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Services

Diabetes Education

WHFS has been working to support both Somali and Bengali clients with Type 2 diabetes since 2003. Currently, having been commissioned by NHS Tower Hamlets we are delivering structured diabetes education (Hamlet and Short Key) to Somali people with diabetes. The project was set up in response to the growing concern about the increase in Type 2 diabetes among the Somali community and the lack of education and support available to the community. One of the main obstacles effecting diabetes management is the community’s difficulty in accessing health care due to cultural and language barriers. More than 80% of the Somali diabetics in Tower Hamlets have had no formal education so that translating current literature wouldn’t be sufficient especially for the elderly and older Somali women.

The aim of the project is to deliver culturally appropriate structured education to the Somalis with Type 2 diabetes and their carers through the X-pert diabetes programme. The Somali Hamlet covers four days of 2 hour training sessions to help diabetic clients understand about diabetes as well as to improve the management of their condition. We also offer a ‘Short Key’ session, a taster version of the Hamlet. Both Hamlet and short key sessions of diabetes education are delivered on Mondays from 2-5pm at London Muslim Centre Whitechapel and at GP surgeries at other times.

The Somali diabetes education project provides a unique service. Each patient is supported by a Somali educator who is trained to offer advocacy and support, during and after GP appointments and within the community. Additionally many clients are referred to partner community projects such as SAfH keep fit sessions and the WHFS Diabetes Befriending Project.

“In every session I participated in I have learnt more techniques to manage my diabetes. Today’s session is significant one for me as it has answered all my needed questions in regards to food in a very simple and easy to understand way. I am now confident to eat the type of food which would help my blood sugar to stay normal.”
(Diabetes client)

Click here to find out more

Contact

Bilan Said – Diabetes Team Manager
T: 0796 032 7061
E: Bilans@whfs.org.uk

Abyan Mohamed – Diabetes Educator
T: 0796 032 7891
E: abyanm@whfs.org.uk

Click here to make a referral