Volunteers' Week 2023 volunteer stories

Meet some of our volunteers, who have all taken action to make a difference for people living with and affected by diabetes

#SmallActionsBigImpact

Susan Haley 

Susan worked as a Specialist Diabetes Dietitian at Bradford Teaching Hospital and Airedale General Hospital, providing education to people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. When she retired in 2022, she decided to volunteer for us. She uses the skills and knowledge from her role as a dietitian to support people living with, and at risk of, diabetes.

Read Susan's story

Spencer Wimbleton 

When Spencer was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in his early 60s, he said it was "a bit of a blow." He found it difficult to find useful information about diabetes, and was impressed by what he learnt on one of our volunteer training days. He's now an Events volunteer and runs two local support groups, and likes to find creative ways to support other people affected by diabetes.

Read Spencer's story

Sandra Tweddle 

Sandra has volunteered with us since the early 1970s. Her first role was at our summer camps for children and young people with type 1 diabetes. She went on to volunteer with the Bristol Diabetes Support Network, and is now a Speaker volunteer and Events volunteer. 

Read Sandra's story

Brian Watson 

Brian decided to volunteer for us when he went to a local support group and saw how it benefitted people living with diabetes. He's now secretary of the Gateshead local group, as well as an Events volunteer and Speaker volunteer. He's also received the Robert Lawrence medal for living with diabetes for over 60 years.

Read Brian's story

 Norma Fraser

Norma has lived with type 1 diabetes since 1971. During the Covid pandemic, she joined Diabetes Scotland's online Friday Lunch Club for support from the diabetes community. She went on to help Diabetes Scotland set up a new online peer support group for people with type 1.

Read Norma's story