Join Our Family Community Network Programme
Discover here the benefits you can avail of through the Diabetes Ireland Family Programme
When your child receives a diabetes diagnosis, there is an awful lot of new information to take in and you will, no doubt, need to make changes to your family’s routine.
It is not just the changes you make to manage your child’s blood glucose levels but it’s also changes that need to be made when attending school each day, playing sport, partying, having fun; it is also talking about diabetes with others.
The emotional impact on the whole family can be huge and having a support network to meet and talk to other families and parents can be hugely positive.
Our Family Community Network Programme provides you with access to that support when you need it most. Our programme aims to provide general and wellbeing support, trusted information and motivation to your family so you can flourish with diabetes. You don’t have to deal with your child’s diagnosis on your own. Managing type 1 diabetes in children is much easier when you have a strong support system.
Accessing Information
Your paediatric diabetes team will provide you with lots of information and reassurance about managing your child’s diabetes. Some of it you will have taken in and some you may not. There is a lot of information on our website to help you – Managing Diabetes.
You can always talk to us if you need some help understanding it.
Taking care of Your Emotions
When your child receives a diabetes diagnosis it can be an emotional time for the whole family. As the primary care provider you can feel overwhelmed with the extra responsibility of ensuring your child stays well, overseeing the many lifestyle changes and just understanding diabetes.
Speaking to other parents can be a huge benefit to you. Why not sign up for our Diabetes Mental Health & Wellness workshop.
Meeting Other Families
It’s important that your child does not feel different to, or become isolated, from other children they see on a daily basis in school or during other activities.
Our Family Community Programme provide regular opportunities for families to meet each other through fun events.
Digibete App
As your child grows more confident, it is important to involve your child in the diabetes learning process and make decisions with them.
To support you on this journey, Diabetes Ireland has purchased the licence to make the multi-award-winning DigiBete Self Management App and Video Platform available to families of children and young people living with diabetes in Ireland.
DigiBete is a video platform to share videos and educational resources about Type 1 Diabetes. The content is designed to help support children, young people and families to manage their diabetes by extending the reach of clinical teams online. Many hospital teams use Digibete – how to access.
Peer Support – Online Forum
After taking on a lot of information, you will also want to speak to other parents about positively living with diabetes.
There is an active online Parents Forum available and we will be happy to put you in direct contact with the parents who manage the platform.
(Please note this forum is independent of Diabetes Ireland)
Local Family Support Groups
Diabetes Ireland has a number of local family support groups who regularly meet in-person and organise local family events. These groups are run by our volunteers and currently, we have groups in Cork, Mayo, Donegal.
If you would like to make contact with them or would like to set up a group in your area, contact us at info@diabetes.ie.
Supporting our Paediatric Diabetes Teams
Through our Family Community Programme, we work with paediatric diabetes teams nationwide to advance their knowledge about diabetes through continuous professional development opportunities which help to enhance the quality of care you receive. We hold a National Healthcare Professional Study Day, regular workshops and webinars throughout the year.
Support
By joining our Family Community Programme, you and your family will be able to access a strong support network.
For €5 per month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will be able to avail of fun events, informative educational sessions and access a safe space to connect with other families on your journey with a child living with type 1 diabetes.
As a member of our Family Community Network, you will also avail of these other membership benefits.
