We know that there are a lot of changes for all teenagers and young people to navigate, so managing your kidney condition can just be another thing on the list!

We hope that when you transition to the adult team you will be taking steps towards independence in managing your kidney condition and feeling more confident about this change. We know this can be tricky at times, especially as your parents will have to learn to step back and trust you can do a good job! It's normal to feel a whole range of different emotions at this time. You may feel nervous, worried or scared. Or you may be sad to say goodbye to a team you know well. Others of you may find you feel excited and glad to be able to have your own discussions with your doctor and perhaps feel more in charge of decisions about your kidneys.

There are lots of people and resources to support you with this transition. The children's teams and adult kidney teams can offer advice and support and answer any questions you have. If you need advice you can contact your paediatric kidney nurses on communityrenalnurses@uhbw.nhs.uk .

You may wish to talk to your friends and family too both about the impact of your condition on your physical health and how it makes you feel. School or college teachers, tutors or counsellors may also be able to help you work out how to manage any health issues that impact school or work.

We also hold an annual young person's day in Bristol every autumn. Here you can find out more about healthy living and doing the things that are important to you. It is also a chance to meet other young people from our service who are getting ready for transition too. There are lots of activities and chances to get to know each other and the team more at this day. We will send you an invitation for this when you are old enough to attend.

There are useful websites or helplines too where you can find advice and support, or read stories from others who have transitioned to adult services.  There are lots of brilliant resources; here are a few we recommend: 

• Kidney Care UK:
• Health Talk Online
• Ready Steady Go

If things are feeling difficult and you would like to talk to someone other than your friends or family, then please get in contact with your renal team and tell them how you are feeling. There is a psychologist as part of the Paediatric Kidney Team and once you transition to adult care there are other ways to access psychological support through your team.  You could also speak to your GP or there are other places that may also be able to help. Information and support can be found at Young Minds, OTR and VitaMinds.