Speak to someone like you
Who better to understand what it’s like to be a kinship carer, than a kinship carer? Sometimes you just want to talk to someone like you. About the highs, the lows, the challenges and the frustrations. And everything in-between. Discover how our Someone Like Me service can help.
We know that being a kinship carer is extremely rewarding, but it doesn’t take away from it sometimes being really tough too. We all have good days, but we also all have bad days. And that’s where Someone Like Me can help you.
Someone Like Me is a free service where you can speak to a specially trained kinship carer volunteer on the phone. Someone who can listen, understand and support you. 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.
Our Someone Like Me provides emotional support, but it is not a counselling or advice service. If you’re looking for mental health support or counselling, take a look at our helpful organisations guide for other organisations who might be able to help. If you need advice, you can contact our advice team.
How does Someone Like Me work?
Any kinship carer in England and Wales can join Someone Like Me. You can register by completing our registration form. We aim to match you with another kinship carer in 10 working days.
Once you’re matched, a convenient time to have your first call will be arranged. Calls can be made Monday to Friday, at a time that works for you and when there is a volunteer available.
Our volunteers use a special telephone system which means that the number they call you on will be withheld.
You can have up to 3 phone calls with the volunteer that you have been matched with.
"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. "
A kinship carer who used our Someone Like Me service
Frequently asked questions
Our 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.
The service 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.
We always welcome new volunteers. If you think you have the time to volunteer to support other kinship carers, find out how to get involved.
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Fill out the form below and we’ll match you as best as we can, based on your preferences.
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