Helping people with learning disabilities manage diabetes

Our Understanding Type 2 Diabetes course is specially designed for people with learning disabilities to help them understand and manage their condition.

Nine people recently attended our course, which was developed by Skills for People in collaboration with North East and Cumbria Learning Disability Network and Your Voice Counts with funding from the NENCICS in South Tyneside.

The course ran over six weeks to provide information in an accessible way, including what is diabetes, looking after your health, the role of eating healthily and exercising to control diabetes, and feeling good and how to access support.

We received fantastic feedback from the people who took part, with the group gaining a better understanding of Type 2 diabetes, developing their confidence to manage their condition and building friendships so that they can support each other. Natalie Harrison, one of the course participants pictured here, told us:

“Since attending the course I have increased my exercise routine and have been more aware of my overall health. I am looking at better alternatives to food, counting my calories and looking at the sugar content of food. I feel happier in my life as I have learned more about my overall health.

"It is worth to attend as the staff is so lovely and are non-judgmental, they are there to help you. The content was informative, and I learnt a lot of different things about diabetes, things that give me a wakeup call.”

Lindsay Henderson, Head of Communities at Your Voice Counts, said:

“It is widely known across our sector that people with learning disabilities on average die much younger than other people and we know that this is often because they find it much harder to access health services. The right support and education can make a big difference to how a person manages a long-term health condition such as Type 2 diabetes so we are very proud of this course that is tailored to the needs of people with learning disabilities and delivered in a welcoming and relaxed environment.”

We are planning to run the course again soon – look out for details coming soon.