis eventually led me to longstanding friendships, support networks, and experiences I never expected.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that kidney failure doesn’t have to define you or your future. There is support, there is community, and there is hope, often in places you don’t expect. And while the journey can be challenging, it can also bring out strength, resilience and connection in ways that truly make a difference.
Building Change Through Policy
In 2025, the policy and public affairs activities of the NKF were at their busiest, focusing on strengthening relationships with stakeholders in England and Scotland and ensuring the patient voice is represented nationally.
The All-Party Parliamentary Kidney Group (APPKG) was reformed and in addition to the four officers, it has over 35 members from across the political parties. Outside of the APPKG activities, outreach was conducted to MPs and MSPs to introduce the work of the NKF, the experiences of people living with kidney disease and to garner support for ongoing campaigns to improve the lives of kidney patients and their families.
The NKF continues to provide consultation responses that are appropriate to the mission of the charity this has included; NICE Technology Appraisals, NHS Payment Scheme consultation and NHSE consultation on the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework.
Activities in England
Lucy Vasiliou, NKF Policy and Public Affairs Manager, attended the Labour Party Conference to engage with stakeholders and parliamentarians on the key issues affecting kidney patients.
The NKF continued to be a member of several coalitions and forums, including:
• Kidney Policy Forum
• Specialised Healthcare Alliance
• Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry
• NICE Voluntary and Community Sector Network
• Disability Benefits Consortium
• Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Coalition
• Prescription Charges Coalition
NKF networks were also extended to include ICBs and sit on the West Yorkshire Kidney Health Strategy Group.
Activities in Scotland
The NKF became members of the Scottish Healthcare ALLIANCE to be able to increase influence and represent kidney patients in Scotland.
In September Lucy Vasiliou, NKF Policy and Public Affairs Manager, attended a debate in Holyrood. This was part of a wider piece of work to influence the Scottish Government to prioritise kidney disease in policy, for example in the Long Term Conditions Framework. The NKF sits on the Expert Reference Group for the framework as a mechanism to ensure the voices of kidney patients are heard in the development of policy.
Campaigning and Lobbying Parliamentary Summit
The NKF hosted a summit on increasing home dialysis in the UK on 15th May 2025 at Portcullis House, Westminster. This important event marked the culmination of the NKF’s Home Dialysis campaign and brought together key stakeholders from across the kidney care community.
The summit addressed significant inequities in home dialysis provision. Data from the UK Renal Registry has clearly demonstrated that patients who dialyse at home experienced substantially better outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The home dialysis campaign also revealed stark inequalities in access to home dialysis, particularly among patients from disadvantaged communities. This summit was a timely opportunity to brief parliamentarians on these critical issues and secure their support for policy changes that could significantly improve outcomes for kidney patients across the UK.
Manifesto for Increasing Home Dialysis in England
The NKF, along with the APPKG, published a manifesto in June 2025 titled A Manifesto for Increasing Home Dialysis in England for the Benefit of Patients and the NHS. The report sets out recommendations for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the NHS, and the kidney community to prioritise home dialysis as a treatment option and to empower kidney patients to advocate for their own care.
As the NHS is under growing pressure, prioritising home dialysis treatment over hospital in centre treatment offers a practical, cost effective and patient centred solution. By doing so, it could save the NHS millions by increasing home dialysis treatment by just 1% (300 patients on home dialysis nationally).
Many people struggle to get access to dialysis treatment at home rather than in hospital. In 2023, approximately 16% of dialysis patients in the UK were using home therapies, which is actually lower than in previous years. Guidance recommends that at least 20% of patients should be on home dialysis, but only 12 out of 67 units are reaching this target. Progress varies widely across the country, mainly because there are not enough trained or specialist staff, uneven funding for training and support, and additional barriers to access exist across ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
The NHS Long Term Plan commits to moving care into the community, digitising services, and focusing on prevention. Home dialysis supports all three aims. It frees hospital capacity, enables remote monitoring, and promotes self management, resilience and wellbeing.
Many centres across the UK are working hard to increase access to home dialysis through innovation, patient and carer education, staff development and peer support.
