10 Nov LD Diabetes Champion Coffee Morning
The Diabetes Champion Community Network is working on building the network and recruiting champions.
We hold monthly meetings with guest speakers, training and discussion opportunities. This exciting project has been funded to improve the care the diabetes care of people with a learning disability (LD) across Mid and South Essex. Our next coffee morning is being held virtually next Thursday 17th November at 11am. We have a member of the podiatry team from Provide to talk and present on foot care. If you would like to attend, please join by using the link below, reply to this email and I will send the MS Teams invite or use the attached poster to scan the QR code or click the link.
Diabetes is significantly more prevalent in people with learning disabilities than in the general population. It is estimated that there are around 400 with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in the Mid and South Essex LD community. Their learning disability means they have a significantly reduced ability to understand and manage their diabetes. We are reaching out to you as you are likely to be supporting people with diabetes and a learning disability.
The new Diabetes Champions Network seeks to recruit 40 Volunteer Diabetes Champions across Mid and South Essex. These champions will receive support, encouragement, education and signposting around diabetes to the individuals they provide care for. The project serves to tackle health inequalities and improve health outcomes.
The Diabetes Champions will include:
- Interested volunteers
- Care and Healthcare Professionals
- Support workers and carers
- Diabetes Specialists
- Family members
- Friends
- Social Prescribers
- Patients
- GP and PCN staff members
Diabetes Champions do not need to be diabetes specialists or have specialist knowledge of working with people with learning disabilities as support will be given.
In addition, we like you to reach out to the support circle around any patients with learning disabilities and diabetes and encourage them to get involved in the network.
We have held two education day events this year that were ran collbratively with Essex County Council, Diabetes UK and MSE ICB. The events were fully funded, interactive and accessible for patients with learning disabilities and their support cirle. We hope to run futher events in the new year.
