DRWF Events: United Through Diabetes web event series 2026
Diabetes – A Whole Life Blueprint will provide a lifelong roadmap for integrated health, wellbeing, and diabetes management at every stage of the journey.
Following on from our hugely successful United Through Diabetes events launched in 2023, we are excited to continue and evolve our educational programme with even more content for you to access, learn and empower you in your diabetes management.
Inform. Inspire. Empower.
At the heart of this year’s United Through Diabetes educational event programme is an online series of webinars with the title Diabetes – A Whole Life Blueprint.
Diabetes – A Whole Life Blueprint series theme
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.
Chapter One: Foundations and the Path to Independence
Our journey begins with early years. From birth, nursery and toddlerhood to teens and growing pains and then through the formative years of school and exams and the exciting and scary move to college, university and those first times living away from family and home and being responsible for your own diabetes management without mum and dad.
We will explore the many transition points of paediatric type 1 diabetes care and the transition to the adult diabetes service and all the changes that come with the change to adulthood.
Consideration of the child with type 1 diabetes, the impact, challenges and role of parents, family members, teachers and the healthcare professionals involved in their care.
Following the lived experience of our adult panel experts and guest family living with type 1 diabetes, considering the road ahead and what that journey may bring.
Guest speakers for this session:
Dr Renuka Dias
Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist at Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital; Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at University of Birmingham; Clinical lead for Diabetes and co-lead for the National highly specialised service for Wolfram Syndrome (Children) in Birmingham
Kelly Carden
Person living with type 1 diabetes; Diabetes Specialist Nurse – Young Adult Outreach at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Rose Stewart
National Diabetes Psychology Lead; Consultant Clinical Psychologist; Author, Lecturer and Researcher at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Dr Meera Ladwa MRCP PhD
Clinical Lead for Type 1, Transition and Young Adult Diabetes at Newham University Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust; Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, QMUL
Jed, Stephanie and Harper Whitecross
Type 1 parents / family living with type 1 diabetes. Harper, aged four, was diagnosed in 2025.
The series is produced by DRWF in partnership with Millstream Productions.
The series will be hosted and chaired by 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 at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
Chapter Two: The Rhythm of Womanhood
Moving to female health and the key topics of puberty and menstruation, pregnancy and gestational diabetes, sexual health, hormones, perimenopause and menopause.
Women supporting each other though honest discussion and the whole lived female experience while navigating life with all types of diabetes.
Guest speakers for this session:
Dr Joan St John
GP – Specialist in Primary Care Diabetes and Health Inequalities, Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust; Clinical Advisor to Diabetes Africa; co-author of Carbs & Cals World Foods; Diabetes UK Clinical Champion
Dawn Adams
Person living with type 1 diabetes; Midwife at The Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Craigavon Area Hospital, Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, Lurgan Hospital and South Tyrone Hospital as well as Armagh Community Hospital and St Luke's Hospital in Armagh, Queens University Belfast
Dr Anna Brackenridge
Consultant Diabetologist; Clinical Lead for Diabetes; Diabetes in Pregnancy Clinic at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust Lead
Christine Edwards
Person living with type 2 diabetes; DRWF Volunteer and Supporter; DRWF Lay Editorial Board Member; Diabetes Advocate and Speaker
Chapter Three: The Strength to Speak Out
Focusing now on men’s Health. Encouraging men to take an even more active role in their overall health and diabetes management.
Facilitating 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.
Guest speakers for this session:
Dr Mayank Patel
Consultant in Diabetes, University Hospital Southampton; Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, University of Southampton; Quality in Care Award Winner – Outstanding Educator in Diabetes; member of the DRWF Editorial Advisory Board
Daniel Newman
Person living with type 1 diabetes; Multi-Award-Winning Patient Engagement Leader and Consultant; Keynote Speaker; Lived Experience Advocate; Clinical Trial Strategy; Championing Inclusive Research; EUPATI (European Patients' Academy) Fellow; Evidence-Based Hope
Arshad Siddat
Men’s Shed Volunteer and person living with diabetes
Plus more to be confirmed
Chapter Four: The Heart of Wellbeing
In this heartfelt and essential addition to the series. We shift the focus from “data points” to “soul care” recognising that the person behind the glucose monitor is far more important than the numbers on the screen.
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.
Guest speakers for this session
Professor Andrea Cameron, NTF, PFHEA
Professor of Professional Practice in Health Education, Vice-Principal (Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences), Intellectual Lead for Teaching and Learning at Abertay University Dundee
Nina Puddefoot
Master Practitioner and Certified NLP Trainer and Development Life Coach; DRWF Diabetes Wellness, News author
Simon McKee
Founder Diabetes Take Control; Public Speaker; Keynote Speaker; Corporate Workshop and Speaker; Toastmaster UK; Professional Speaking Association
Claire Levy
Person living with type 2 diabetes/LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults); Public Relations and Communications at DRWF
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.
Guest speakers for this session:
Katie Hards
Lead Diabetes Nurse Specialist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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; Writer; Actor; Activist
Chapter Six: Fit For The Future
NHS 10-Year Health Plan for AI (artificial intelligence), 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.
This transformative era will see NHS Trusts prioritise robust data governance, the implementation of clear data sharing agreements, and increased safeguards - particularly where third parties such as app developers, wearable tech providers, and AI vendors are involved in large-scale processing of sensitive health data.
In addition, intellectual property rights will be a key negotiating point for collaborations between NHS Trusts and software providers, especially as technology becomes a more natural part of the patient experience.
Guest speakers for this session:
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 at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
Sarah Tutton
Chief Executive Officer at DRWF
Chapter Seven: The Wisdom of Ageing Well
This final episode is a poignant way to bring the Diabetes – 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.
We will explore how management goals shift as we age and he importance of prioritising safety, cognitive health, and independence.
We will delve into simplifying complex medication regimens and using technology to prevent hypos (hypoglycaemia – low blood glucose levels), hypers (hyperglycaemia – high blood glucose levels) and DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis), ensuring that later life is defined by quality and connection.
Guest speakers for this session:
Dr Giuseppe Maltese
MRCP (Diabetes & Endocrinology), FRCP, PhD, FHEA, Consultant in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Geriatric Medicine at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals
Bethany Kelly
Lead Clinical Diabetes Specialist Nurse RN, Queens Nurse, MSc, Independent Prescriber, Professional Nurse Advocate; Trend Diabetes Committee Member; DRWF Editorial Advisory Board Member
Peter Davies
Type 1 Diabetes Advocate; Inspirational Speaker; 70 years living with type 1 diabetes
Christine Edwards
Person living with type 2 diabetes; DRWF Volunteer and Supporter; Lay Member of the DRWF Editorial Advisory Board; Diabetes Advocate and Speaker
More information at the DRWF Events page here
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