Courses for people living with diabetes
The ESNEFT community diabetes (North East Essex Diabetes Service – NEEDS) offers a range of structured education programmes for people living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Whether you have recently been diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for many years, education can help you build the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage your diabetes effectively.
Courses are available in community venues across North East Essex, with some programmes also being offered online. Our team will help you find the course that best meets your needs.
Available courses for people with type 2 diabetes
DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) 1-day group course
- type 2 diabetes patient conference (3-hours)
- conversation maps (2 hours for newly diagnosed only)
Available courses for people with type 1 diabetes
DAFNE (Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating): learn practical skills like carbohydrate counting, calculating insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios, interpreting blood glucose data, and safely adjusting insulin for exercise, alcohol, and illness. This is a practical course with intensive support over 5 weeks.
- DAFNE – introduction to carbohydrate counting (online self-directed learning)
- type 1 essentials (1-day comprehensive course covering DAFNE topics)
Learn more about the DAFNE course by visiting their website (opens in a new window).
Why attend a diabetes education course?
Structured diabetes education is an important part of diabetes care and is recommended by the NHS.
Research shows that people who attend structured education programmes are more likely to:
- understand their diabetes and treatment better
- feel more confident managing their condition
- improve their blood glucose levels
- reduce their risk of diabetes-related complications
- make informed decisions about food, activity and medication
- improve their overall health and wellbeing
The vast majority of people who attend our education programmes report improved knowledge and understanding of their diabetes.
Participant stories
For more information and feedback from people with type 1 diabetes, who have attended DAFNE, watch graduate testimonial videos (Opens in a new window)
Free online learning courses
Healthy living for type 2 diabetes
Healthy Living is a free NHS online program for people living with type 2 diabetes.
The programme includes information and support on:
- healthy eating
- physical activity
- emotional wellbeing
- looking after your long-term health
- living with diabetes at work, when travelling and when driving
Online learning for type 1 diabetes
There are several free online education platforms available for people living with type 1 diabetes.
These programmes provide information and support on topics including:
- carbohydrate counting
- physical activity
- insulin management
- insulin pump therapy
- living well with type 1 diabetes
The programs often include practical tools, resources and information in multiple languages.
Some options are:
Digibete (videos targeting young people, but also useful for adults)
Discover more about Diabetes with videos and online resources through the Digibete website (Opens in a new window)
BERTIE Diabetes
Learn more about Diabetes through BERTIE Diabetes education programme, discover more on their website (Opens in a new window).
Diabetes UK Learning Zone
Discover more about Diabetes through Learning Zone. Personalised advice, top tips and ongoing support. Read more on he Diabetes UK Learning Zone website (Opens in a new window)
Breakthrough T1D
Discover more on how Breakthrough T1D and their world-class research into type 1 Diabetes on their website (Opens in a new window).
Book a course
To book a course or find out more about the course options available, please call ESNEFT community diabetes service on 01206 833 003 or email the ESNEFT community diabetes service (North East Essex Diabetes Service – NEEDS)