the theme of the winter 2018 london region newsletter is ... · postcode lottery in accessing the...
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The theme of the winter 2018 London Region newsletter is the “highlights of 2017”. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our wonderful volunteers who have made the year such a success.
Welcome to the Winter 2018 edition of London Region News A very big ‘thank you’ to all of you for what you have done to support people at risk of Type 2 diabetes and those living with diabetes over the last year. Because of the time and energy you give to us we were able to send volunteers to 135 awareness events across London. That adds up to a large number of people who now know about diabetes and Diabetes UK. That is aside from those of you who volunteered for the London Bridges Challenge where over 3,000 people walked raising around £270,000. There has been lots of publicity about DiRECT (Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial) in the press. You can read more about this on page xx. I know that a lot of you are interested in research and I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the Volunteers Conference. Best wishes
There has been lots of publicity about DiRECT (Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial) in the media. You can read more about this important research on page 9. I know that a lot of you are interested in research and there are two research groups that you can apply to join within this issue. There is still time to nominate your fellow volunteers for an Inspire Award. Please see page 6 on how to do this. I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the Volunteers Conference on 24 March. Best wishes, Roz
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We currently have eight vacancies on our Grants Advisory Panel and are looking to recruit people who have an interest in diabetes research. This is an opportunity to help ensure that Diabetes UK funded research is relevant and important to people with diabetes. The Grants Advisory Panel members will get the opportunity to take part in: • Helping ensure that the views of people living with diabetes are considered when deciding on
which research applications to fund • Discussing submitted research applications at meetings of the Grants Advisory Panel • Providing their views and mobilising the views of other people living with diabetes for the user
representatives who attend meetings of the Diabetes UK Research Committee It is important that the group represents the diversity of people living with diabetes. Members of group will be recruited to ensure representation of: • People with different types of diabetes • Carers or formers carers of people with diabetes • People of all ages, including young people under 35 • People from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups • Members of the Council of People with Diabetes (CHP) As a member of the Grants Advisory Panel you are asked to attend two meetings a year (in May/June and October). Where required and nominated by the group, attend and contribute at meetings of the Diabetes UK Research Committee, which assesses and prioritises research grant applications for funding. This is a voluntary role but reasonable travel expenses (and accommodation, if needed) will be reimbursed. For an application pack, email [email protected] or call 0207 424 1866. The application deadline is 5pm, 3 April and interviews (by telephone) will be held on 1 June. Successful applicants will be required to attend an induction in September and the first Grants Advisory Panel Meeting in October. For more information about the opportunity, please visit our website.
Putting Feet First is one of our longest running campaigns. For five years we have been raising awareness and pushing for changes to NHS services in order to bring an end to the thousands of potentially preventable amputations affecting people with diabetes. We have seen some great successes across the UK throughout the campaign, however, in the last couple of years, we have seen some worrying rises in amputation rates in London. The latest Public Health data showed that several areas in London now have amputation rates that are above the England average.
Flash Glucose Monitoring is an exciting piece of technology - a small sensor that you wear just under your skin. It stores your blood sugar readings and you can access them by scanning the sensor whenever you want to. Diabetes UK has reviewed scientific and clinical evidence and listened to the experiences of those using the technology and diabetes specialists in order to come up with the Diabetes UK consensus guideline. It provides recommendations on who should have access to Flash. Following a period of campaigning last year, the device was included on the national NHS Drug Tariff as of 1 November. However, local decision-makers now need to agree policies on prescribing the technology for people with diabetes in their area. Frustratingly, this will mean that the situation could be different depending on where you live. Diabetes UK is working with local health decision makers across the UK to make sure that Flash Glucose Monitoring is available to those who would benefit. Diabetes UK does not want to see a postcode lottery in accessing the technology. The good news is that in London decision-makers are working together to come up with a London-wide position. However, we do not yet know what this will look like. So far over 5,000 people have signed up to support our Flash campaign and, in London, 14 people took our first campaign action in November and spoke to their healthcare professional about the technology. If you haven’t already joined the campaign you can sign up and get more information at www.diabetes.org.uk/flash .
We will be supporting efforts to tackle these rising rates in 2018 by running local foot awareness campaigns and working with NHS decision-makers to improve footcare services. Areas particularly affected are Barking & Dagenham, City & Hackney, Haringey & Greenwich. If you live in one of these areas and would like more information or to get involved in our campaign work please do get in touch with me by emailing [email protected] .
