DRWF Events: United Through Diabetes return offers a wealth of health information for people living with the condition
DRWF’s big educational event for people living with diabetes returned for a second year in Warwickshire recently.
People living with diabetes from across the country were United Through Diabetes at our second annual diabetes wellness and educational event.
The event was held at Chesford Grange in Warwickshire, with around 400 people living with diabetes, plus family, friends and carers, enjoying a day filled with useful diabetes and related-health information, as well as an amazing opportunity to speak to diabetes experts and scientists, and make new friends.
The day featured a comprehensive programme of presentations from some of the leading healthcare professionals working in diabetes, in addition to people with the condition sharing their own experiences.
The event also provided an opportunity to meet DRWF-funded researchers to discuss their latest projects and find out more about how supporting the charity boosts valuable research into diabetes.
For younger people there was also educational resources and an activities area providing fun entertainment throughout the day.
The DRWF Fundraising team were also busy, recruiting volunteers to take part in challenges like skydiving and abseiling. There was also a host of DRWF Christmas goodies on offer, for early birds getting ready with their festive planning, and an ever-popular raffle competition with a selection of generously donated prizes being keenly sought.
In the exhibition hall diabetes organisations, companies and community groups displayed a wide range of resources on all aspects of diabetes, offering support, gadgets and reading material.
Lee Calladine, Event Co-ordinator at DRWF, said: “We were pleased to return to Chesford Grange for this year’s United Through Diabetes event and bring together healthcare professionals, industry experts, researchers and people living with diabetes from across the UK diabetes community.
“We were also delighted to be joined by our international DRWF colleagues, who travelled from Sweden, France and the USA to be with us.
“And what a great day we had with a wealth of knowledge, expertise, practical skills, personal experiences, research updates, product demonstrations and interactive activities for people of all ages with all types of diabetes. It really was a 'one-stop-shop' of diabetes all under one roof.
“This year even more people attended with more than 350 people living with diabetes and 150 speakers, sponsors and exhibitors from across the NHS, health charities, screening teams and leading technology and diagnostic companies.
“Attendees also had the opportunity to meet and chat with our DRWF funded diabetes researchers and learn all about their groundbreaking work.
“It was also a great place to meet other people living with diabetes and make new friends.
“We couldn't be happier with how it all went and to see people going home feeling informed, inspired, empowered to manage their diabetes.
“We are already planning ahead for our 2025 calendar, so follow us on our social media pages and keep an eye out for our news updates for some exciting announcements.”
Sarah Tutton, Chief Executive, DRWF, said: “United Through Diabetes is a major wellness event designed to help people gain a greater understanding about their diabetes, grow their confidence and ultimately develop self-management skills to help them live well on a day-to-day basis.
“This really is a unique event with the support of major diabetes device companies such as Abbott Diabetes, Insulet, Dexcom and Medtronic. This ensures attendees will be able to hear about the very latest advances.”
Attendees were able to meet the manufacturers of leading glucose monitoring devices and hybrid closed loop systems as well as leading NHS experts including an open Q&A with Professor Partha Kar who is the Type 1 Diabetes and Technology Lead at NHS England and GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time)
Professor Kar said: “The opportunity to speak at United Through Diabetes means I get to meet many people living with diabetes, answer their questions and discuss current and future trends in medications and treatments, plus what’s happening with diabetes technology and how it can really make a difference for the person living with diabetes as well as parents and carers.
“It’s a brilliant event and I know it makes a difference to the people attending who leave having learned something, met others living with the condition and really gives them a boost to their self-management skills.”
In the DRWF Research Village attendees had an opportunity to meet DRWF-funded researchers to learn more about their research and what the future holds for new developments, drugs and new technology.
Kathleen Gillespie, Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University of Bristol, said: “The DRWF United Through Diabetes event was a really fantastic event – such a supportive environment. Well done to all for organising.”
Dr Victoria Garfield, of University College London, who was awarded The Professor David Matthews Non-Clinical Fellowship 2022, said: “I enjoyed presenting and speaking to people. A couple of people came up to me during the day to say that they appreciated how I explained my research in an accessible manner. And it was great to meet David Matthews, a real honour! The event was also much bigger than I’d expected, and well organised.”
Dr James Russ-Silsby of University of Exeter and DRWF Pump Priming Award recipient for 2024, said: “I really enjoyed speaking to all the attendees – it’s always a grounding experience to get to chat to the people that the research benefits and something that I don’t get to do much as geneticist.”
United Through Diabetes 2024 Digital Hub
The United Through Diabetes 2024 Digital Hub is currently being regularly updated with reports and information from the day.
This is a great resource for attendees to find out more they may have missed on the day, or for those unable to attend to enjoy presentations and interviews from healthcare professionals involved.
Visit the UTD Digital Hub 2024 here
For news of all upcoming DRWF events and activities click here
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