Our 2017 Type 1 Event programme is set to be a big one and to support this we need more fantastic volunteers. If you are a healthcare professional or in training, these events offer an invaluable, all expenses paid opportunity to gain experience of diabetes outside a clinical setting.
Why support a Type 1 Event?
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you can meet key requirements in your professional development and gain greater insight into the issues facing children, young people and families with diabetes in their day-to-day lives.
At every event I learn something new. I think that this would be the case for all healthcare professionals, however experienced in the field of diabetes. Working in a clinical setting is a different kettle of fish to a Diabetes UK Care Event and volunteering can really open your eyes to some unexpected issues.
Diabetes Specialist Dietitian
The benefits to volunteering on a Type 1 Event
Healthcare professional volunteers, of all levels of experience, find that they learn something and gain every time they volunteer. The Type 1 Events are a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in the following areas:
- Insulin Dose Adjustment in Multiple Daily Injection (MDI) regimes
- Carbohydrate counting
- Insulin Pump Therapy
- Diabetes management in a 'real life' setting
- Effects of physical activity on blood glucose levels
If you already have experience in these areas, then you can further develop your skills by sharing your expertise with other healthcare professionals and children attending the events.
Revalidation
Diabetes UK Type 1 Events are now proud to announce that we are able to provide revalidation templates for Doctors and Nurses attending our events.
- Feedback from colleagues from the event on practice
- Certificate of participation
- Templates for reflective discussions and reflective accounts provided on all of our events
- Standardised hours dependent on role (i.e. Senior Nurse vs. Nurse)
We are also happy to provide you with references, certificates or letters of recommendation outlining the skills and experience gained from volunteering on the events.
How can you help?
Our events cannot run without doctors, nurses and dietitians. Diabetes UK Type 1 Events are far more than a respite holiday: they are an informal learning opportunity for children with diabetes. This is why we ensure we have a team of knowledgeable and experienced healthcare professionals supported by volunteers who are keen to develop their understanding of diabetes.
About a month after the event I spoke to a PDSN at a local diabetes network day. She fed back to me that two of her young patients had attended a week-long children's event and had a fantastic time. They came back carbohydrate counting, which they previously had never managed. That's what I call success!
Paediatric Diabetes Registrar
As well as the benefits volunteering can give to your professional development, seeing the children and families gain confidence in their ability to self-manage diabetes is extremely rewarding.
What support do we provide?
We provide clear guidelines, an Information session and Preparation Day and you will be supported by the Diabetes UK Events Team. We can also offer you support in any application for study leave to attend our events.
You will be given appropriate training for you role, which will be led by senior volunteers who have many years of experience running the events.
If you would like to find out more about volunteering on a Diabetes UK Type 1 Event, you can have a chat with us and attend a Volunteer Information session – it’s a chance to ask any questions you may have and find out more about how an event runs. Get in touch with the Events team on email: eventsteam@diabetes.org.uk or call: 0345 123 2399 if this is something you would like to do.
See what other volunteers have said...
Hear whySeanhas been volunteering on our Type 1 Events since 1987, both as a nurse and then an event organiser.
