Support for newly diagnosed families

Please note: all available places on our online group video calls have now been filled. If you’d like to be added to the waiting list in case more places become available, please continue on to complete the registration form.

If your child has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the past year, your family may be going through a challenging time - especially as you’ve had to adjust to your 'new normal' during the pandemic. You might be feeling overwhelmed, and you might not have met anyone else with type 1.

For a chance to chat to people who know exactly what it’s like, you can register for a place to join a series of online group video calls with a small group of other parents and carers of children with type 1. They’re run by Diabetes UK staff members. And they’re a chance to share your experiences, hear from others in a similar situation, and pick up some top tips.

There’ll also be a chance to chat to some of the panellists from our ‘When your child is newly diagnosed with type 1’ Q&A panel session. They’ll come along to one of the calls, to answer any additional questions you might want to ask them.

All available places for joining the online group video calls are now filled, you can register to join the waiting list below.

My child has been diagnosed for over a year. Can I still register?

You’re only able to register for these groups if your child has been diagnosed in the past year (since March 2020). This is because support for children who’ve been diagnosed during the pandemic, and their parents and carers, has been limited.

If your child was diagnosed before March 2020 and you’d like to find out about the support that’s available for you and your family, email us - the Type 1 Events team – at type1events@diabetes.org.uk, and we’ll let you know what support is available in your area.

Are the groups relevant for parents and carers with a child of any age?

Yes. If your child is 0-17 years old, you’re welcome to register for a place. You’ll be in a group with parents and carers who have children of a similar age to your child.

How much does it cost?

The online group video calls are free to join.

I don’t have a good internet connection or a laptop – can I still join?

If you don’t have access to a good internet connection, let us know on your application form. We'll be able to loan you a MiFi device – a portable Wi-Fi device – free of charge, for you to use for the duration of the sessions.

Similarly, if you don’t have a laptop, computer, tablet, or smart phone that has a camera and microphone, let us know on your application form. We'll be able to loan you a device, free of charge, for you to use for the duration of the sessions.

Will I need to download anything to my laptop, computer, tablet, or phone?

The sessions will take place on the video platform Zoom. To take part in the sessions, you’ll need to download the Zoom app to your device. Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to do this – you’ll receive instructions once you’ve confirmed your place

How many people will be in the session?

There’ll be 6-10 parents and carers in each session. Plus two Diabetes UK staff members – one will be the group facilitator, and the other will be there to support them.

At some sessions, one or two volunteers living with type 1 will join the call to answer your questions – but we’ll let you know ahead of time.

What will I be doing during the session? Will I need to turn my camera and microphone on?

Each session will involve a discussion about a specific topic, agreed on by the group of parents and carers. You’ll be listening to the other parents’ and carers’ experiences and stories, as well as contributing to the discussion yourself.

It’s important that the sessions feel safe and inclusive. Having your camera turned on for the duration of the session will help to create a positive atmosphere, so you’ll need to keep it on for the whole hour.

And, so everyone in the group can get to know each other and make the most of what’s on offer, you’ll need to get involved in the discussion at every session.

When will they start? And what’s the time commitment?

The sessions will start once all available places have been filled. The earliest they’ll start is the week commencing Monday, 22 March.

Each session will be one hour long. We’ll get an agreement from each group of parents and carers about the day and time that’s most convenient for everyone. And again, depending on the group’s availability, the sessions will take place every 2-4 weeks.

So everyone can make the most of the experience, we’d ask you to commit to at least three consecutive sessions.

Someone else in my family wants to come along too. Can we both join?

Other members of your household or bubble are welcome to join you. We’ll ask for their details on the registration form.

However, the discussions will be aimed at parents and carers – not your children. So please don’t bring them along.

Do I need to bring anything to the sessions?

You only need to bring yourself – and the device you’ll be using to join the sessions.

What next?

All available places for the sessions are now full, You can register for to be put on the waiting list by completing a short online registration form. The information you provide about your child’s diabetes and what you hope to gain from the sessions will help us to make sure you get the best possible experience.

I’ve still got more questions. Who can I ask?

If you’ve got any other questions, we’d love to hear from you. You can email us at type1events@diabetes.org.uk. Or call us on 0345 123 2399 and ask for the Type 1 Events team.