Services
Diabetes Befriending Project
The Co-ordinator of this project which was funded by THPCT Diabetes Services in September 2008, has established a network for diabetes service users, carers and relatives in Tower Hamlets, run by volunteers who can provide practical and moral support to people with type 2 diabetes enabling and empowering them to manage their condition more confidently and effectively.
Over 30 volunteers or befrienders with experience of diabetes have been recruited to befriend people diagnosed with diabetes. The volunteers are mainly local Bengali and Somali people. They provide informal advice on healthy eating choices and introduce people to the healthy living activities within the borough such as the gym, gardening groups, walking, swimming and cookery classes. They also accompany people to appointments such as screening and provide moral support for people undergoing insulin initiation. These activities are aimed at helping those who already have diabetes, to manage their condition better themselves and improve their quality of life.
The Befriending Co-ordinator in partnership with specialist health practitioners has put together a programme of training for volunteers relevant to the role of a ‘befriending scheme’ and focused on healthy lifestyles and developing understanding of diabetes. She also works with other members of the WHFS Diabetes Team to improve user’s access to diabetes services and increase local support for people with type 2 diabetes from the Somali and Bengali community in Tower Hamlets.
“We go to the gym and swimming once a week which I haven’t done before. We also meet in the local mosque to have a chat or to pray and then have tea in a local cafe. My befriender is a very kind and understanding person. We get on very well and my befriender kept me mentally alive” (Bengali male diabetic client)
Contact
Jasmin Begum – Diabetes Befriending Co-ordinator
T: 0796 032 7760
E: jasminb@whfs.org.uk
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