Diabetes Scotland makes appeal to Highlands as support groups go digital in response to coronavirus
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People with diabetes in the Highlands are being encouraged to join new online groups, yoga and mindfulness sessions run by Diabetes Scotland while following social-distancing measures and unable to access their usual support for wellbeing.
Diabetes Scotland is urging everyone with diabetes to pay extra attention to their physical, emotional and mental health and wants to assure people living with diabetes that it is on hand to offer support.
There are more than 300,000 people living with diabetes in Scotland including more than 18,000 across the Highlands.
Using online video app Zoom, digital peer support chats were launched at the beginning of April with a group for people with type 2 diabetes and a group for young adults with type 1 diabetes already running. The discussions are supported by two facilitators but everyone is encouraged to speak, share their experiences and ask questions.
Groups are kept small to allow conversation to flow more easily. The idea is to bring together people going through similar experiences so they can offer each other support and friendship, all from the safety of their own homes.
Responding to demand, the charity hopes to offer a number of different groups for people of various ages living with, or caring for someone with, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other types of diabetes and parents and carers of children with type 1 diabetes.
Angela Mitchell, national director of Diabetes Scotland, said: “We are proud to have over 30 local groups serving communities across Scotland. Of course, not everyone can attend a group, especially now when we’re advised against all but essential trips out of our homes.
“We had already planned to introduce digital peer support groups this year but due to social distancing measures we brought our launch forward. Many people at home are feeling isolated and, if you’re also managing a long-term condition like diabetes, it can be even more challenging. We want to support people with diabetes in any way that we can at this time. As well as online peer support groups, yoga and mindfulness we also have a helpline, online forum and the Diabetes Scotland team can be reached as we continue to work from home.”
Mindfulness and yoga via online video link has been introduced by Zen yoga and mindfulness teacher Donna Booth of Vitality Retreat in Caithness.
She said: “Stress can affect your blood sugar levels. Mindfulness and yoga are one way to help lower stress levels. The yoga postures we’ll be doing in the sessions bring some easy, relaxing movements for the body. Mindfulness allows us to be in the present moment rather than worrying about the past or future which can make it easier to accept change and to make the adjustments necessary to feel well.”
Anyone who is interested in joining either peer support or mindfulness and yoga should email scotland@diabetes.org.uk
Guidance regarding diabetes and coronavirus can be found at www.diabetes.org.uk/coronavirus or by calling the Diabetes Scotland helpline on 0141 212 8710 or emailing helpline@diabetes.org.uk