We would like to say a big thank you to our amazing team of Event and Speaker Volunteers who were involved in 135 events across Greater London last year. The health awareness stands and talks helped to raise awareness of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, educating people about risk factors, signs and symptoms and the support we provide at Diabetes UK. Metropolitan Police, BBC, Kings College Hospital, TFL to name a few of the fantastic organisations we worked with. Our volunteers received excellent feedback. One event organiser stated: “The participants loved it so much...the majority of the women were South Asian and Somalin and would like to learn to cook healthier food as some of the women have diabetes and/or are at risk. It ended as a success. Thank you again.” None of this would be possible without our dedicated team of enthusiastic volunteers. A huge well done on a successful year and we look forward to working with you again this year. Keep your eyes peeled for more opportunities coming soon and please let us know if you are interested in getting out into your local communities to organise your own events too. We look forward to seeing / speaking to you over the next few months.
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We have some great events, fundraising and volunteering opportunities this year, including our bespoke events Swim22, The 1 Million Step challenge and The London Bridges Walk. It’s a good time to think about how you can make a difference. People living with diabetes never have a day off and our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm.
Share our vision and raise awareness and vital funds in 2018! Here are some fantastic ways you can get involved:
Ask your local School, Rotary, Church or
business to donate to Diabetes UK or if
they would like a talk from one of our
fantastic speakers
Get in touch with your local councillors
and ask them to adopt Diabetes UK as
their Charity of the Year if they became
Major.
Fundraise your way! Click here for more
info ideas and events.
Whatever the activity, I am here to support you with tips, advice and those all-important Diabetes UK materials. We have a fantastic media team who love sharing all your wonderful stories, make sure you let us know about your
On Sunday 1 October we invited supporters to join us and get sponsored to walk 10 miles from West to East London crossing the city's iconic bridges, to raise money for Diabetes UK. Over 3,000 people joined us raising over £270,000. Starting in beautiful Battersea Park before criss-crossing some of London’s most iconic brides we walked along the River Thames. We passed Big Ben and the London Eye, caught a glimpse of St Pauls as we crossed Millennium Bridge, passed Shakespeare’s Globe theatre and finished the walk crossing the stunning Tower Bridge. We look forward to announcing details of London Bridges Challenge 2018 at the start of spring. This year’s London Bridges Challenge will take place on 30 September. More information, plus registration will be available shortly at www.diabetes.org.uk/londonbridges
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Upminster golfer ends year of fundraising for Diabetes UK on a high note
The Lady Captain of Upminster Golf Club is celebrating the end of a year of fundraising for Diabetes UK, with events including a charity lunch, a Bridge evening, a quiz, a Ladies Open golf tournament, a Ladies festive lunch and a charity Golf Day. Kay Bone choose the charity because her husband, Dave, has Type 1 diabetes. She said: “Diabetes is a rotten condition - you never get a day off. It’s a constant struggle of blood tests, managing low blood sugar, the smell of insulin on your hands after changing a pump site or filling a syringe. It’s about the small everyday struggles, an unrelenting battle that people fight every day.” Kay smashed her target of raising £2,000 and ended the year at £2,700. The last fundraising events she organised were two concerts at the club in Hall Lane, Havering, which were led by the Ladies Choir. People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin. About 10 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 1. No one knows exactly what causes it, but it’s not to do with being overweight and it isn’t currently preventable. It usually affects children or young adults, starting suddenly and getting worse quickly. Type 1 diabetes is treated by daily insulin doses – taken either by injections or via an insulin pump. It is also recommended to follow a healthy diet and take regular physical activity. Charlotte Harrison-Webb, Fundraiser for Diabetes UK, said: “We were very pleased to be picked as the Upminster Golf Club charity of the year and have been thrilled at Kay’s achievements over the past 12 months. Every penny helps the fight against diabetes and to help create a future where diabetes can do no harm”.
Lady Captain Kay Bone
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Our Inspire Awards are held each year to recognise the invaluable contribution of the volunteers and groups that go above and beyond for people living with diabetes, and to thank them for their commitment. Nominating is simple. Have a look at our award categories and selection criteria and decide which award is most fitting for the nominee. Once you've chosen the category, fill in the online form making sure to give plenty of information on how the person you are nominating fits our award criteria including their activities and the difference these have made to people living with diabetes. If you would like to complete a paper version of the form, please email the volunteering team at [email protected] The deadline for nominations in London is Friday, 16 February (midnight) Nominations are now open!
Friday, February 16 at our Epsom office, places are limited so do get in touch. Brand new Induction training will be held on Thursday, March 29. Come along if you want to learn about who we are and what we do, whilst also to meeting fellow volunteers.
The Volunteer Conference 2018 is fast approaching on
Saturday, 24 March! The conference is great
opportunity to meet up with your fellow London
volunteers, network, celebrate your achievements,
hear about the latest research and take part in new
workshops!
The Conference will run from 9.30am to 4pm at the
same venue as last year - etc. Venues, 155
Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4AN. The venue is a 2-5
minute walk from Liverpool Street station which serves
the Central line, Circle line, Hammersmith and City
line, Metropolitan line, TFL Rail and mainline trains. It
is approximately 10-15 minute walk to Moorgate for
the Northern Line.
