On Tuesday 15 November, Diabetes UK Northern Ireland hosted a special World Diabetes Day session at the Bangor Live Well Hub. Charities, AWARE and Action Mental Health, also attended to discuss the mental and emotional impact of living with diabetes.
The Live Well Hub is a one-stop shop providing diabetes-related information, advice and support to help improve the health and well-being of the community. It is open to anyone interested in learning more about diabetes, how to make positive lifestyle changes living with the condition and those who are worried about their risk.
Heather Causer, Community Engagement Manager at Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, said,
"World Diabetes Day highlighted the need to rewrite the story of diabetes. Getting diagnosed, at any age, is devastating and overwhelming, but with the right support and information, diabetes doesn’t have to define you.
At the Bangor Live Well Hub, we offer that support and information, and importantly, peer support from other people in the community who know exactly what it feels like living with this relentless condition. The more we know about diabetes, the better we can manage it and get the help we need. We have heard from people who attend our sessions how talking and hearing about diabetes has made an incredible difference both physically and mentally when managing their diabetes."
There are currently over 108,000 people living with diabetes in Northern Ireland and approximately 90% of those are living with type 2 diabetes. It is a relentless condition and if not managed well, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications.
Heather continued, ‘If you are interested in finding out more about diabetes then come along to our next Live Well Hub at the North Down Community Network on Tuesday 6 December, 10am - 12noon.’
The Live Well Hub is free to attend, you don’t need to register and there will be refreshments available.
Join us on Tuesday 6 December, 10am - 12noon, at the NDCN Wellbeing Centre, at the bottom of Main Street Bangor.
