It’s Diabetes Awareness Week 2022

This week is Diabetes Awareness week (13-19 June), and Diabetes UK is encouraging those that have been affected by diabetes to share their stories using the Hashtag #DiabetesStories on their social media profiles. The aim of this is to increase awareness amongst communities on how Diabetes can affect a person's day-to-day life, it also rehumanises a condition that many thousands of people deal with every day.    

Diabetes if not managed correctly can severely affect a person's health and in the worst cases can seriously affect a person's sight, hands, and feet and can even cause nerve damage. However, there are tons of resources to help people manage the condition as well as a plethora of support groups and technological tools.   

Diabetes Awareness Week is a great opportunity to look in to reducing your risk of developing diabetes. Diabetes is a growing concern in the UK and can have a significant impact on your quality of life.  

Held every year by Diabetes UK, raising awareness is one of the most important aspects of providing a support system for those who are living with diabetes. 

Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into sugar (also called glucose) and released into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. 

Elizabeth Learoyd, Managing Director of ECS said: “Diabetes can have a serious impact on your health, if it isn’t managed properly. That’s why we are encouraging and supporting local people who have diabetes to make small changes to their everyday habits, which will help them to live healthier lives. Prevention is the message for Diabetes Awareness Week, we are encouraging people to find out their risk and then take up the support available for you. Don’t delay, use this week as your motivator for change.” 

For more information, click here.

If you’re interested in helping raise awareness in your community, please get in touch with any of the network of ECS Healthwatch.   

The network of ECS Healthwatch’s are independent organisations set up to champion the views of patients and social care users in Stoke-on-Trent, Halton, Warrington, Walsall, Sandwell, Leicester, and Leicestershire, with the goal of making services better and improving health and wellbeing. We want to hear about your views, needs, and experiences to help get the best possible health and care across these areas.  

To share your feedback on health and social care services in these areas, contact Healthwatch through their Feedback centres:   

ECS