With clear national backing, local leadership and patient involvement, the decision to access treatment via home therapies could become a matter of patient choice and not a postcode lottery of service provision.
To read the Manifesto for Increasing Home Dialysis in England for the Benefit of Patients and the NHS visit: www.kidney.org.uk/home-dialysis-campaign-manifesto
National Kidney Disease Strategy
The NKF is part of a joint national campaign, 7 Million Lives at Risk – What’s the Plan?, calling on the government to commit to a national strategy for kidney disease, a kidney disease Modern Service Framework. The campaign launched in Westminster on the 22nd October 2025 through the All-Party Parliamentary Kidney Group, with an open letter delivered to the Prime Minister earlier that day, a letter that had been signed by over 13,000 supporters.
As the campaign moves forward, we are working closely with the UKKA and wider charities to co design what a national kidney strategy should prioritise. To ensure the strategy meets the needs of the entire kidney community a programme of listening events is being undertaken to capture the voices of the community including patients, carers, healthcare professionals and commissioners throughout the UK. The NKF is proud to be supporting and facilitating these events throughout 2026.
To find out more about the national campaign visit: www.kidney.org.uk/7-million-lives-at-risk-whats-the-plan
The NKF has campaigned over the past four years to increase home therapies, publishing annual Home Dialysis Reports and a May 2025 manifesto highlighting systemic challenges in expanding home dialysis options. The NKF are partners with the DAYLife programme to continue to be an essential part in supporting patients in choosing home therapies.
The DAYLife programme is designed to develop tools and resources, foster connections and collaborations and deliver quality improvement training to enable equitable access to home dialysis therapy, to support centres in meeting the 20% ‘Getting It Right First Time’ GIRFT target.
The programme aims for:
All kidney centres in the UK to engage and actively participate in quality improvement work around home dialysis therapy.
All centres to achieve a minimum of 20% of their prevalent dialysis patients to be on a home therapy by December 2027.
Centres to achieve the target of 20% to continue to demonstrate incremental improvement in the proportion of patients on home dialysis year on year.
A central hub known as the Knowledge Hub was created for professionals to provide updates and engage centres and stakeholders to support and undertake home dialysis improvement work and offer support where required, including QI resources, and resources to support both Shared Care and Peer Support and mentoring programme resources.
To learn more about the Knowledge Hub visit: https://education.ukkidney.org/course/daylife
A DAYLife Summit event took place in September 2025 in Birmingham which focused less on policy and strategy, but more on what centres can do to improve access to, and retention on home dialysis along with some educational elements.
Here are some key takeaway messages from the event:
“There is space for significant growth in home therapies across the country and great efforts are being made to do this, however the momentum needs to be kept up in order for us to reach the targets set.”
“I am not a clinical person, so to have a more in depth understanding of the clinical side and the processes that networks and hospitals are pushing is invaluable.”
“Organisational culture drives whether home therapy is a success in renal units.”
To learn more about DAYLife visit: https://education.ukkidney.org/course/daylife
To sign up to the DAYLife mailing list, and receive updates on the DAYLife programme visit: https://forms.office.com/r/iKrpTUCZpg
Raising Awareness of Our ServicesEvents We’ve Attended
Spreading the Word About What We Do and Connecting with Our Community
We’ve kept building understanding around the challenges associated with kidney disease and the ways our services assist patients and their families, helping ensure no one feels unsupported. Alongside this, we’ve maintained our ongoing efforts to advocate for better renal care and treatment standards.
Through active community engagement, we make it easier for people to learn how to access our support and get involved with our work. We’ve also taken part in numerous events to showcase our organisation and the services we provide, including:
Support and Engagement
The NKF has provided ongoing tailored support to Kidney Patient Associations across the UK, including established, emerging and non member groups. Support has included attendance at committee meetings, advisory discussions with clinical teams and KPA leaders, and ongoing one to one guidance for chairs and committee members.
The NKF Membership Development Lead has:
• Engaged with 50+ KPAs and proposed KPAs across the UK and Channel Islands.
