DRWF Fundraising: Grant secured from Nationwide for project to create information video resources on autism and diabetes
Nationwide present DRWF with cheque towards project to fund educational video series.
DRWF were delighted recently to receive a cheque for £10,000 from Nationwide Building Society as part of their Colleague Grants 2026 programme.
DRWF recently announced details of an innovative new information campaign to educate and spread awareness about autism and diabetes.
As part of the awards programme Nationwide have funded more than £1 million to 115 charities supporting vital work in communities across the UK.
Sarah Tutton, Chief Executive at DRWF, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded Nationwide Building Society Colleague Grants funding, thanks to a nomination from Jed Whitecross, whose family has been part of the DRWF community since his daughter's type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Knowing that our support has made a difference to their family means a great deal to us.
“This funding will support the development of accessible video resources for autistic people living with diabetes, helping us reach and support even more people in ways that meet their individual needs.
“Thank you to Jed and to Nationwide for making this possible.”
Picture: Jed Whitecross, Branch Manager at Nationwide Building Society in Totton presents a Colleague Grants cheque to Sarah Tutton, DRWF Chief Executive at the Nationwide branch in Havant, Hampshire
Jed Whitecross, Branch Manager at Nationwide Building Society in Totton, said: “I am incredibly proud to support DRWF and grateful to Nationwide’s Colleague Grant Programme for recognising the fantastic work they do. As a family, we have experienced first-hand the positive impact of their support, and I am delighted that this funding will help DRWF reach and support even more people living with diabetes.”
Working in collaboration with Autek, a series of educational videos will be produced with themes including lifestyle and technology for autistic people living with diabetes.
Together we will be making a difference to lives in our community.
Steve Bond, Director at Autek, said: “As an autistic person diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I know just how difficult it can be to absorb the information that charities and professionals share on the subject of living with diabetes. Working with DRWF has been pivotal in progressing this agenda of autism and diabetes, and together we have produced insight for both professionals and autistic people around some of the unique challenges that we face.
“The videos funded by the kind support of Nationwide Colleague Grants will continue to develop this agenda. The videos will be produced by Autek CIC, a social enterprise that employs neurodivergent film makers, and will create new ways of sharing clinically valid information that is accessible for neurodivergent people. And in doing so, we aim to improve how our community understand and live well with diabetes.”
The videos are scheduled to be launched early next year to coincide with Autism Acceptance Week, starting from 31st March to 6th April. The period includes World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April.
Earlier this year, DRWF in collaboration with Autek CIC published a report following a consultation into the challenges faced by autistic people managing diabetes, including type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
Read the full report from DRWF and Autek CIC here
DRWF and Autek partnered with the aim of understanding more about the intersection of autism and diabetes, both from a perspective of specific challenges faced by this group of people, and from the perspective of what works. For example, once autistic people form a new routine around diet and exercise for diabetes, this becomes a lifelong change.
The aim of the collaboration, alongside other partner organisations, is to create a suite of educational videos that improve understanding of autism and diabetes, that can be used both with professionals who support autistic people living with diabetes, and autistic people themselves.
Read more Talking to people with diabetes and autism to understand their specialist care needs
DRWF Podcast: “Nothing was helping me” – why we are raising awareness about diabetes and autism
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