Diabetes UK South West
Adjusting to the knowledge that you or a member of your family has diabetes takes time and it is often helpful to meet other people who live with diabetes and have been through a similar situation. They can offer understanding, help and support at an important time. A good way of finding this help is to join a local support group – one of our Diabetes UK voluntary groups.
Groups in your area
The voluntary groups in the South West region are all run voluntarily by people living with diabetes. Voluntary groups can offer you local information and support, and the chance to meet other people who live with diabetes. Voluntary groups can also offer you the opportunity to get involved in a range of activities from fundraising for diabetes research to influencing healthcare locally.
All groups welcome new members – if you'd like more information about any of the following groups please email south.west@diabetes.org.uk. We also have family support groups, which cater for children with diabetes and their parents.
Find your local group
View the full listing of groups in the South West region.
No local group?
If there isn't a voluntary group in your area the Voluntary Groups Team can provide you with help and resources to set one up – please send an email, including your full postcode, to south.west@diabetes.org.uk.
New group launches:
Meeting to set up a Diabetes UK support group in West Bristol.
A meeting was held on Thursday 9 May to explore setting up a new Diabetes UK voluntary group. This group would help to support people living with diabetes by running sessions on a Thursday afternoon every few weeks.
You are invited to come along to the next session from 2.00 pm pm on Thursday 11July when John Moore will be talking about "What Care to Expect". This will be held at Westbury on Trym Primary Care Centre, Westbury Hill, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3AA. Refreshments will be served on arrival.
Being in a Diabetes UK local group can make a big difference to how we feel about our diabetes and how we manage it. It’s a good place to learn in a relaxed atmosphere, whether from healthcare-professionals or from others living with the same condition. A local group can also help your healthcare team to improve local provision and raise awareness of diabetes in the community.
This will be an open meeting for anyone to attend. For more information, please contact Diabetes UK South West on 01823 448260 or email south.west@diabetes.org.uk .
Do please forward this to anyone else you think may be interested and, if you would like any further information about the meeting, please do not hesitate to contact me on the number above. Everyone is welcome.
The West Bristol group will become the fourth of a network of groups being developed in Bristol and the surrounding areas providing support to the 23,000 people affected by diabetes in the city. More information about the groups' activities and meeting dates can be found at www.diabetesbristol.org.uk and people can choose to attend any meeting that is convenient to them.
The next meeting of the East Bristol group is on Saturday 20th July at The Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds BS16 3TR at 2.00pm.
The next meeting of the South Bristol group is on Monday 24th June at Knowle West Health Park, Downton Road, Knowle West, Bristol BS4 1WH at 6.30pm.
The next meeting of the Central Bristol group is on Tuesday 16th July at The Sportsman's Club, 40 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5AE from 5.45pm - 8.00pm. This meeting will take the form of an informal drop-in session.