Diabetes Model of Care Report

Through small grants, we supported community and voluntary sector organisations to educate individuals living with mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities on the risks of diabetes. Café JJ’s, Darlington Association on Disability (DAD), and 700 Club were the successful applicants and our partners in this endeavour.

Throughout the evaluation process, we maintained regular contact with these organisations. Despite their varied approaches, they all achieved similar positive outcomes, offering one-to-one and group sessions tailored to participants' learning requirements regarding diabetes awareness.

The partnership between these organisations demonstrated effective collaboration, allowing them to share resources and strengthen relationships with local health teams such as the PCN specialist diabetes nurse, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, and the Move More Team.

The participants' understanding of diabetes significantly improved over time through different learning methods, including the Diabetes UK ‘Know Your Risk’ Toolkit, questionnaires, and personal conversations. The organisations covered key topics like accessing diabetes information, prevention, early identification, and management.

Regular feedback and evaluation from our partners showcased the gradual increase in diabetes knowledge and awareness not only among participants but also within the organisations' staff teams.

The success of this programme highlights the potential of adequately funded and tailored approaches in empowering individuals with mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities to manage or prevent diabetes effectively. This is achievable when individuals receive the right tools and knowledge in a safe and supportive setting.