• Attended multiple committee meetings, AGMs and regional network meetings to provide NKF updates and guidance.
• Provided direct advisory support to new, established and at risk KPAs to sustain local patient representation.
Governance and Organisational Resilience
The NKF has supported KPAs with governance development, including charity registration, constitution drafting, and consideration of Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) structures. This has strengthened governance frameworks, clarified committee roles, and improved long term sustainability.
Development and Growth of the KPA Networks
The NKF has played a key role in developing new KPAs and expanding the network, working with clinical teams, patient representatives and prospective volunteers. Our support has included organising patient engagement events, facilitating meetings, advising on membership pathways and onboarding new KPAs into NKF membership.
Leadership and Volunteer Building
The NKF has provided strategic support to KPA leadership teams, including succession planning and recruitment. This included participation in interview panels, advising on recruitment strategies, and targeted outreach to identify new committee members during periods of transition or organisational risk. This also includes:
• Facilitating volunteer recruitment campaigns through regional networks and communications channels.
• Designing multiple promotional materials for events, fundraising and membership drives.
• Producing adverts and patient facing materials to support membership recruitment and awareness campaigns.
• Supporting digital engagement and hybrid meeting capability for KPA committees.
Partnership Working and Network Strengthening
The NKF strengthened collaboration between KPAs, clinical teams and regional networks, supporting joint initiatives, shared events and cross KPA communication. This has enhanced knowledge sharing, collective advocacy and patient involvement in renal services.
Visit www.kidney.org.uk/kidney-patient-associations to see a location map for all our KPA members.
Overall Impact
The NKF’s work with KPAs has contributed to greater organisational stability, stronger governance, increased volunteer capacity, expanded network coverage, and improved patient engagement. This ensures kidney patients continue to have robust local representation, peer support opportunities, and a meaningful voice in renal care services.
Regional Networks Update
The NKF also continued to strengthen engagement with Regional Kidney Networks across England, working to enhance patient representation, improve collaboration between clinical services and KPAs, and embed patient voice within regional renal strategy and service development.
South East
Engagement in the South East remains limited, with no formal invitations to regional meetings during the reporting period. The NKF has proactively reiterated its willingness to participate and support regional activity and will prioritise strengthening engagement in this region in the coming year of 2026.
South West
The NKF focused on addressing engagement challenges and strengthening collaboration between KPAs and the regional network. Work has included strategic discussions with the Regional Network Lead and KPA leadership to identify barriers and develop approaches to improve regional coordination and support for KPAs. Regular regional meetings have now been re-established with improved attendance, helping to rebuild communication and regional cohesion.
London
The NKF maintained an active role in the London Regional KPA Network, providing updates on NKF activity, supporting coordination between KPAs and clinical services, and strengthening regional governance and engagement. The NKF also supported collaboration between major London KPAs regarding shared dialysis services and led development of a regional best practice guide.
East of England
The NKF established new relationships with the newly appointed Regional Network Lead and initiated discussions on regional priorities and opportunities for patient and KPA engagement.
Midlands
The NKF significantly increased engagement with the Midlands Kidney Network, including regular meetings with the project manager, participation in the patient steering group, and attendance at operational board meetings. The NKF is transitioning into a lead role for the region, strengthening strategic influence and patient representation.
Yorkshire and Humber
The NKF maintained strong engagement with the Yorkshire and Humber Kidney Network, attending board meetings and regional events, promoting NKF services, and working with the regional lead to increase KPA participation.
North East and North Cumbria
The NKF attended regional stakeholder meetings, represented the organisation alongside partner charities, and strengthened relationships with regional network leadership, including invitations to national NKF events.
North West
The NKF played a significant role in strengthening the North West regional network, including attendance at stakeholder and clinical events, establishing a Regional KPA Network meeting, and supporting KPA involvement in quality improvement initiatives.
Overall Impact
The NKF’s regional network engagement has strengthened patient representation within renal service planning, improved collaboration between KPAs and clinical networks, and enhanced NKF’s visibility as a key stakeholder across regions. This work has increased opportunities for a stronger patient voice, supported regional quality improvement initiatives, and laid the groundwork for stronger, more consistent regional engagement across England.
