The April meeting of the Bairnsdale and District Diabetes Support Group, peer support team staff from Diabetes Victoria, engagement team officer Jason Tamplin, and access and equity manager, Susan Cadman, were guest presenters.
Jason connects with all type 1 and mixed peer support groups throughout the state, and lately has been connecting with Men’s Sheds to promote what Diabetes Victoria does.
Susan manages their wider team which has community engagement, peer support and the Aboriginal and cultural diversity streams.
They discussed the operation and benefits to diabetics of the NDSS (National Diabetes Services Scheme), and the benefits of connecting with peer support to people living with and affected by diabetes.
The programs and services Diabetes Victoria runs, and the ways they can support the peer support community, were also covered.
Peer support is a way for people with diabetes to connect with others who also face the daily challenges of managing diabetes.
Sharing experiences can help people feel less alone. Support groups bring together people who share common experiences, conditions, concerns, goals or interests. They offer people an opportunity to improve their quality of life through mutual support and education.
They can also bring about change for themselves and the wider community. The peer support program is a service offered by Diabetes Victoria to facilitate and empower all members of diabetes support groups.
There are both type 1, type 2 and mixed peer support groups. The program provides information to members and the general public about Diabetes Victoria.
Diabetes Victoria provides insurance, a small annual grant, and ongoing support and resources to the group, which allows the support group to provide a safe and friendly environments to meet and support other community members living with diabetes.
Andy Hine, on behalf of the group, presented Jason and Susan with a gift in appreciation for their excellent and very informative presentation. The support team then spoke to individual members, answering their many questions.
Diabetes Victoria will hold their DESMOND program, designed to teach practical skills for managing type 2 diabetes, in Lakes Entrance on May 28, 9.30-3pm. The workshops are free to attend, but registration is required and lunch is provided.
The next meeting of the support group will be on Tuesday, June 18.
