Diabetes UK Northern Ireland has been successful in securing funding from the National Lottery Community Fund - Empowering Young People (formerly known as the Big Lottery Fund NI) to deliver a new project for young people aged 11-25 years living with type 1 diabetes in Northern Ireland.
Over five years, we will run a range of activities that will help young people boost their confidence and emotional wellbeing in managing type 1 diabetes. We will also connect with other young people living with type 1 diabetes, build a peer support network and help young people to influence the way healthcare services are provided for young people.
WE ARE TYPE 1!
Designed and created by young people living with type 1 diabetes, this youth work programme brings young people together to share their stories of living with type 1, improve their understanding of diabetes and its effects, and to grow in confidence to better manage their condition. The themes of the programme are:
- Introduction to diabetes - your hopes and fears
- Diabetes distress and diabetes burnout
- Self-care and improving your mental health
- Challenging the stigma of diabetes
- HCP Session - your chance to ask the important questions that are always on your mind
- 'From Diagnosis to Today...' a creative session looking back at those important moments in your life which make you special.
For more information please contact us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or email our youth work team at ourlivesourvoices@diabetes.org.uk.
Take the lead for type 1 diabetes
As a young person living with type 1 diabetes, you are central to the success of this project. We're asking you to take the lead on the project, help us plan and design these activities and tell us what matters most to young people.
Over the last 3 years we have recruited our volunteer young leaders (aged 13-25 years) from across Northern Ireland who have taken part in training to allow them to run their own programmes and activities and be able to support other young people living with type 1, their families and their health care professionals all whilst creating a world of better understanding.
They chat daily and meet regularly to plan and deliver the activities and events they believe will help others understand what it is like to live with type one diabetes. Young Leaders are also partners on the National Steering Group to help us achieve our aims and objectives.Â
The project will also involve working with other mental health support organisations to develop relationships with healthcare professionals, to improve care for those who live with type 1 diabetes.Â
Get in touchÂ
If you know anyone who lives with or is affected by type 1 diabetes, and is aged between 13 and 25 years, then ask them to get in touch through our social media pages above or email ourlivesourvoices@diabetes.org.uk and we will respond within the next working day.
Positives of Living with diabetes
Our Lives Our Voices young leaders here in Northern Ireland have decided it was time to show their diabetes story in a positive way, showing what they've learned from living with type 1 and focusing on the good that has come from being part of the project.
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Please note: We may collect your photographic images/videos during the Our lives, Our Voices Programme. If you do not want us to capture and process your information in this way, please inform the organisers. We will contact you for your consent before using your photographic images/video.
Working in partnership with AWARE and Action Mental Health and supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.
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