Diabetes Scotland support groups to go digital
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People with diabetes in Grampian are encouraged to join new online groups, yoga and mindfulness sessions run by Diabetes Scotland while following social distancing measures and unable to access their usual support for wellbeing.
While this time is challenging for everyone, managing a long-term condition such as diabetes on top of everything else can really take its toll. Diabetes Scotland is encouraging everyone with diabetes to pay extra attention to their physical, emotional and mental health and wants to assure people living with diabetes that it is on hand to offer support.
There are over 300,000 people living with diabetes in Scotland including over 29,500 in Grampian.
Using online video app, Zoom, digital peer support chats were launched at the beginning of April with a group for people with Type 2 diabetes and a group for young adults with Type 1 diabetes already running.
The idea is to bring together people going through similar experiences so they can offer each other support and friendship, all from the safety of their own homes.
Responding to demand, the charity hopes to offer a number of different groups for people of various ages living with, or caring for someone with, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, other types of diabetes and parents and carers of children with Type 1 diabetes.
Commenting, Angela Mitchell, National Director of Diabetes Scotland, said: “We are proud to have over 30 local groups serving communities across Scotland.
"Of course, not everyone can attend a group, especially now when we’re advised against all but essential trips out of our homes.
“We had already planned to introduce digital peer support groups this year but due to social distancing measures we brought our launch forward.
"Many people at home are feeling isolated and, if you’re also managing a long-term condition like diabetes, it can be even more challenging.
"We want to support people with diabetes in any way that we can at this time.
"As well as online peer support groups, yoga and mindfulness we also have a Helpline, online forum and the Diabetes Scotland team can be reached as we continue to work from home.”
Mindfulness and yoga are being introduced this month with sessions twice a week run by Zen yoga and mindfulness teacher Donna Booth of Vitality Retreat based in the far north of Scotland.
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly.
Mindfulness and yoga will run on Wednesdays at 6pm and Fridays at 3pm for the next four weeks.
If anyone is interested in joining a peer support group or mindfulness and yoga, contact scotland@diabetes.org.uk
