Andy began volunteering with us in early 2013. He lives with Type 1 diabetes and heard about the work that Diabetes UK does locally from his Diabetes Specialist Nurse, when taking part in a DAFNE diabetes education course, and wanted to see how he could help out.
As well as writing amonthly piece for the Diabetes UK blog site, about his day-to-day experience of living with Type 1 diabetes, he’s also an active volunteer in his local community. Andy has been chairman of the Sheffield Group of Diabetes UK for almost three years. He's also been trained to deliver ‘Know your Risk’ assessments, and currently sits on the Council for People living with Diabetes (CPD).
In May 2015, we asked Andy and three other active volunteers to represent Diabetes UK at the Royal Garden party in Buckingham Palace.
I got the invitation as a result of my volunteering with Sheffield local group. Attending the event was a somewhat surreal experience; walking through the front gates of the Palace, the courtyard and into the Royal gardens! We explored the gardens before Her Majesty arrived, and lined up for her to talk to a number of guests, before afternoon tea was served in the Royal Tea Tent.
I feel incredibly lucky to have been chosen. It was a real ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity - something I won’t forget in a hurry!
