Support groups and forums for people living with diabetes
There are a variety of ways you can have your say and make a difference to how the ESNEFT community diabetes (North East Essex Diabetes Service – NEEDS) service is run for the benefit of patients. As well as regular patient surveys there will be local focus groups for patients to take part in.
The Colchester Diabetes Patient Forums are very important to the service as a way of consulting with patients. They are being supported to further develop their role and their programmes of meetings, talks and activities.
The Forums have representatives on the Diabetes Services Board which oversees the performance and development of services.
ESNEFT community diabetes (NEEDS) is also putting in place a network of people interested in leading new local support groups in other areas such as Harwich, Jaywick and Walton. The idea is for the groups to get together on an informal basis, supported by perhaps a Diabetes Specialist Nurse or Podiatrist or Dietician, as necessary, or just to spend time together as a group of patients to share experiences and support each other.
Why not come along to a meeting and find out more!
Colchester diabetes patient forum
The Colchester diabetes patient forum is a friendly group that meets on a Wednesday evening, every other month
The purpose of the forum is for people living with diabetes and their carers to meet and discuss the diabetes service and provide feedback to the Diabetes Services Board which steers how the service is run.
Attending our diabetes patient forum will give you the opportunity to learn more about diabetes and get involved in your diabetes care. We discuss a variety of topics such as:
- diet
- foot care
- weight management
- retinal eye screening
- exercise
- nutrition
- the ESNEFT community diabetes (NEEDS) service
Location: Community Room, Bluebell Surgery, 1st Floor, Jack Andrews Drive, Highwoods, Colchester, CO4 9YN
Visit our events calendar to see when we are meeting.
Contact: Steve Turner (Chairman)
Email: Email Colchester Diabetes patient forum Chair
Tendring diabetes support groups
The following groups are available:
Last Wednesday of each month:
West Mersea Town Council Offices, Melrose Road, West Mersea
14:00 – 15:30 – TEMPORARLY ON HOLD
Fourth Wednesday of each month:
Walton Community Forum, 61 High Street, Walton on the Naze CO14 8BD
10:30 – 12:00
This meeting is facilitated by Diabetes UK
Third Thursday of each month:
Kennedy Way Medical Centre, Clacton
10.00 – 11:00
Second Friday of each month:
The Robert Burr Community Pub, Burrs Road Clacton
15:00
This meeting is facilitated by Diabetes UK
Email the ESNEFT community diabetes (NEEDS) team for queries regarding support groups in Tendring
Type 1 Connect
Open to young people aged 16–25. Held on the last Thursday of every month.
Locations vary and will be announced on social media.
Adult Peer Support Group
Open to anyone aged 25 and over.
If you would like to join, please email the ESNEFT community diabetes (NEEDS) team and we will pass on your name and mobile number so you can be added to the WhatsApp group.
The group organises its own get-togethers, so there is not a fixed day or time that they meet.
Diabetes Service User Group
Join the Diabetes Service User Group to help Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board shape how future services are designed and delivered by service providers.
Sign up to the Diabetes Service User Group (Opens in a new window)
Local support services
Below are some links that can help you find useful local health services:
One Colchester Community Hub
01206 505 250
Therapy For you
01206 334 001
Visit the Therapy For you website (Opens in a new window)
Essex Wellbeing Service
03003 039 988 (Monday – Friday 8am-7pm and Saturday 9am-12pm)
Visit the Essex Wellbeing Service website (Opens in a new window)
Heathwatch Essex
Visit the Heathwatch Essex website (Opens in a new window)
Essex Diabetic Eye Screening Programme
Visit the Essex Diabetic Eye Screening Programme website (Opens in a new window)
Essex Employment Service
For help to retain or find work with a long term health condition, visit the Essex Employment Service website (Opens in a new window)