You can book your place at the conference by
registering here:
If you would prefer, you can also register over the
phone by ringing 020 7424 1116. The event is free to
attend, but please do let us know if you’re no longer
able to join us so that we can offer the space to
another volunteer, as there is a cost to the charity for
each volunteer who signs up.
Please let us know if you have any questions about the
conference. We hope to see as many of you as
possible on 24 March!
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Don’t forget to join our volunteer Facebook group ‟SE and London Volunteer network” where you can share your activities and experiences while volunteering and get to know about what other volunteers are doing.
We are proud to announce the launch of Waltham Forest Diabetes UK Group! Their next meeting will take on the last Tuesday of the month, at Addison Road Medical Practice, Comely Bank Clinic, 46 Ravenswood Road, Walthamstow, E17 9LY. For more information please contact [email protected] .
A big thank you to all for the local groups who have sent back their annual returns. If you have any questions regarding the returns or anything else, please get in touch with Krina – [email protected]
Diabetes UK is proud to announce the launch of an official Diabetes UK Medalists Facebook group, which celebrates individuals who have lived with Diabetes for 50, 60, 70 and even 80 years! Here you’re able to share you stories, experiences and wealth of knowledge. If you have received a medal from us and would like to join the group please search for ‘Diabetes UK Medalists’ on Facebook. If you haven’t received you medal, but have lived with diabetes for 50, 60, 70 or 80 years please visit our website to find out more information on eligibility.
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We love sharing our volunteer stories we’d like you all to meet George Harris. Here’s his story so far as a volunteer at Diabetes UK. “My first gig was at Yeovil College. I presented in front of around 50 students and staff, raising awareness of diabetes and spreading my story to encourage others to get involved.
“Since being in London I’ve attended a health and wellness days at TFL and the BBC. I also presented at Heathrow Police Station in front of Sergeants, Inspectors and a Chief Inspector.
“I’m striving to become a fully qualified personal trainer and specialise in diabetes. I’d like to work with big corporations inside office blocks and help people with diabetes with their health/nutrition and physical activity. “I would also like to help children affected with diabetes, talking at schools and sports clubs. I’m in contact with St Mary’s University, Roehampton and Kings College to help students and staff during their university years. My aim is to help those affected by diabetes to have a positive and fun (normal) university experience through constant contact via email and personalised one-to-one sessions”.
We welcomed nine volunteers from the South East and London to our Speaker Training earlier this month. We had a great day learning about diabetes, the work of Diabetes UK and effective public speaking skills. Thank you, and well done to our new batch of Speakers! We look forward to hearing about how you help to spread the word over the coming year.
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Dr Elizabeth Robertson, our Director of Research, said these latest results are hugely promising but it’s just the beginning:
Our scientists are busy researching a new weight management treatment, which includes a low-calorie diet, to help people put their Type 2 diabetes into remission. The study is called DiRECT, short for Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial, and it could completely change the way Type 2 diabetes is treated in the future. A year into the research and we've made a breakthrough – and we’re excited to share the news with you. The first year results are hugely promising. They show that it’s possible for some people to put their Type 2 diabetes into remission using a low-calorie, diet-based, weight management programme, delivered by their GP. Almost half (45.6%) of those who took part in the programme were in remission after a year. But what does remission actually mean? It’s when blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels are in a normal range again. This doesn’t mean diabetes has gone for good. It’s still really important for people in remission to get regular healthcare checks, so any complications can be monitored and any signs of Type 2 diabetes coming back can be caught early.
We awarded our largest ever research grant of £2.5 million to help our scientists find out if an intensive low-calorie, diet-based, weight management programme can put Type 2 diabetes into remission, and keep it there. And to test if this can be delivered entirely within the NHS.
We currently have three vacancies on our Science and Research Advisory Group and are looking to recruit people who have an interest in diabetes research from a personal, clinical or research perspective. We are looking to recruit for the following positions:
A member with Type 1 diabetes
A member with Type 2 diabetes
An Allied Healthcare Professional The group reviews the broad field of diabetes research and makes recommendations to the Diabetes UK Board of Trustees on the areas in which the Charity should focus its research effort, taking into account the Charity’s various constituencies. We welcome applicants who are enthusiastic about our work, who think strategically and who can contribute to furthering the diabetes research agenda. Through your work, and with your knowledge and experience, you will be able to contribute to the Charity’s impact on the lives of people with diabetes. For an information pack, email [email protected] or call 0207 424 1893. The application deadline is 5pm, Friday 23 March and interviews will be held by teleconference in London in May.
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“These first year findings of DiRECT demonstrate the potential to transform the lives of millions of people. We’re very encouraged by these initial results, and the building of robust evidence that remission could be achievable for some people.”
