Dear Salbone

Thank you for your question about our diabetes events. 

I'm the Event Co-ordinator for the charity and my main focus is to provide a series of events throughout the year that are aimed at people with diabetes, people that have an interest in diabetes and healthcare professionals that want to provide added educational support for their patients.

I organise a range of events, such as the "Active with Diabetes" Rambling Holiday, which involves a group of DRWF members visiting a different UK location each year to undertake some active walks led by a Ramblers guide.  The purpose of this event is to promote exercise and healthy living and to give delegates a taste of the sort of exercise they can do on an everyday basis.

We also hold a Diabetes Wellness Weekend each year, which is a residential Friday to Monday event. Over the course of the weekend, delegates enjoy a programme of talks and presentations from healthcare professionals about many aspects of diabetes and how to improve your self care regimen. The weekend also involves gentle exercise sessions, such as Tai Chi, Pilates and Aquacise. Exhibitors from the different pharmaceutical companies, to give you some added information and support, also join us.

Our Diabetes Wellness Days are much like the weekends, but condensed into one day. We usually focus on one or two key topics, such as diet, exercise, looking after you feet, looking after your eyes, self-medicating and day-to-day management etc. The days are always facilitated by members of the local diabetes healthcare team and include lunch and refreshments.

Whichever event you decide to attend, you will find it informative, interactive and enlightening. It is my hope that you will go home with a much better understanding of diabetes and how to live with it. The events are always presented in a friendly and supportive environment. They are very informal and relaxed, giving you the chance to meet other people with diabetes and speak one on one to the visiting healthcare teams. These events are designed for you. I have diabetes myself, so I know what sort of things you will want to learn, ask and find out about. Many people come back year after year to our events and have become great friends and supporters. I also know that many of our delegates have made friends with each other and also pass the knowledge they have learned on to others.

As well as the learning side, the events are also a chance to get away and experience something new. I hope you decide to join us at one of them.