The first two programmes of self care workshops for young people with Type 1 diabetes run by NHS County Durham has been a huge success.

NHS County Durham was the first Primary Care Trust in the country to commission the ‘Getting Sorted’ programme which provides education and support to young people between the ages of 12 and 17 years to cope with the day to day problems that living with Type 1 diabetes can bring.

A further programme consisting of five self care workshops has just been commissioned by NHS County Durham. The workshops will run between 10am and 3.30pm on Sundays from 6 September 2009 by the ‘Getting Sorted’ team who are looking for young volunteers in the 18 to 25 year group who have type 1 diabetes to act as facilitators in this next programme.

This innovative programme is run by the ‘Getting Sorted’ team of young people aged 18 to 25 with Type 1 diabetes, as the main feature of ‘Getting Sorted’ is, that it is a programme written by young people with Type 1 diabetes for young people with Type 1 diabetes and because of this, everyone present at the workshops can understand the pressures and issues of living with this condition.

MORE/…… Each workshop is based around activities and games as well as looking at different ways of coping with the condition.

The workshops are held in various sports centres across County Durham, rather than in a clinical atmosphere giving young people the freedom to talk about any issues surrounding their diabetes.

Mary Maplesden, co-ordinator for the getting sorted team, said: “We have already ran two sets of workshops and the response from all the young people involved has been very positive and enthusiastic!

“They all really enjoyed themselves at the workshops, despite being nervous about what to expect, they have made more friends and have all said they feel more confident in coping with life with diabetes because of the workshops.”

Anyone wanting further information or are interested in attending the workshops, or if you are aged 18 – 25, have Type 1 diabetes and would like to become a facilitator for these workshops we would like to hear from you, contact Mary Maplesden, Getting Sorted co-ordinator on 07534749660.

ENDS For further information, contact the communications department on 0191 333 3386.