Diabetes Peer Support

*COVID-19 & T2 Diabetes Peer Mentoring Update

In light of the COVID-19 situation the Brigstowe offices are closed and staff are working at home. Mentors and mentees are continuing their mentoring sessions via the telephone, WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype and FaceTime.

Brigstowe will be running training to become a peer mentor later on in the year. We will send updates to those who have already registered for the training when a date has been decided. In the meantime if you would like to register for the training or would like some more information please do get in contact.

If you would like to meet with a mentor please get in contact.

The Diabetes and Nutrition Service (DANS) has suspended all face to face diabetes education due to the pandemic, as per government advice. All routine work has been stopped at present in response to service planning for the pandemic. We would encourage anyone with diabetes to seek online advice, where able, or to contact their GP or Practice Nurse if they have any concerns regarding their diabetes.

For more information specifically for people living with Type 2 diabetes and COVID-19 please check the Diabetes UK website for regular updates, information and advice www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus

Other websites that may be useful during this time include

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Are you living with Type 2 diabetes and want to help others? Become a peer mentor!

Are you enthusiastic and enjoy motivating others? We are looking for people who are living with Type 2 diabetes in Bristol who can listen, share experiences and encourage others to feel more confident and in control of their health. As a peer mentor you will share your own experiences of living with Type 2 diabetes with others who have been more recently diagnosed.

“I mentor because I wish a service like this had been available for me when I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I had a lot of false starts in managing it. Now that I feel I am, I’m really happy to be able to help others do the same” (Mentor, 2019)

As a peer mentor you will:

  • Receive full training and ongoing support
  • Develop your knowledge of type 2 diabetes
  • Meet other people living with type 2 diabetes
  • Have expenses relating to mentoring reimbursed

Please get in touch to find our when our next training is 0117 9555038 or info@brigstowe.org

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Are you living with Type 2 Diabetes?

Would it be helpful to speak to another person also living with Type 2 Diabetes?

Our peer mentoring service is a great opportunity to meet one-to-one with a mentor who is also living with Type 2 Diabetes.

“I have always felt like I am the same as I was 20 years ago, but the diagnosis made me feel my age. After taking part in mentoring I now feel like I did before, 20 years younger.” (Mentee, 2019)

 You can meet with the same mentor weekly who will:

  • Listen any challenges or obstacles you may have
  • Share their own experiences with you of what helps them
  • Provide you appropriate information about Type 2 Diabetes
  • Support you to identify goals and will encourage and support you in to listen to you

The ultimate goal of this service is to help you self-manage your condition and to equip you with the knowledge to confidently live with type 2 diabetes. 

“I think it has been a good service that has helped me maintain my diabetes. It was really good to know that I had someone to talk to and encourage me to push myself.” (Mentee, 2019)

If you are or know people who may be interested in meeting with a peer mentor, please contact us 0117 9555038 or info@brigstowe.org

We have recently carried out a mid-term evaluation of the Diabetes Peer Support Service.  You can find an abbreviated version of the evaluation Here.