KPA Day 2025
On Saturday 5th April 2025, the Arden Hotel in Birmingham welcomed KPA members to the NKF’s annual KPA Day under a warm, sunny sky. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for members to come together, network, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
The day began with a warm welcome from David Coyle, Chair of the NKF, followed by a minute’s silence to remember family, friends, and colleagues who had been lost over the past year. A special tribute was paid to Keith Pennington, former Chair of Hope KPA, who had been a regular attendee of KPA Day, and was fondly remembered as the event’s unofficial photographer.
In a refreshing change from previous years, the morning sessions focused on the business of the day. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) opened the proceedings, introducing both current and new members of the executive committee, which is now running at full capacity with 16 members. A highlight of the AGM was the announcement that Kirit Modi MBE would continue in his role as the NKF’s Honorary President. Following a short refreshment break, the Council Meeting provided updates on key strategic priorities, with David Coyle outlining the NKF’s overarching strategy and Pete Revell, Head of Marketing and Fundraising, reflecting on the organisation’s achievements over the past year.
After lunch, the focus shifted to interactive and collaborative sessions. Chris Talbot, Membership Development Lead, set the tone for the afternoon, explaining the structure of the breakout sessions, which began with a lively game of KPA Bingo. Members enjoyed learning fun facts about KPAs from across the UK, creating a playful and engaging start to the collaborative work ahead.
Breakout sessions then explored topics identified as priorities by KPAs themselves. These included:
• Membership, facilitated by Chris Talbot, NKF Membership Development Lead and Fiona Broomhead, NKF Senior Office Administrator, who led discussions on member engagement and retention strategies.
• Marketing and Social Media, guided by Sharney Warren, NKF Communications and Marketing Officer, alongside Alex Saul, NKF Policy and Public Affairs Manager, focusing on communication strategies and best practice sharing.
• Joint Fundraising, hosted by Pete Revell, NKF Head of Marketing and Fundraising, and supported by Mike Sinfield from Six Counties KPA, examining collaborative approaches to fundraising and innovative ideas for generating support.
Each session proved highly engaging, with participants contributing a wealth of insights, ideas, and suggestions. Key points and outcomes were summarised and shared with all attendees following another refreshment break. The day concluded with David Coyle thanking everyone for their valuable contributions and active participation, reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and shared purpose that defines the KPA network.
NKF Annual Event 2025
11th–12th October | Hilton Hotel, East Midlands Airport
The 2025 NKF Annual Event, held at the Hilton Hotel, East Midlands Airport, was a truly inspiring and uplifting weekend. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us. It was wonderful to see so many patients, carers, healthcare professionals and partners come together to share experiences, build new connections and support one another.
The weekend began on Saturday evening with a relaxed social event, featuring a hot buffet and quiz. This informal gathering provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to meet, reconnect with friends, and enjoy time together in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Sunday morning opened with the NKF Council meeting, while delegates had the opportunity to explore the exhibition area, speak with industry representatives and charitable partners, and gather information about the latest services and innovations in kidney care. With a dedicated exhibition space, there was plenty of time for meaningful conversations and networking.
The main programme began with a warm welcome from NKF Chair, David Coyle, who set the tone for a day focused on education, empowerment and collaboration. The speaker lineup included a mix of professional experts and patient voices, ensuring a programme that was both informative and deeply personal.
Caryl Bryant, NKF Co-Vice Chair, shared practical advice on making the most of a new kidney, while Roger Greenwood from the Dialysis Society highlighted the importance of making every dialysis session count to improve patient outcomes. Andy and Stacey Jones gave a powerful and moving account of their experience with living donation, and Alex Gibbs spoke openly about the challenges and resilience required as a young adult on dialysis.
Clinical expertise was provided by Renal Dietitian Oscar Walton, who discussed the importance of diet in managing kidney disease. Dr Lisa Willcocks and Benjamin Stokes delivered an insightful session on understanding and navigating your numbers in kidney disease. Kathryn Taylor explored the psychosocial aspects of kidney care and the value of multidisciplinary working, while Lisa Ancliffe addressed frailty and fatigue, offering practical strategies for daily life.
