Volunteers supporting kidney patients in renal units across the UK
A father of three is dedicating his time to improve life for renal patients, having spent two decades supporting his own mum through dialysis treatment after her kidneys failed.
Paul Chear, 48, volunteers with us as a renal unit contact, regularly spending time with patients and staff in two Birmingham renal units. He offers a friendly ear, connecting patients with further support and information via our charity.
Paul says: “I was only nine when Mum first needed dialysis and I supported her through that treatment for 20 years either side of a failed transplant. Thankfully, a second transplant gave her 15 dialysis-free years before she died in 2012, but I still remember how difficult dialysis was for our whole family.
“She’s the reason I volunteer. Trying to help others cope with the challenges kidney disease brings. There are many emotions and questions that patients have about how dialysis will affect their lives. Being able to have empathetic conversations to share the right information and support can make life a little easier.”
What is dialysis?
If a person is unable to have a kidney transplant before their kidneys fail, they will need dialysis to keep them alive.
This treatment performs some of the functions of the kidney, such as removing waste from your blood, maintaining balanced levels of fluid and minerals, and helping to control blood pressure.
There are two types of dialysis – haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis - which can take place in hospital or at home. Both significantly affect a person’s life, requiring several hours of treatment, multiple times each week, causing side-effects such as tiredness and muscle cramps.
What is a renal unit contact?
Renal unit contacts visit patients receiving dialysis in hospital, as well as speaking with the staff who treat them. Not everyone is aware of the support and opportunities we provide at Kidney Research UK, meaning volunteers like Paul are vital to ensure their local units are well equipped with information and resources.
Paul says: “Every time I go to a renal unit, it is always full. There is never a spare machine. It’s worrying that the amount of people affected is increasing. It can be hard to come to terms with needing dialysis. There are so many emotions and things to consider. A lot is going through your head. How will this affect my family? What can I eat? What exercise can I do? Can I continue to work or travel?
“Doctors are often dealing with the physical implications of kidney failure, so it’s important for patients to have support from others who have faced those same questions. I’m not there to ask about someone’s blood pressure. Instead, I want to know how people are and help share knowledge to make life easier.
“Dialysis can be exhausting and lonely, no matter how long somebody has been receiving treatment. Naturally people don’t always feel like talking when they’re having a bad day or struggling with their dialysis session. However, I’ve found that the majority of patients and their families welcome having somebody to talk to about what they’re going through. You can end up speaking about anything.
“Patients are so resilient but it’s nice to know that someone cares. That can make a huge difference. I’d have been really grateful if somebody had visited my mum.”
Become a renal unit contact volunteer
At Kidney Research UK, we’re looking for renal unit contact volunteers to help us reach more dialysis patients and staff across the UK.
Paul says: “I’m just a small part of a big team of volunteers. We come from a variety of backgrounds and have our own perspective on how kidney disease has impacted our lives. If we come across a patient who has a question related to their faith or culture, there is always someone who can support. For example, I’ve been able to share my experiences coming from an Indian, Punjabi background.
“All you need to volunteer is empathy and a willingness to help people. It’s uplifting to see the impact you can have on others by just being there for them and sharing information. Current research into kidney disease gives us all hope of a better future and it’s nice to be able to pass on that hope to patients and their families. It’s also important to hear the views of patients to help inform charities and researchers of where they can make the biggest impact moving forward.
“Many of us are involved in this work because of our own experiences of kidney disease. I’m grateful to be part of it and find it so fulfilling. I have a busy life with three children, but volunteering helps me feel more connected to my mum and I hope she’d be proud of what I’m doing.”
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Every £ counts towards transforming treatments for people living with kidney disease.