Running a local group

Local groups play a vital role in helping us achieve our mission of improving the lives of people living with diabetes, working towards a world with no diabetes.

This page has resources to help you to run a Diabetes UK local group.

Run great meetings, attract new members

Read our tips on attracting new members to your group and how to keep them coming back.

• Committee Matters Pack (PDF, 8MB)

  For all committee members to support the running of your local group.

• Running successful group activities (PDF, 159KB)

  Learn how your group can hold engaging meetings and activities.

• Holding an Annual General Meeting (PDF, 257KB)

  A resource that describes how your group can hold a successful Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Footcare resources for your group meetings

We're excited to announce that we've partnered with Flexitol on their Simple Steps campaign to raise awareness of good diabetes footcare. Together we've created a toolkit which has information on the simple steps that your group members can follow at home, and guides on how to lead an education session at your local group meetings. 

Most foot problems can be prevented with good, regular foot care and so through our partnership, we're hoping to raise awareness and prevent foot related complications. 

• Welcome letter (PDF, 125KB)

          An introduction to the Simple Steps toolkit.

• Information leaflet (PDF, 117MB)

          A Simple Steps leaflet which you can share with your group members.

• Training aid 1: Footcare routine (PDF, 403KB)

          Why and how people with diabetes should look after their feet, including a simple three-step daily routine.

• Training aid 2: When to visit or speak to a healthcare professional (PDF, 381KB)

          How often people with diabetes should visit a healthcare professional to have their feet checked.

• Training aid 3: What to look for when checking your feet (PDF, 412KB)

          What foot conditions to look out for and what actions can be taken.

Keeping Safe and Legal and Healthy

Read the guidance and resources to ensure your group meetings, activities and events are kept safe, legal and healthy.

• Keeping Safe, Legal and Healthy Policy (PDF, 6.29MB)

  Provides information and guidance to support groups to run SAFE events and an overview of the data protection principles and guidance to help groups apply these.

• Blank SAFE assessment template (Word, 86.3KB)

  A template for groups to complete SAFE assessments. 

• SAFE assessment example - group meetings (Word, 103KB)

         A guide for groups to complete SAFE assessments for group meetings.

• SAFE assessment example - fundraising events (Word, 65KB)

         A guide for groups to complete SAFE assessments for fundraising events.

• Accident Report Form (Word, 55KB)

  Please use this form to record information on any accidents that occur at your group meetings, events or activities.

Helpful policies

All volunteering policies can be found in the expenses and essentials section of our website. These policies will help local group volunteers to run smooth and effective group activities. Remember to read our safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and money matters sections too.

• Volunteer Insurance Guidance (PDF, 60KB)

  Information for volunteers about our public liability insurance.