The day concluded with an inspiring session on peer support from NKF Peer Supporters Dana Holmes and Alison Lawrence, reminding us all of the strength found in shared experience and community.
We are extremely grateful to our event sponsors, CSL Vifor and Novartis, whose support helped make this event possible and allowed us to keep it accessible for patients and carers.
All speaker sessions are available to watch again on the NKF website. The 2025 Annual Event was a tremendous success, and we look forward to building on this momentum in 2026.
To revisit the Annual Event from 2025 visit: https://www.kidney.org.uk/Event/nkf-annual-event-2025
Organ Donation Week 2025
In September 2025, we highlighted a series of remarkable kidney transplant journeys, showcasing the life changing impact of organ donation and the power of transplantation.
Johanna, Sue, Belinda, David, and Katherine shared their personal experiences with the NKF during Organ Donation Week. Also, sisters Amy and Gemma told their story, with Gemma receiving the gift of life from her sister Amy.
These powerful stories reached audiences across our social media channels, resonating with many. We are grateful to everyone who shared their experiences with us and to all who engaged with us during Organ Donation Week.
KPAs committed their time to marking Organ Donation Week by setting up their very own information stands in their local units, sharing resources and raising awareness about organ donation.
To read the full stories of Johanna, Sue, Belinda, David, Katherine, Amy and Gemma, visit the NKF website: www.kidney.org.uk/Blogs/your-stories
Our Become a Member campaign, where supporters can donate £3 or more per month to help continue and expand NKF’s services, has been a great success. What began as a simple way to grow membership has quickly developed into a reliable foundation of recurring support, transforming how we deliver, fund, and maintain vital services.
Monthly and annual giving provides stability, allowing NKF to plan and expand its services responsibly. Over the past year, this approach has proven its value, ensuring our support reaches patients, families, and healthcare professionals consistently and effectively.
Thanks to the dedication of our monthly members, essential services such as the NKF Helpline, Peer Support Service, and educational resources remain available all year round, not just during seasonal fundraising peaks. These contributions also enable quicker responses to emerging needs and greater investment in long term initiatives.
Engagement among members has grown steadily, with more supporters taking part in events, sharing resources, and advocating for kidney health in their communities. This campaign has fostered not only financial support but meaningful relationships that strengthen our network.
Every monthly donation, no matter the size, represents a conscious choice to provide ongoing help rather than one time support. Together, these steady contributions form a solid foundation for sustainable services and extended reach.
Looking ahead, the NKF will continue to grow and strengthen its membership base. In the coming year, the focus will be on welcoming new members and deepening connections with existing supporters through more engagement opportunities, and enhanced member benefits.
Above all, we thank our members. Each person who gives monthly plays a vital role in building a secure, sustainable future for NKF’s services and the people who rely on them. Your ongoing commitment makes this work possible, and we are truly grateful for your support.
If you would like to become an NKF Member or would like to learn more about the exclusive benefits of monthly giving, please visit:
www.kidney.org.uk/member
Digital Presence
Accessibility
Over the past year, the NKF website has achieved a significant milestone, with over 3 million engagements and interactions. The growing reach of our work and strong connection with our community are stronger than ever.
We have remained committed to creating an inclusive and accessible digital experience for all users. Our website continues to feature a comprehensive accessibility tool, one of the most popular resources on our platform, designed to ensure a user friendly experience regardless of language ability or impairment. The tool offers translation services, customisable styling options, reading aids and screen reader functionality, empowering visitors to engage with our content in ways that best meet their individual needs. The translation tool in particular has been a popular feature with our helpline leaflets being translated to Bengali, Turkish, Indonesian, Portuguese and many other languages.
Most viewed web pages
Social Media
Over the past year, our digital presence has continued to grow significantly, generating more than one million combined views across our social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, X and BlueSky.
