UK’s 4 Largest Kidney Charities Join Forces to Support Kidney Beam
Kidney Beam officially launched 18 months ago, and we’ve been excited to enter 2022 with 4 of the UK’s biggest charities joining forces to continue to provide free access for kidney patients in the UK.
We are proud to be continuing our special Kidney Beam service in partnership with our friends at King’s College Hospital. We’re also excited to be supported by not only Kidney Research UK, but also Kidney Care UK, National Kidney Federation, and UK Kidney Association. Thanks to this collaboration, we are continuing to provide Kidney Beam free to all kidney patients in the UK until 31st May 2022. We are, of course, already planning our next phase of Kidney Beam beyond that date.
This is the first time all four charities have come together on such a project, and we’re so grateful to have their financial support.
Dr Sharlene Greenwood, Consultant Physiotherapist for King’s College Hospital NHS Trust, and clinical lead for Kidney Beam said: “Our research is showing that the platform has been a lifeline for people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we can confidently predict it will continue to be, even in more normal times. People living with kidney disease do not receive routine provision of physical and emotional wellbeing support in the UK. Kidney Beam is a novel way to redress this inequality. I am delighted to have the support of the four largest kidney charities in place in time for even more kidney patients to access the platform to improve their health and well-being in the new year.”
Kidney Beam was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic to support people living with kidney disease who were having to shield, but we always believed the benefits would extend far beyond this. Since launching, we have seen not only Renal Rehab classes on Beam, but also Yoga, Pilates and Cardio, as well as wellbeing workshops on breathwork, sleep, facial reflexology and the psychological impact of the pandemic.
We recognise the challenges for people living with kidney disease in accessing a full spectrum of care, even more so since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to continue the live classes, on demand classes and programmes which have proved vital for our community of almost 2000 patients living with kidney disease and ultimately, for Kidney Beam to become a commissioned service on the NHS.
What can I expect from Kidney Beam in 2022?
While there are a few little changes, our main offering of live Renal Rehab classes from the specialist physiotherapists at King’s College Hospital will always be there for you. Join your fellow Beamers Monday - Thursday at 11am for our Get Active, Stay Active sessions.
Get Active, Stay Active!
This class is an interactive live session where Beamers are coached through a circuit-style routine that can be tailored to make sure you’re working at the right intensity for your activity level and health. Both standing and seated options are given to make the session accessible for all.
Beamers are encouraged to join these live classes, at least twice a week, to increase their strength, stamina, and to support both their physical and emotional health. Start each week with a Get Active session and stay motivated with fellow Beamers to finish with a Stay Active class! Of course, all Beamers are welcome to join all sessions if they like.
The Get Active, Stay Active classes are also designed to fit in around the schedule of patients who are on haemodialysis 3 times a week. Depending on their routine, Beamers can join Get Active on Monday and follow up with Stay Active on Wednesday, or they can join the Tuesday and Thursday sessions instead.
Squad Sessions
Additional live classes are ad hoc, and can be in the form of a ‘Squad’ whereby a member of the Beam Team (usually studio manager Natasha) hosts a live class in order to stream an On Demand session or program, in which all participants take part in the same On Demand class together as a community.
Programs
The Kidney Beam program page has had a refresh, with our specially designed programs split into Start Beaming; for those new to Beam or wanting a structured 12-week Renal Rehab program, and Beam Spotlight; shorter programs to introduce a new type of activity, a specific class focus, or for different treatment needs.
These programs, curated by specialist clinicians, are separated into Start Beaming; for those new to Beam or wanting a structured 12-week Renal Rehab program, and Beam Spotlight; shorter programs to introduce a new type of activity, a specific class focus, or for different treatment needs.
The 12-week Renal Rehab program from the team at King’s College Hospital, complete with both education and exercise content, provides Beamers with a fully comprehensive introduction to renal rehab. Set to be completed with two exercise classes, and one education session each week, the benefit to patients who complete this program is not only increased strength, stamina and confidence in physical activity, but also education and self-management.
Available alongside the 12-week program is an 8 Session Beginner Program with Juliet Mayes, specialist physiotherapist and researcher at King’s College Hospital. This exercise only program provides a starting point for patients who are looking to increase their activity levels, with a view to moving onto live classes, or one of our Beam Spotlight specialised programs.
On Demand Classes
As always, we continue to have a variety of On Demand classes available for all members. All our sessions are led by specialist instructors either living with or working in kidney disease, and are tailored to different interests, health needs and stages of disease. We host a variety of exercise classes including strength training, yoga, Pilates, dance and cardio fitness; and address needs such as regulating blood pressure, diabetes management and mobility, as well relaxation, pain management, and bone density improvement.