About Us
The Group was originally set up over 20 years ago as a Family Support Group. However, this quickly developed into a general group, offering support and help to anyone living, or caring for someone, with diabetes in the local area.
Sally Renny was asked to join when her young daughter was diagnosed with type 1. When asked to take on the role of Secretary, Sally's response was "But I can't type!" and so she was given the role of Chair - a wise move! She was instrumental in taking the Group from strength to strength; from Committee meetings around her kitchen table, to the development of a programme of events, regular newsletter, and a website. Sally worked tirelessly to ensure that the Group reached people in the local community living with diabetes. Some of the Group's highlights include:
- Fighting for the establishment of the new Diabetes Centre at Russells Hall Hospital.
- Buying the HbA1c machine for Corbett Hospital Pathology Lab, as well as two Doppler machines for the Podiatry Department to test the circulation in patients feet.
- Fighting for the local introduction of insulin 'pens' to replace traditional syringes.
- Developing good relationships with Diabetes staff, either in the hospital or the community, so that we can raise patient concerns quickly.
- Funding Diabetes UK family weekends and holidays for children with diabetes.
- Production and publication of the 'Discovering Diabetes' information pack, and the 'Patient's Hand Held Record' for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics (both available to print off via this website).
- Establishing and organising the annual Fun Bike Ride to raise funds for this Group.
In 2008 Sally decided it was time to step down - after 20 years she had earned a break. We will be eternally grateful for her effort and support during the previous two decades; this Group probably wouldn't have survived without her.
A new Committee was voted in at the AGM in October 2008 and we are currently working hard to keep things going. Our first job was to review the mailing list, which had grown to around 800 people in recent years. A mail shot in January produced a positive response of over 250 replies which we were delighted with. We then decided to revamp the website - and you're looking at it, so we hope you approve!
We have organised several events for this year, although we have scaled back on previous years, simply due to our own time commitments. The ever-popular Fun Bike Ride is still there, and the Family Support Group will be holding regular meetings, as well as a few other events of general interest.
We hope you will find this website, and the Group in general, of interest and use. Please feel free to contact us with any feedback, suggestions, or comments because, after all, you're the reason we're here.
Disclaimer
The information presented on this site is for general use only and is not intended to provide personal medical advice or substitute for the advice of your physician.
If you have questions or concerns about individual health matters or the management of your diabetes, please consult your diabetes care team.
Products highlighted on this website are not necessarily endorsed by Diabetes UK.”