Reaching this milestone reflects not only the expanding reach of our platforms, but also the strength of the stories being shared. By highlighting individuals’ personal journeys and experiences, we have created relatable content that resonates with our diverse audience. These authentic stories have helped raise awareness, engagement, and strengthened connections within our community.
Each view represents an opportunity to inform, inspire, and amplify voices that matter.
Our social channels have become powerful platforms for storytelling, ensuring that individual experiences are seen, heard, and valued.
Pictured are some of our highest reaching social posts…
NKF Webinars: Informing, Empowering and Connecting in 2025
It was an exceptionally busy and successful year for the NKF Webinar Series in 2025. The webinars were held bi monthly on Wednesday evenings at 5pm and recorded for access via the NKF YouTube channel. Our webinars continue to grow in popularity, reaching more patients, carers and healthcare professionals than ever before.
The webinar series covered a wide range of topics designed to inform, empower and support people living with kidney disease.
We began with Healthy Eating with Diabetes & Kidney Disease, hosted by Yuko Ishida, Specialist Diabetes Dietitian at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Yuko, creator of renal dietary education videos, who was joined by NKF Ambassador Hattie Stiff, who shared her personal experience of following a renal diet. The session helped patients better understand how to balance dietary needs when managing both diabetes and kidney disease.
Marking five years since the pandemic, COVID-19 & Kidney Disease – What You Need to Know featured Dr Hellena Habte-Asres from the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, alongside a patient speaker. The webinar explored what we now understand about COVID-19’s impact on people with chronic kidney disease and how patients can live well in a post pandemic world.
Our Travel & Dialysis webinar, led by Evgenia Kafousi of Bookdialysis, introduced an innovative platform enabling patients to confidently arrange dialysis treatments in over 850 destinations worldwide. The session provided practical advice and reassurance for those wishing to travel safely.
Other highlights included Ageing Well with Kidney Disease, presented by Consultant Nephrologist Dr Andy Nixon, focusing on frailty, home exercise and maintaining independence; Navigating Menopause, hosted by Dominica McAndrew, which offered an insight into symptoms and treatment options; and Itching with Kidney Disease, where Dr Jacqueline Nevols explored causes, home strategies and clinical treatments for this challenging symptom.
All webinars are available to watch again at: www.kidney.org.uk/event/nkf-webinar-series
Through these sessions, the NKF continues to provide trusted information, amplify patient voices, and ensure the kidney community has access to expert guidance when it matters most.
In 2025 the NKF Webinar bi monthly series had over 11,500 views. This proves that our webinars continue to be a widely valued and informative resource for both patients and health professionals.
A Year of Growth and Generosity
As we reflect on 2025, we are pleased to report another strong year for fundraising at the NKF. The generosity, loyalty and commitment of our supporters have once again enabled us to deliver vital services to kidney patients and their families across the UK. We are also grateful for the continued collaboration of our industry partners, whose support remains an important part of our sustainability.
Our industry partners, including pharmaceutical companies, dialysis providers and medical equipment manufacturers, worked with us across a range of projects during the year. In total, we partnered with 11 companies, with industry income accounting for approximately 20% of our overall income. Their engagement and shared commitment to improving patient outcomes are greatly valued.
Our Best Foot Forward walking challenge enjoyed another successful year, attracting participation nationwide.
Individual fundraising events, including parachute jumps, half marathons and Charity of the Year partnerships with local organisations, also raised significant funds.
While some income streams fluctuated, the overall generosity of our community remained steadfast. We were also delighted to receive a substantial grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to support our Peer Support Service, the third time the National Lottery has invested in the NKF’s work.
Legacy giving continues to be a vital income stream. In 2025, we renewed our focus on Gifts in Wills, including promotion through the Kidney Life magazine. Income remained stable, and encouragingly, we have already seen an increase in pledges for the future.
Supporter donations rose compared with the previous year, including direct debits, shop sales and in memory giving. The launch of our Membership Scheme, starting from just £3 per month, has been particularly successful and provides a reliable, predictable income.
Clothing collections delivered record income, while our spring and winter draws also performed strongly.
Thanks to every sponsor and supporter who made 2025 such a successful year.