Professors Roy Taylor (left) and Mike Lean (right)
Professor Roy Taylor at Newcastle University and Professor Mike Lean at the University of Glasgow are leading the study.
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Thank you once again to the many volunteers who spread the word about diabetes and Diabetes UK across London in 2017. It’s invaluable and I look forward to your support this year. Here are some great stories which were sent to local media outlets last year - keep an eye out for similar stories this year and send in your own ideas and news.
This year Cromer Park Family Fun Day was another great success raising approx. £9,000 (with some money still coming in)! The fun day has been
running since 2014 and this year 750 people came to have fun and support Diabetes UK. A huge thanks to
everyone involved. This year Cromer Park Family Fun Day was another great success raising approx. £9,000 (with some money still coming in)! The fun day has been running since 2014 and this year 750 people came to have fun and support Diabetes UK.
A huge thanks to everyone involved.
Personal testimony: New research from Diabetes UK found that many people living with diabetes experience emotional or mental health problems as a result of living with a long term condition. Paul Gillingham from the Barking & Dagenham Local Group shared his story as a way of highlighting some of the problems which people face.
Fundraisers: A couple from West Croydon, Nicola Gregory, 23, and her boyfriend Callum Morrison, 28, raised £560 doing the London Bridges Walk after Nicola was diagnosed with Type 1 this year. They tackled 13 bridges on the River Thames, starting at Battersea Park and finishing at Tower Bridge.
Campaigners: The former Coach of Crystal Palace Football Club, Dr Ryland Morgans - who has Type 1 diabetes - plus the Captain, Jason Puncheon, who is from Croydon, backed a campaign called ‘Putting Feet First’ aimed at curbing diabetes-related amputations.
Policy-makers: Newham mum Kimberley Jasper and her son, Ben, 13, who has Type 1 diabetes, backed a campaign which called on Ministers to take action to improve support in school for children with medical conditions.
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We’re recruiting for a brand new volunteering role at Diabetes UK, Fundraising Ambassadors. We’re looking for people who are interested in raising awareness for Diabetes UK, attending cheque presentations, fundraising events and talks to promote the work of the charity. If you are interested in this role and would like to find out more, please contact Charlotte Harrison-Webb, London Regional Fundraiser at [email protected] or call 07887 455454.
Cycle 24: London to Paris: 14-16 September Ride London: 29th July Tough Mudder: various dates London West Weekend One (Henley on Thames): 28 April London West Weekend Two (Henley on Thames): 5 & 6 May London North: 7 & 8 July London South (Weekend 1): 22 September London South (Weekend 2): 29 & 30 September
The digital education team is pleased to announce that the first phase of Diabetes UK’s new education content (Learning Zone) has been completed. The Learning Zone is an online resource of videos, quizzes and animations that we’ve created for adults living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It is based on the ideas, suggestions and the day-to-day experiences of people living with diabetes from different parts of the UK. All of the content is personalised based on a range of questions we ask people when they register. You can access Learning Zone here.
A big shout out to Sian, the President of Surrey County Women’s Bowling Association at Southey Bowls Club. They organised a race night, captain’s bowls day and a charity auction and have raised an incredible £4,200! And a massive thanks to Bob from Pub Watch Camden for raising £1,000 for Diabetes UK, we were delighted to be presented with a cheque at the Hawley Arms, Camden.
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Telephone: 020 7424 1116 Email: [email protected] www.diabetes.org.uk/In_Your_Area/London/
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16 February - Speaker Training South East office 3 March – Speaker Training London 24 March - Volunteer Conference 29 March – Induction Training
ROZ ROSENBLATT
London Regional Head
RACHAEL GLOVER (@rachaelglover84)
Improving Care Manager
CORRIENE BAILEY-BEARFIELD
Senior Volunteer Development Lead
EMILY WILLIAMS
MATERNITY COVER
Volunteer Coordinator
KRINA CHAUHAN
Group Liaison Officer
NADIA BENARDOUT/
BECKA MASKELL
Regional Support Officer
HELEN RILEY (@diabetesLondon)
Regional Media Officer
LAURA CROW
Area Fundraising Manager
CHARLOTTE HARRISON-WEBB
Regional Fundraiser
TERESA STRANGE
Regional Fundraiser
LAUREN BAKER
Regional Fundraiser
STEPHEN SOOKSALEE
Regional Fundraising Administrator
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I joined the London Regional Team in January 2018 but I’ve been at Diabetes UK for three years working in the areas of Supporter Care and Advocacy. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into the role of Volunteer Coordinator and getting to know our fantastic volunteers and groups that do such amazing work for people living with diabetes. I will be covering Emma Curran whilst she is on maternity leave until October.
Diabetes UK London Region
Wells Lawrence House, 126 Back Church Lane London, E1 1FH
Tel 020 7424 1116 Email [email protected]
Web www.diabetes.org.uk/In_Your_Area/London
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