In September, a wide range of individuals and agencies were brought together, supported by the innovation foundation Nesta to work as a team to address the rise of pre-diabetes in Denton.
The team, which includes health clinicians and educators, voluntary sector partners, social care and has support from both a manager within social care and the CCG who are sponsors, offering practical support, reached out to patients from three local GP Surgeries, who had been identified as having increased glucose levels on a previous blood test. These patients were invited to the launch event on Wednesday 1 November at the Denton Labour Club.
The launch event featured a short introduction about pre-diabetes from Dr Asad Ali. Steve Wild also spoke about his own personal experience of being told he had pre-diabetes and the lifestyle changes he made to reduce the risk and reverse his diagnosis.
Rachel Lord from Action Together then gave the attendees information about the variety of agencies and organisations present at the event which included:
Be Well Service – offering health checks including blood pressure and cholesterol at the event and registration for a tailored one to one service.
Active Tameside/Live Active – who gave away free gym/swim passes and offered registration for the individually tailored Live Active programme.
Ambition for Ageing Tameside – engaging with the over 50's in the local area providing links to a wide range of local activities and groups.
Volunteer Centre Tameside – information and access to volunteering opportunities in the local area and across Tameside.
Healthwatch Tameside - offering the opportunity to discuss and feedback experiences of accessing health services across Tameside.
Self-Management UK – attendees were able to register for free three session course to be held at the Denton Labour Club which has an holistic approach to wellbeing and health.
Public Health Collaboration – providing information about ways of eating to positively impact on the risks of developing Diabetes.
Representatives from the three GP Practices – available for advice and support with any medical concerns and gave attendees their individual HBA1C score which measures the risk levels of developing Diabetes.
Ideas / Wishes table - attendees were encouraged to contribute their ideas and thoughts about ways to support them moving forward, whether this be through already existing provision or highlighting gaps with opportunities for attendees to spend time with members of the team who are skilled in motivational interviewing to look at a more personalised package of support if they wish.
The attendees received a pack of resources that were developed specifically for the 100 Day Challenge. This included published materials from various health related organisations and resources developed by the team; a goal setting sheet, information about activities / groups in the local area, dietary advice, fact sheet about pre-diabetes and information on both local and national support.
It doesn’t stop there! The team will continue to support the attendees to access the appropriate and relevant support to start making and maintain the changes needed to hopefully reduce their risk of developing diabetes. Watch this space for updates!