International programme helps hundreds to combat type 2 diabetes

The lives of hundreds of people with type 2 diabetes have been transformed by an international project.

Since 2017, the DWELL Project has helped more than 500 people living with type 2 diabetes in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands to improve their quality of life through a personalised 12-week programme.

It has successfully helped individuals in all four countries to better manage sugar levels in their blood which means they are less likely to develop diabetes complications such as serious problems with their eyes and feet.

The results from the programme will be shared with thousands of the UK’s diabetes healthcare professionals at this month’s Diabetes Professional Care conference at London Olympia.

Project Manager Anna Best said: “Our international programme includes one-to-one motivational sessions, wellbeing groups and activities and advice sessions and participants are encouraged to use their own personal goals as the motivation to make durable life-changing improvements.

“We’re thrilled to have seen the participants’ blood sugar levels results going in the right direction in all four countries and we have very positive stories to share.

“We’re delighted to be able to present our findings at the Diabetes Professional Care conference because it is the UK’s must attend event for everyone involved in the treatment and management of diabetes.

“We hope by sharing our experiences at the conference we’ll help other healthcare professionals to improve outcomes for people living with type 2 diabetes across the UK.” 

The NHS spends at least £10 billion a year on diabetes – about 10 per cent of its entire budget.

More than 4.9 million people in the UK have diabetes and the condition leads to almost 9,600 leg, toe or foot amputations every year.

It is also one of the leading causes of preventable sight loss in the UK and more than 700 people with diabetes die prematurely every week.

DWELL received funding for its project from the Interreg 2 Seas programme 2014-2020 co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The Diabetes Professional Care conference will take place on 16 and 17 November.

Healthcare professionals can register for the conference by clicking here