Diabetes Scotland

Congratulations to our Youth Development Officer, Katie Stewart and her outstanding team of young leaders who won the 'Year of Young People #selfmanagement Award' at a ceremony in the Scottish Parliament last night. The award recognises the positive contribution the young leaders have made to support others with Type 1 diabetes and reflects their own personal development on the project sponsored by the @BigLotteryFund.

We're thrilled for the dedicated members of our Young Leaders Project who have been nominated for a Self Management Award at the Scottish Parliament: https://buff.ly/2ybTpty
The hard work involved in producing our comprehensive Type 2 Newly Diagnosed Toolkit https://buff.ly/2O0iKRP has also been recognised with a deserved nomination.

We'd like to thank all the families, staff and volunteers who helped make our 25th anniversary celebration at Piperdam such a special occasion. Our informal Family Network Days aim to provide a safe environment for kids to have fun and enable parents to share their experiences of diabetes and offer each other support. Thanks, in particular, to Cheryl and Amy for all their hard work.

It’s that time of year again, it’s time to fight flu. The free vaccine is available to everyone aged 65 years and over, pregnant women and those with health conditions like diabetes. Make an appointment with your GP today and get #ReadyForFlu. buff.ly/2IhkUX1

We're having a party this weekend to mark our 25th! 'Party at Piperdam' will give families with Type 1 Diabetes the chance to meet informally, share their knowledge and experience while enjoying some fun activities with the kids as well. The goody bags are ready - see you there!

Ideal running weather for the #GreatScottishRun in Glasgow on Sunday. Best of luck to everyone taking part and raising funds for Diabetes UK. Thank you!

We’re supporting pioneering #research to find better ways to treat hypo unawareness. Dr Farrell is investigating if exercise can help to reboot the brain and bring back the ability to sense hypos. Read more: https://buff.ly/2OgVsGA #HAW18 #Type1 #Diabetes

How much do your friends or colleagues know about hypos? Put their knowledge to the test by sharing our quiz for Hypo Awareness Week https://buff.ly/2OaeVJf #HAW18 #Type1 #Type2 #Diabetes

We welcome the news this morning that Fife Health Board is to begin prescribing FreeStyle Libre to people with Type 1 diabetes. https://buff.ly/2xTKVXG

You may know the answer, but would your friends? It's Hypo Awareness Week – make sure your friends, family and colleagues know all about the signs, symptoms and treatments of hypos. https://buff.ly/2xM5mG6

More than meets the eye
Did you know that an eye examination at your local Optometrist can sometimes pick up the first warning signs of diabetes and other serious health conditions?
During National Eye Health Week this week, we are backing RNIB Scotland’s call urging everyone to go for a regular eye examination. Unlike elsewhere in the UK, these are free to everyone living in Scotland.
... This simple examination can not only detect the symptoms of sight-threatening conditions, when there may still be time to arrest or even reverse damage to your sight. It might also point to evidence of things like stroke, cancer and high blood-pressure.
So please urge your family and friends to go for a routine eye examination. And make sure and go yourself. It’s not just your sight that might be saved.
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Here are more of our fabulous fundraising champions, who braved four-seasons-in-one-day to complete last weekend's Kiltwalk. Thank you again for taking part! Psst! We know it's early but registration is open already for next year 😉 https://buff.ly/2sYoKhu

We welcome the news that Grampian Health Board is to begin prescribing FreeStyle Libre: https://buff.ly/2DcN7zv
The latest statistics from both Forth Valley and Lothian Health Boards suggest that Flash GM dramatically improves HbA1C and we are calling on all Health Boards in Scotland to make this technology available to those who would benefit from it.

Big thanks to all walkers braving the challenging weather conditions to raise funds for Diabetes UK in Sunday's Edinburgh Kiltwalk! A little East Coast rain was never going to dampen enthusiasm for the cause! Well done and thanks again to all those who took part. 🙂

The importance of teaching your children what to do in a diabetes emergency was highlighted on BBC Scotland's Timeline programme with the story of how four year old Ariah helped her mother Heather recover from a severe night time hypo.
Diabetes Scotland's Linda McGlynn recommends age appropriate advice to children about diabetes and described little Ariah as 'a remarkable young lady'. https://buff.ly/2CUFw8r

Our 25th Anniversary event at the Scottish Parliament gave people a chance to see their own portraits from the 'Facing Up to Diabetes' project for the first time.
We plan to exhibit these pictures elsewhere and will update with venue details once they are confirmed.
Picture: (l-r) Speakers from the event, Emma Harper MSP, Angela Mitchell, Sheila Reith, Ainsley Duncan and Joe Fitzpatrick MSP with portrait stars Ian Sloan, Bruce Smith, Rubyann Held, Andrew Job, Debi Harris, M...arylin Boland and Dave Curry.
The exhibition has had a big impact! Thanks to all who participated and special mention to photographer Phil Wilkinson for his work on the project.
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Volunteers, Health Professionals and MSPs attended Diabetes Scotland's 25th Anniversary celebration at the Scottish Parliament last night sponsored by Emma Harper MSP.
Public Health minister, Joe Fitzpatrick; the inventor of the insulin pen, Sheila Reith; and Young Leader Ainsley Duncan spoke at the event. While National Director, Angela Mitchell updated guests on future plans.
The charity also commissioned a series of portraits - displayed in the Burns Room - where people w...ith diabetes, or affected by the condition, are pictured reflecting on the many challenges they face. ‘Facing Up to Diabetes’ illustrates the variety of people among the 300,000 in Scotland who live with the condition and conveys the impact diabetes has on thousands more.
Thanks to all speakers and guests for making the event such a memorable occasion.
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Free Diabetes Cycle Coaching Challenge
Living with diabetes? Want to boost your health and fitness with pedal power? Up for the challenge?
Castle Semple Outdoor Centre in Lochwinnoch are offering free personalised cycling coaching plans to five people living with diabetes in the local area. ... We’re partnering with the centre to invite applications from people with diabetes to take part in a bespoke cycling coaching plan. This is specially designed to get you fit and ready for an exhilarating fundraising cycle challenge in 2019.
The five successful applicants will receive a custom made cycling coaching plan provided by British Cycling Coach Dave Hill. You’ll get one-to-one support to gradually build up your fitness levels and prepare you to meet the ultimate challenge of taking part in Pedal the Park - a 100km road sportive - on 5 May 2019 in support of Diabetes UK.
This exciting opportunity is free of charge and open to people with diabetes of any age and all fitness levels. You will need to be able to commit to weekly indoor and outdoor training - regardless of the Scottish weather! – and all team members will be asked to share their progress on social media.
It’s a unique opportunity not to be missed! If you, or someone you know, would like to take advantage of this offer email david.hill@clydemuirshiel.co.uk for full details.
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