Speak to someone like you
Want to chat to someone who understands what you’re experiencing as a kinship carer? Our specially trained kinship carer volunteers are here to listen through our free Someone Like Me service.
Due to exceptionally high demand and low numbers of volunteers, there is still a waiting list for Someone Like Me.
We’re very sorry for any convenience and we will match you as soon as possible.
If you think you have the time to volunteer to support other kinship carers, find out more how to get involved.
Talk to another kinship carer through our Someone Like Me service
We all have good days and bad days. We know that being a kinship carer can be hugely rewarding but sometimes emotionally tough. Through our Someone Like Me service we match you with another kinship carer, someone who can listen, understand and support you.
You can talk about your current experience and any issues you’re facing. All our volunteers are, or have been, kinship carers themselves so know the issues and difficulties you might be facing.
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"It was a pleasure to talk with someone like me, I felt more motivated especially when I told her about going back to work. She lifted my spirits and I would like to talk to her again. Thank you for coming up with such a thoughtful way of support. "
What can I use the Someone Like Me peer support service for?
Whether you have just taken on a kinship child or children, or have been looking after them for a while and are going through a difficult patch, you can use the service to talk to a trained volunteer about your situation and how you are feeling.
Our volunteers are trained to listen and provide emotional support. If you need any advice regarding your circumstances, they will refer you back to the Advice Line.
It’s important to note that our Someone Like Me service is not a counselling or mental health service.
The service is available for kinship carers living in England and Wales.
How is it different to the Kinship advice service?
Our Kinship advice service is staffed by professional advisers who are trained in the provision of specialist advice on a wide range of issues.
Our Someone Like Me volunteers cannot provide advice but are there to help other kinship carers by offering emotional support and, where appropriate, sharing experiences and ways of coping with some of the challenges being a kinship carer brings.
Is the service confidential?
Someone Like Me is completely confidential unless there are concerns about the safety of an individual. In such circumstances it may be necessary to share information with a third party but, wherever possible, we will seek consent to do so.
How does Someone Like Me work?
Fill in our online form and you should be matched with another kinship carer within at least 10 working days. Our volunteers use a special telephone system which means that the number they call you on will be withheld. They’ll try and ring you on a time and day that works for you.
Calls can be made any day of the week (usually Monday to Friday), at a time that is convenient to you and when there is a volunteer available.
You’ll be able to speak to your matched kinship carer for up to three phone calls.
How can I sign up for the Someone Like Me peer support service?
It’s very easy, fill out the form below and we’ll try and match you based on your preferences.
Looking for advice and information?
We have the only dedicated advice team for kinship carers in England and Wales. Get practical advice and information on a range of topics.
Get advice and information