Our co-designed diabetes-themed programme is designed to help diabetics, pre-diabetics, and family members of diabetics with limited English and health literacy understand more about the condition and put the lifestyle changes they need into action.
When doctor [gives advice], I just say ‘okay’ when I not understand, but here I ask question and discuss thing. Everyone have same problem. I not feel bad saying truth.
The programme is a mix of Creative English workshops and community based-activities fostering peer support and putting lifestyle change into action over 10–12 weekly sessions.
Example session topics and activities
- Introducing diabetes—what is it and how does it affect us?
- The language around diabetes—what does it mean and how can you talk confidently to health professionals about this subject
- Snacks, reducing cravings, and starting the day in a healthy way
- Tasting of healthier products, rating them in terms of cost and flavour and getting ideas about how to use them
- Understanding packaging, healthy swops, and recipes for main meals
- Visit to a familiar supermarket to identify healthier alternative products for their shopping list.
- Buying ingredients, making and eating a healthy meal together
- Exercise—why it matters, what works for you, how to access it and the relevant language, e.g. to attend a leisure centre
- Walk or exercise class taster
- The consequences of too much blood sugar and what to monitor (checking feet)
- Overcoming barriers and setting goals
- Coffee shop social trip—including discussion of how healthy choices were going but primarily to encourage supportive friendships which will outlive the formal programme
Co-designing support for diabetics and pre-diabetics: finding from the pilot launch in Barking and Dagenham