North Wales MS praises ‘dedicated’ peer mentor for kidney charity

An Member of the Senedd has praised a “dedicated” peer mentor for a Wales-based kidney charity.

Llyr Gruffydd, who represents North Wales in the Senedd, recently met Alan Jones, an “inspirational” volunteer for Popham Kidney Support

Mr Gruffydd, of Plaid Cymru spoke with Alan, from Wrexham, as well as other volunteers and mentors for the charity from across Wales, when they visited the Senedd.

Popham Kidney Support is a kidney charity based in Swansea. Its team provides kidney support to children, youths and adults with kidney disease and kidney failure throughout Wales.

They also support their families and organise fundraisers for those in need of kidney disease support.

There are around 10,000 people with renal disease in Wales and many more at risk from this disease.

Renal disease is the reduced ability of the kidney to carry out key functions in the long-term.

These include maintaining blood pressure, maintaining the correct levels of chemicals in the body which, in turn, helps the heart and muscles to function properly, produce a type of vitamin D that keeps bones healthy, and produce a substance called erythropoietin, which helps stimulate the production of red blood cells.

All Popham Kidney Support’s Peer Mentors have experienced kidney disease, either as a patient or as a carer of a family member.

The charity has 24 Peer Mentors, of varying ages and experiences, who are based throughout Wales.

They have undertaken specialist training to become a Peer Mentor and are supported by a Clinical Psychologist and the charity’s management team.

“It was an absolute pleasure to meet Alan and the team from Popham Kidney Support and hear about the vital work that they do when they visited the Senedd,” said Llyr Gruffydd MS.

“He is clearly incredibly dedicated as well as passionate about supporting people with kidney failure and their families.

What he and his fellow volunteers are doing is inspirational.

“Peer Mentors provide useful information and advice, as well as much-needed emotional support.

“They are able to use the real life experience that they have of the disease to help others.

“The charity’s core message of ‘you are not alone’ is a powerful one that is a source of comfort for those who have the disease and the work of Alan and his fellow mentors exemplify that.”

For more information about Popham Kidney Support please visit: https://pophamkidneysupport.org.uk/. Anyone who would like to chat with a Peer Mentor, or would like support can contact 0800 038 8989 or [email protected]