Receiving a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes can be a huge shock. There is a lot of new information to take in, giving you a lot more to think about.
After your diagnosis, you and the people close to you will have lots of questions and you will have to make significant changes to your daily routine. You will need to think about changing what you eat, taking your medication, doing more exercise and learn to manage your condition while in school, college or at work. This is perfectly normal and you are not alone. In Ireland, there are approximately 30,000 living well with Type 1 diabetes.
The emotional impact of your diagnosis can be huge and having a support network to meet and speak to others can be hugely positive.
Our Type 1 diabetes community network programme provides you access to that support when you need it most. Our programme aims to provide you with trusted information and wellbeing support. You don’t have to deal with managing your condition on your own. Managing your condition is much easier when you have a strong support system.
Accessing Information
Your hospital diabetes team will provide you with lots of information and reassurance about managing your 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 Type 1 Diabetes.
You can always talk to us if you need some help understanding it.
Taking care of Your Emotions
When you receive a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis it can be an emotional time for you. Following diagnosis you can feel overwhelmed with the extra responsibility of managing your condition, making the many lifestyle changes and just understanding diabetes.
Speaking to other newly diagnosed people can be a huge benefit to you. Why not sign up for our Diabetes Mental Health & Wellness workshop. This will provide you with an opportunity to meet other people newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Meeting other adults with Type 1 diabetes
It’s important that you do not become isolated and that you keep up to date with new diabetes information. Our Type 1 Diabetes Community Network Programme provide regular opportunities for you to learn about Type 1 diabetes and to meet others through our events.
Peer Support – Online Forum
After taking on a lot of information, you will also want to speak to others about positively living with Type 1 diabetes. There is an active online Type 1 Diabetes Forum available and we will be happy to put you in direct contact with the people who manage the platform.
(Please note this forum is independent of Diabetes Ireland)
Digibete App
To support you on your journey of Type 1 diabetes, Diabetes Ireland recently purchased the licence to make the multi-award-winning DigiBete Self Management App and Video Platform available to young adults (16-25 years) 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 young people to manage their diabetes by extending the reach of clinical teams online. We are providing this service freely to hospital teams and use Digibete.
Supporting our Hospital Diabetes Teams
Through our Community Programme, we work with hospital 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 Type 1 diabetes Community Network Programme, you 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 trusted information, events, informative educational sessions and access a safe space to connect with others families on your journey of life with type 1 diabetes.
As a member of our Type 1 Diabetes Community Network, you will also avail of these other membership benefits.