In Touch and Kidney Life
Throughout 2025, the NKF has continued to strengthen its communications, with both the quarterly Kidney Life magazine and the monthly In Touch e-newsletter reaching wider audiences and generating increased engagement. These publications remain central to how we connect with, inform and support the kidney community.
Kidney Life
Kidney Life continues to play a vital role in sharing patient experiences, updates and developments from across the renal community. Each quarterly edition provides personal stories from people affected by kidney disease, expert and practical information designed to support people living with kidney disease.
Understanding that digital access is not all inclusive, we remain committed to producing printed copies of the magazine.
In 2025, 13,000 printed copies were distributed to renal units, kidney patients, supporters and healthcare professionals, ensuring important information reaches those who need it most. By highlighting real patient voices alongside other various updates, the magazine continues to inform and empower.
Kidney Life is available in an interactive digital flipbook format via ISSUU on our website, www.kidney.org.uk, and is sent directly to more than 10,000 email subscribers.
To request a printed copy of Kidney Life, call 01909 544 999, email nkf@kidney.org.uk with your name and address, or subscribe online at: www.kidney.org.uk/news/kidney-life
In Touch
Our free monthly In Touch e-newsletter remains a key communication channel, keeping our community up to date with news, events and opportunities to engage with NKF activities.
Produced in house, the newsletter now reaches over 10,000 subscribers each month. It features updates on the NKF such as our Helpline support services, campaigns, upcoming webinars and events, developments within the renal sector, fundraising initiatives, and other ways to get involved.
As with Kidney Life, In Touch is also available online in a digital flipbook format via ISSUU on our website, ensuring accessibility across platforms.
To subscribe visit: www.kidney.org.uk/news/intouch-newsletter
We are incredibly grateful to the 519 regular donors whose continued generosity provides a dependable foundation for our work. In addition, more than 530 supporters have contributed by purchasing items through our online shop, and over 1,000 people have taken part in our fundraising draws by buying tickets.
During 2025, there were various fundraising activities taking place, including our annual challenges and general campaigns, with 128 dedicated fundraisers supporting our efforts. These fundraisers have been vital in bringing our community together and generating essential funds. We are especially thankful to the 294 donors who have made gifts in memory of loved ones. These tributes are a powerful way to honour those they have lost while helping to sustain our mission.
We are also appreciative of the 22 charitable trusts, including the National Lottery, whose generous grants have enabled us to continue delivering impactful campaigns and projects.
Finally, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to our staff, volunteers, and Executive Committee. Your commitment and enthusiasm have been key to raising the profile of our charity and increasing awareness of our services. Together, you have helped us strengthen our reach and make a meaningful difference to kidney patients and their families.
Thank you to our industry partners:
Vifor
Vantive
Fresenius
Medice
Bookdialysis
Novartis
Boehringer
Astellas
Pfizer
AstraZeneca
Independence Products
National Lottery
Grants and trust giving:
The Dumbreck Charity
Thank You
Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust
The Proven Family Trust
The Ardwick Trust
The J P Jacobs Charitable Trust
The National Lottery – Reaching Communities
The Charles & Edna Broadhurst Charitable Trust
The Patrick Trust
Gale Family Charity Trust
Marsh Charitable Trust
The Belstead Ganzoni Charitable Settlement
Sir John Eastwood Foundation
Owen Willis Charitable Trust
The National Kidney Federation (NKF) is a national charity that provides support and information to patients, families, and healthcare professionals affected by kidney disease. Our aim is to improve the quality of life and support for kidney patients and their families and raise awareness about kidney disease.
Our patient support services include a free to call Helpline, a Peer Support Service and an array of patient information leaflets. We also work closely with healthcare professionals and lobby Government to improve kidney care for over 72,208 kidney patients suffering end stage renal failure, and the estimated 3.25 million people identified as having chronic kidney disease (CKD stages 3 to 5) in the UK.
For more information on the support we provide, please visit our website:
www.kidney.org.uk
Call our Freephone Helpline on 0800 169 09 36 or email helpline@kidney.org.uk