During the summer of 2002 the National Kidney Federation launched its Young Persons Group in direct response to a request for a Support Group from young patients themselves. As young patients are in the minority they have at times, until that point, felt isolated and alone.
The main aim of this YPG group is to be a contact point for all young renal patients, a place where they can obtain support and share information and experiences and so reduce the sense of isolation many young renal patients feel. The fundamental point is that, as young people, there is a real need to interact socially and gain mutual support from others in a similar situation.
The current committee are Chair, Susan Frade, and others to be appointed. They are fully committed to ensuring its success in the future with the help of our members.
Another aim of the YPG is support and contact between young patients. This has already been addressed by a quarterly newsletter, Kidneytastic, a dedicated YPG zone on the NKF Website, and an extremely popular pen pal scheme. The YPG currently has close to 100 people on its records. These are divided into two age groups, the first 0-18yrs and the second 18-40yrs.
As well as the support aspect, YPG seeks to act locally, looking to work with Kidney Patient Associations (known as KPAs or Local Groups - Click Here to go to the NKF KPA zone) to address the needs of younger patients closer to home. It is hoped in the future to set up local support networks within KPAs which will identify and assist the needs of younger people in each area of the country.
Some KPAs & Hospitals already offer support for younger patients.
We do encourage you to fill in a membership form and join. Click here to go to our On-line Member Form. This is currently free & allows you to receive our newsletters and be kept informed of progress.
Young people have been clinically identified as a specialist group within medical care. Working with KPAs and the NKF we hope to make kidney failure a less unfriendly place for younger patients, and ensure you have a voice. We are a group for young renal patients run by young renal patients. So Don’t Delay, Join the YPG Today!
To help, or just become a member get in touch with the NKF Office on (01909) 544999 or complete an On-line membership form.
Page created: 24 October 2002
Last updated: 3 July 2008
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