Welcome to Diabetes and Me
Diabetes UK is working harder than ever to connect with local communities and make sure people with diabetes have access to the services and care they deserve. The Diabetes and Me project works closely with the South Asian communities in Scotland, and with the help of our committed volunteers, strive to connect with as many people as possible in the languages and methods they prefer.
The Diabetes and Me project raises awareness of Diabetes UK and its key messages within South Asian communities living in Scotland. This is done through one-to-one interaction, support group activities, participation at community events and publicity.
2013 is the third year of the project, and we have reached diverse communities in Glasgow, Fife and Edinburgh, catering our information and engagement methods to interact effectively with Asian communities, African communities, people with learning difficulties etc.
This year we hope to reach more people who are newly diagnosed and at high risk and support them with their diabetes care and management. We are also looking to increase the number of trained volunteers so we can widen our reach.
The project is keen on contributing to research studies and community engagement models by providing feedback on our experiences and learning. Click here for our Project Summary 2012.
For further information contact Prajapa.seneviratne@diabetes.org.uk
Resources
The information on this page and the downloads are all resources we have developed to support self management. The Diabetes and Me project organises groups who meet regularly to use these resources to support their self management and self motivation. Even if you are not involved in the project, you might still find some of these resources and tools useful.
Remember to contact your GP or other Healthcare Professional before making any significant changes to your diet or the physical activity you take.
If you have any questions about your diabetes, diet, lifestyle, or physical activity you can call the Careline on 0845 1202960, 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday to talk to one of our trained counsellors. We welcome calls from non-English speakers – all we need is your name, phone number and the language you speak and someone will call you back.
Healthcare card
This is a 2 sided document. It gives you one place to record information which your healthcare team will give you at your appointments. You can use it to keep a note of the results of the test you have when you visit your Doctor or Healthcare Professional who is supporting your diabetes. You can take it with you whenever you attend an appointment and record the results of your various checks, for example your weight, blood pressure or your eyes. It also gives you space to record your medications and when you should take them.
<Healthcare card>
Blood testing - basic record and the daily blood testing charts
Not everyone with diabetes checks their own blood sugar levels. And people who do check their blood sugar levels may check them more or less frequently. We have provided two different tables which you can use, depending on your own needs. The basic record will be useful to you if you check your blood sugar level less frequently. The day to day chart is will be useful to you if you check your blood sugar levels throughout the day.
<Blood testing card – basic record and the Blood testing charts >
Physical activity & daily food chart
This chart is useful if you want to keep a note of what you eat and what activity you do each day. This might be useful for you to help to look at what you eat, if you want to start making healthy changes to your diet. You could also fill this in before you have an appointment with a Dietician, so you can discuss your eating habits with them. Noting your physical activity, will also help you see where you might want to build in more activity.
<Physical activity & daily food chart>
Healthy eating goals, Healthy weight goals and Taking my medication goals
These are all sheets which you can use to set yourself manageable goals to help you do things to manage your diabetes. So you might set yourself a monthly goal to eat less fatty foods, or to go for a walk twice a week, then you can use these sheets to see how you have done.
It is best to take small steps gradually rather than to trying to change everything at once. If you don't meet your monthly goal, don't worry about it, just set a new goal for the next month and try again.
<Healthy eating goals>
<Healthy weight goals>
<Taking my medication goals>
Emotional wellbeing
It is important to recognise your own feelings when you are managing your diabetes. You can use these sheets to note down anything you have concerns about, or how you are feeling. You can use the sheet to think about who you could speak to about your concerns. You do not need to share this with anyone, but sometime writing things down can help you think through the problem.
<My emotional concerns>
Other sources of information
Diabetes UK produces a range of information leaflets about diabetes, with some information available in a range of languages.
• To see all the leaflets we have in hard copy and for download, click here. Some resources are free and some have a charge.
• To see the range of leaflets we produce in difference languages, click here
• To access the information about Fasting and Diabetes in Urdu, click here
