United Through Diabetes 2026: Diabetes A Whole Life Blueprint
Diabetes: A Whole Life Blueprint
A lifelong roadmap for integrated health, wellbeing, and diabetes management at every stage of the journey.
Welcome to Diabetes: A Whole Life Blueprint
A deep dive into the nuances of life’s journey and managing diabetes and overall health effectively in all stages and aspects of life. Taking a softer, more holistic and inspirational approach while still providing key clinical messages and positive outcomes.
Focusing on the shared lived experience and power of the diabetes community. Creating chapters covering the entire human experience from birth to the golden years.
Focusing on the " diabetes journey" to make what may be perceived as a clinical subject feel personal, supportive, holistic and a story of health and wellbeing for everyone.
Host and Chair
Professor David Strain, FRCP MD
Professor in Cardiometabolic Health, UK Parliamentary Thematic Research Lead for Health, Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, Honorary Consultant in Stroke, Geriatric and General Internal Medicine, Chair of the British Medical Association Board of Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Diabetes and Vascular Research Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
Chapter One
Foundations and the Path to Independence
Our opening chapter explores the early years of living with diabetes. From schools and nurseries through to the scary move to university and managing diabetes for the first time without mum and dad.
We explore the many transition points of paediatric type 1 care and the transition to adulthood and adult diabetes services.
Follow the lived experience of our adult panel experts and a family living with type 1 diabetes.
Dr Renuka Dias
Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist, Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital
Dr Meera Ladwa MRCP PhD
Clinical Lead for Type 1, Transition and Young Adult Diabetes
Jed, Stephanie and Harper Whitecross
Type 1 parents / Family living with type 1 diabetes
Chapter Two
The Rhythm of Womanhood
Our second chapter discusses the key topics of puberty and menstruation, pregnancy and gestational diabetes, sexual health, hormones, perimenopause and menopause.
Watch women supporting each other through honest discussion and the whole lived female experience while navigating life with all types of diabetes.
Dr Joan St John GP
Specialist in Primary Care Diabetes and Health Inequalities
Dr Anna Brackenridge
Consultant Diabetologist, Clinical Lead for Diabetes
Dawn Adams
Person Living with Type 1 Diabetes Midwife
Chris Edwards
Person Living with Type 2 Diabetes
Thank You Dexcom
A big thank you to our United Through Diabetes sponsor Dexcom.
Dexcom have spent the last 20 years innovating and developing simpler and better ways for people with type 1 diabetes to measure, track and manage their diabetes.
See which Dexcom CGM is best for you and request a free sample to experience everything it has to offer.
Chapter Three
The Strength to Speak Out
Our third episode is aimed at encouraging men to take a more active role in their health and diabetes management.
Watch for candid discussion on topics such as cardiovascular health, urological and prostate health, sexual wellbeing and addressing the psychological "armour" men often wear that prevents sharing and openness, helping to overcome the "silent" challenges of diabetes.
Addressing diabetes complications early and integrating proactive physical and mental health checks into a busy life.
Dr Mayank Patel
Consultant in Diabetes, University Hospital Southampton
Lee Calladine
DRWF Events Co-Ordinator
Chapter Four
The Heart of Wellbeing
We will look at how the constant pressure of managing diabetes and living with a long-term chronic condition can affect mental health, mindset, and emotional resilience.
Changing the focus slightly from blood glucose and addressing the very real impact of diabetes distress, diabetes burnout and the mental fatigue of 24/7 management, as well as other factors like anxiety, needle phobia, fear of hypoglycaemia, eating disorders, and adjusting to diagnosis.
How to access clinical support, self-coping strategies, the importance of peers and creating a diabetes toolkit to help maintain the mental energy required to deal with diabetes at those times when it’s easy to be overcome by it.
Professor Andrea Cameron, NTF, PFHEA
Professor of Professional Practice in Health Education
Simon McKee
Founder: Diabetes Take Control, Public Speaker
Chapter Five
Purpose and the Professional World
Now we look at the tools, rules and support available to ensure we stay well, safe and looked after in the workplace.
Our experts will guide us through occupational health and human resources guidelines, the disability at work act, driving and DVLA policies, restrictions and career barriers. We will discuss managing shiftwork or a high-pressure roles, rights, reasonable medical adjustments and appointments, and the logistics of self-care during the working day.
How to manage glucose stability during high-stress meetings, physical labour, or irregular hours, ensuring diabetes is a passenger, not the driver, of your career.
Sarah Bool
Person Living with Type 1 Diabetes Conservative Member of Parliament for South Northamptonshire
Sajeela Kershi
Person Living with Type 2 Diabetes Award-Winning Comedian
Thank You Omnipod
A big thank you to our United Through Diabetes sponsor Omnipod.
Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ: PODD), is an innovative medical device company dedicated to simplifying life for people with diabetes. The Omnipod Insulin Management System provides a unique alternative to traditional insulin delivery methods.
With its simple, wearable design, the disposable Pod provides up to three days of non-stop insulin delivery. Insulet's latest innovation, the Omnipod© 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System is a tubeless automated insulin delivery system, integrated with a continuous glucose monitor to manage blood sugar with no multiple daily injections, zero fingersticks, and is fully controlled by a compatible personal controller.
Chapter Six
Fit For The Future: NHS 10-Year Health Plan for AI, Data and Digital Transformation
In this chapter we will look at five transformative technologies that have been identified as strategic priorities by the NHS as they become embedded in clinical pathways - data, artificial intelligence, genomics, wearable technology and robotics.
Enhancements to existing systems, including a revamped NHS app, Single Patient Records and the adoption of ambient AI tools will also form part of the plan.
Professor David Strain
FRCP MD Professor in Cardiometabolic Health
Sarah Tutton
Chief Executive Officer, Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation
Lee Calladine
DRWF Events Co-Ordinator
Mike Hill
Chapter Seven
The Wisdom of Ageing Well
This final episode is a poignant way to bring the Whole Life Blueprint full circle. There is a specific kind of resilience that comes from decades of management, and shifting the focus now to "longevity with grace" sets exactly the right tone to complete our journey.
As we move into the later years, the goal often shifts from "tightest possible control" to "safety, stability, and quality of life." and we look at growing older with diabetes with longevity, grace and maintaining the very best physical and mental health possible.
Peter Davies
Type 1 Diabetes Advocate
Bethany Kelly
Lead Clinical Diabetes Specialist Nurse RN