This year again the Group helped out at the Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups Diabetes Awareness Events in Gloucester (12 Jun), Cheltenham (15 Jun) and Newent (19 Jun).
Mike, Geoff, Lucy & John.
The Group members helping out were Mike Broome (Gloucester & Newent), John Gould (Gloucester) and Bob Watford (Cheltenham). Geoff Davis from the Forest of Dean Group was also at Gloucester & Newent. Various NHS staff were also present including Lucy Gozzard from the Retinal Screening team at Gloucester Royal Hospital.
On Staurday 15 April the Group was invited to set up a stall at the Health & Wellness Expo being held at St Aldates Church Gloucester and organised by the Seventh Day Adventist Community Group.
Mike Coombs manning the stall.
Mike Coombs, Jay McCaffery and Mike Broome attended and duly set up our stall along with other groups and organisations covering such issues as dental health, dementia, Prostate Cancer and organ donor awareness and others. Continue reading Health & Wellness Expo→
On Saturday 25th February, Martin Reeves organised a dance at the Wotton Hall Club in Gloucester, from which the proceeds from the raffle were to be donated to the Group.
Dancing the night away.
Martin regularly organises dances at Wotton Hall and this one was to feature music from the 1960s & 70s with some Motown thrown in as well. Mike & Chris Coombs and myself and Jane attended the dance and had a very enjoyable evening with some lively music ensuring the dance floor was in constant use.
I would like to thank Marting for organising the dance and donating the raffle proceeds to the Group.
Martin has now let me know that £75.00 was raised which will help us carry on supporting those in Gloucester with diabetes and the donation is much appreciated.
On Tuesday 18 October Mike Coombs and Mike Broome attended the Gloucester Royal Hospital’s Paediatric diabetes parents evening at the Holiday Inn, Barnwood. The evening is arranged so the parents of children with Type 1 diabetes can get together to
On Thursday 1 Sep John Gould, a group member and Mike Broome were invited to take part in an Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group Diabetes Type 2 Workshop at the Star College Ullenwood, near Gloucester as representing the patient view. Also present was Mel Preston Chair of the Forest of Dean Support Group. The remaining delegates were healthcare professionals ranging from senior diabetes consultants, GPs, DSNs, podiatrists, diabetes researchers, dieticians, managers from the CCG & NHS trust and others with a professional interest in diabetes. Continue reading Glos CCG Diabetes Type 2 Workshop→
For two days in June Mike helped out at the Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups Diabetes Awareness Events, one in Gloucester near The Cross on the 16 June and one in Cheltenham in the High Street on the 17 June.
The Group was invited to set up a stand in Waitrose supermarket in Cheltenham as part of their Healthy Living Week. Mike Broome and Graham Terret duly attended on Friday 20 May and were asked to set up by the entrance to the shop cafe – perhaps to give customers pause for thought on what they might eat!!
We were also joined by a representative from the British Heart Foundation. The day was fairly busy with quite a few people stopping to enquire about diabetes and how best to avoid it or how they are controlling their diabetes. There was also quite a number on time we referred people to the British Heart Foundation or vice versa.
Also whilst we were there we were presented with a cheque for £242.00 as a result of us being selected as one of the local charities selected by the store to be part of their Community Matters Collection scheme earlier in the year. A big thank you to Waitrose for choosing us and to its customers for raising such a sum.
Graham receives the cheque from Lorraine Hambling
All in all the day was a success with not only raising awareness of diabetes but also the Group as well.
The group again attended the Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trusts Diabetes Community Conference on the 27 January, held at the Hatherly Manor Hotel. The conference was aimed at healthcare professionals from around the county who have an interest in diabetes treatment and care. We set up a stand to promote the Group amongst those attending.
Mike Coombs & Geoff Davis
Mike Broome and Mike Coombs attended on a rather damp & chilly day. Also present again this year was Geoff Davies, the Treasurer of the Forest of Dean Diabetes UK Group. Most of the other stands were either from NHS diabetes related medical services, or manufactures and suppliers of diabetes equipment and medicines. Continue reading Diabetes Community Conference→
On Monday 25 May Mike was asked if the Group could attend the New Testament Church of God Table Top Sale & Family Fun Day and set up a diabetes information display. This was requested as the majority of the congregation are from an Afro-Caribbean background, who are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. Mike was happy to attend and set up his stall, and the weather was reasonably kind, which is just as well as the event was outside.
Mike manning the stall
Mike spoke to quite a few people there, and handed out various books and information leaflets to those interested. Overall the event was very good, and the church have promised a small donation to the Group.
For the third year the Group were invited to attend the 2015 NHS 2gether Trusts Big Health Check Day at the Walls Club, Gloucester on Wednesday 13 May.
