Published on 16 July 2024

DRWF team up with Over the Wall to provide residential camp for young people living with type 1 diabetes and their families.

DRWF in partnership with Over The Wall recently welcomed families with young children with type 1 diabetes to join us for our annual residential T1D Wellness Family Camp.

This year’s event was held from 10th to 12th May at NAYC and ACUK (Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs and Action Centres UK) at Whitemoor Lakes, Staffordshire.

The original plan was for 60 campers to be able to participate but due to demand the maximum capacity was increased to 80.

Lee Calladine, DRWF Event Co-ordinator, said: “It was a joy to work with the Over the Wall team again this year to devise such a great programme for the families.

“Camp is a vital and much needed outlet, a place for the children and parents to meet other families living with type 1 diabetes, be in a safe space with each other to share their journey so far, talk about their experiences, frustrations, fears, successes and hopes, learn from other families, make new friends for life and above all, just have fun with other people who get it and understand what it takes to live life with type 1 diabetes.” 

One parent said: “We would like to say what an amazing weekend we all had at camp last week. Our daughter wanted to come to meet other young people her age with type 1 diabetes, which she did. The camp was absolutely fantastic and fun for all the family. Our daughter has begged us to apply to come back again for next time/next year.”

Over the weekend the children and their families took part in a number of fun and educational activity sessions.

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The camp team and volunteers led all the children in a fun DRWF Dance for Diabetes hour where they practiced the steps and moves before putting it all together for the dance finale. Mums and dads were also given Dance for Diabetes packs to take home and share with their children's schools to encourage them to take part, raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and vital funds for charity.

DRWF volunteer and registered dietitian Lisa Poole delivered a dedicated session for the parents focussing on diet and nutrition and making healthy choices to help manage the children's type 1 diabetes, improve blood-glucose levels, reduce hypos and hypers, avoid DKA and improve overall health. 

On Sunday morning all the families enjoyed some creative workshops where we encouraged them to create their ‘Perfect Diabetes Holiday or Festival’. We ended up with some amazing and fun artwork showing the children’s ideal Christmas, Eid, Hannukah, Diwali and even a snowman enjoying a surfing holiday at the beach wearing his insulin pump. 

We also had a creative workshop where we asked the children to envisage a diabetes creature or character. Oh, my what scary, funny, colourful and intriguing pictures were displayed at the end. There were definitely some very creative minds at camp. 

For more details about upcoming DRWF events click here

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