Winner
Camp for Adults with Type 1 Diabetes by League of Diabetes
by Diathlete registered charity
Executive Summary
The League of Diabetes (LOD) Camp for adults with type 1 diabetes is a 3-day residential that includes outdoor activities, educational sessions, and opportunities to hear stories from others living with T1D. Organized by Diathlete charity, the camp aims to foster a supportive community for adults managing T1D.
The first camp for young adults was held in 2019. In 2024 the camp is expecting 50 people and we have teamed up with local NHS teams. After the camp, some participants discussed and start diabetes technology, and experienced improvement in acceptance and reduced feelings of loneliness.
Judges’ comments:
“Diathlete’s work was fresh and new. It had excellent innovation and was immersive, with strong equality and diversity elements. It was also brilliant to see the programme was picked up by young adults, a tough group to reach. Overall, well thought through, well put together and the judges loved it!”
Highly Commended
Our Lives, Our Voices Type 1 Young Persons Project
by Diabetes UK Northern Ireland
Executive Summary
The Our Lives Our Voices (OLOV) project was funded through the Empowering Young People Lottery Fund. It aimed to support and empower young people (11-25 years old) in Northern Ireland living with type 1 diabetes. The four main pillars of support included confidence building; peer support; wellbeing programmes; and improving relationships with healthcare professionals.
OLOV was led by young people, supported by Diabetes UK, and worked in partnership with local mental health organisations, AWARE and Action Mental Health.
From the success achieved through OLOV, funding was secured enabling a UK-wide delivery of a similar youth-based project called ‘Together Type One’.
Judges’ comments:
“The judges liked that Diabetes UK Northern Ireland’s work was a whole country-wide peer support programme and that it was funded for a further five years. It had great collaboration with mental health charities and the results demonstrated that individuals are embracing the project. It was just what young people with T1 needed.”
Finalist
Podding Peer Support
by Podding Peer Support
Executive Summary
Podding Peer Support began in February 2023 as a way for people (living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland) using or interested in Omnipod to connect and support one another.
Our amazing community has an active WhatsApp group called ‘The Omnipod Squad’ which now has
over 50 members. The group also meets on a monthly basis online and in person, and has provided benefit to individual users, as well as to the local hospital diabetes team. Its success has brought forward plans to set up and run other local insulin pump specific peer support groups.
Judges’ comments:
“‘Podding Peer Support’ was a great idea, run by volunteers. It was fantastic that the patients are the ones providing peer support, so addressing issues in a way that is understood by all concerned.”
Finalist
The Highs & Lows Support Group
by University Hospitals of Leicester Children’s Diabetes Team
The need for this community support came after hearing so many patients and families didn’t know anyone else who understood the burden that diabetes brings. The group helps them feel supported, included and understood. There’s a wide range of events such as bowling, soft play, mini golf and picnics. The impact’s very positive from both parents finding the compassion and understanding shown from other parents’ invaluable, and the children find meeting others with diabetes comforting. It also help’s expose young people and families to Diabetes technology in a fun and social environment away from their clinical care.
Judges’ comments:
“The Highs & Lows Support Group’ was a strong project with powerful user feedback. The judges liked that this supported children and their families, with regular events that included the wider family of patients.”
