frequently asked questions
Who can join Type 1 Bedfordshire?
Our group is open to anyone living with or affected by Type 1 Diabetes in Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, have been living with Type1 for any amount of time or would just like to understand more about the condition, you’re very welcome to join us.
Do I need to live locally to join?
While our focus is on Bedfordshire and our links are currently with the Diabetes Teams at Bedfordshire and Luton & Dunstable Hospitals, we welcome anyone from the surrounding areas who feels they could benefit from our local support network.
What happens at group meetings?
Our group meetings provide a safe, relaxed and informal setting to connect with others. We cover a range of topics proposed by our group members and sometimes structure meetings around a specific subject. From time to time we hold Q&A sessions on diabetes management with our local hospital teams and with pharmaceutical companies on specific diabetes technology.
CHARLIE – AGE 26
I wasn’t sure about coming along to begin with but it’s been brilliant. It’s a great bunch of people and I never feel like I’m being judged. The sessions are fun but practical and we have some really honest conversations about the highs and lows about living with type 1 and the challenges we can face.
type 1 for 19 years
Is there a cost to join?
Whilst joining and attending our meetings is completely free of charge, we do sometimes eat out as a group both to socialise and share ideas on navigating restaurant menus, and some of our Q&A sessions are held over a buffet supper where each member of the group is asked to make a small contribution to costs.
Is my personal information and what I share kept confidential?
Yes, confidentiality is important to us. We provide a safe space for members to share openly and we ask that all members respect the privacy in the group.
We do not have access to any of your medical information and unless you would like to share this as part of a conversation with one of us or at a group meeting, we will not ask you to disclose this or any personal details.
How do I get involved?
You can find information about our next meeting on our Info and Resources page or by contacting us directly via phone or email, details of which you can find on our Meet the Team page.