On Saturday 19th of May Diabetes UK staged a meeting which brought together a group of 20 inspirational and determined people with diabetes, aged between 16 and 30, from all areas of the United Kingdom, to become the Young Leaders. I was very pleased to be a part of this group.
There were a variety of characters amongst the 20 young leaders to be, each with different ideas and experiences to share in a young group that has the potential to raise awareness to diabetes amongst the entire ‘in-between’ category of those older than the childhood care years but under the mature age range, and ultimately help and improve healthcare for young adult diabetics throughout the UK, as well as provide a social impact.
Plans were discussed and developed in groups, and a key one which everyone appeared to be in an agreement with was creating PACKS to be handed out by the NHS for each newly diagnosed young diabetic in the UK, with Diabetes UK’s backing this is a real possibility, something which can bring young people into life as a diabetic with more of a cushion, showing that diabetes is not the end of anything, that the care is there and it can be controlled, and above all that there are others in the same boat who are able to be contacted – and that fun can be provided to it as well whilst learning more.
By fun, we also discussed event ideas, such as weekend trips away and holiday ideas, where young people with diabetes can come together and talk about everything in a relaxed environment, meet new people who share the same main issue in their lives, diabetes, and all the while go out and enjoy themselves.
It was just the start of future plans, however, I get the feeling that a lot of positives can come from this for all people with diabetes aged from 16-30, and that’s not to say for those outside of that age range as well. We will slowly make good improvements for care and lifestyles for those with diabetes here in the UK!