We're creating panels to help shape our resources for people recently diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. If you've been diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes in the last two years and would like to join us, find out what it would involve and how to apply.
Background
Goal of the panels: to shape our approach and resources to supporting people who have been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
At Diabetes UK, we want to support and reach people who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Being diagnosed with diabetes can be an overwhelming and often a lonely experience.
It can be difficult to know where to turn. Getting the right support from day one can make all the difference, giving people the best chance of living well with diabetes.
We need your help to shape the direction of our work in this area as we create this journey and gather feedback from people who have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, continually learning from your experiences to improve our services. We're recruiting for 2 different panels: Type 2 diabetes and Prediabetes panels so please apply for the panel that best reflects your current diagnosis.
When?
- Starts January - February 2026.
- Be part of our panel for one year with a possible extension.
- We’ll run online focus group sessions with flexibility in the daytime and evenings.
Who are we looking for?
- People who have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the last 0-12 months/ 12-24 months.
- People who have been recently diagnosed with prediabetes 0-12 months / 12-24 months.
- We are particularly keen to hear from people who are from underrepresented communities. We particularly encourage people with Black African, Caribbean, and South Asian Backgrounds as well as people under 40 years old.
- People who are confident and comfortable sharing their experiences with Diabetes UK staff and other members of the group.
- A commitment to responding to emails about our work, and to be able to attend occasional online meetings.
- Being able to listen to and respect views of other people that might be different from your own
What you will be doing
- Using your experience of diagnosis and living with type 2 diabetes to help us adapt and co-create resources to support people who have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
- Giving us comments on some of the work we’ve done so far – this will be over email and in the style of an online focus group.
- Working as a group to provide feedback and shape our work by attending occasional online workshops. If it’s not convenient or suitable, we’ll gather comments from you in a different way.
- Bringing your experience to help us decide what are the most important things to focus on to guide our work.
- Committing to being involved in this work 2-3 times per year as a minimum.
What’s in it for you?
- Incentive: From £30 per workshop or activity, subject to terms and conditions.
- Gain experience of supporting change for a large and complicated social issue.
- Directly supporting Diabetes UK to improve the diagnosis journey and support for people who have been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
- The chance to meet people with similar experiences to you.
- We can reimburse you for costs according to our volunteer policy with prior agreement.
How to apply
- Fill in the application form by end of March 2026.
- Have an informal conversation to decide if you would be suited to be part of the panel.
If you have any questions, please get in touch via email involvement@diabetes.org.uk
