We have now returned to holding regulare monthly meetings
The dates for our meetings in 2024 are as follows:-
| February 21st | August 21st |
| March 20th | September 18th |
| April 17th | October 16th |
| May 15th | November 20th |
All our meetings will be held in the Croftfoot United Free Church of Scotland hall, 349 Carmunnock Road, Glasgow, G44 5HH.
Entrance to the hall is from Croftpark Avenue.
Meetings start at 7.30pm (access to the hall from 7.15pm) and we usually finish by 9.00pm.
The Glasgow South group exists to provide help and support for people living with diabetes or those supporting someone living with diabetes. It is vitally important that as many people as possible come along to our meetings and give their advice on what the group needs to be doing. The meeting is open to anyone with an interest in diabetes and there is no cost to attending.
We need your help to guide the future work of the group and we need people attending group meetings to keep the group alive.
What do we do?
The group provides a chance for people with diabetes and their
families/carers to get together for support and information about
diabetes care and treatment. It is run by a small group of volunteers
who plan the meetings and arrange for speakers to talk on subjects
usually related to diabetes. As part of a national charity 'Diabetes UK'
we can provide their information leaflets on a range of topics as well
as information about their many services.
What happens at the meetings?
It is very informal. We have a speaker on a topic of interest to those
with diabetes. There is usually a lively discussion and a chance for
people to ask questions. After the speaker we have tea/coffee and a
plain biscuit. We have in the region
of 20-30 people at each meeting, although this varies for different
reasons. You don't require to book a place - just turn up whenever it
suits you - you will be made very welcome.
How often are the meetings?
We meet on the third Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm till 9.00pm from
August to November and February to May. For details of the next
meeting contact us.
Is there a cost to attend?
NO - anyone with an interest in diabetes is welcome. Our group is made
up of people with diabetes and those with an interest in learning more
about diabetes. We aim to be a self-supporting group. There are
Diabetes UK membership forms available if you want to join. We also try
to have back numbers of 'Balance' magazine which is always full of
useful information and articles.
Our recent meetings
October 2024
THis month John Kearney, the National Director of Diabetes Scotland came to talk to us. John outlined the changes taking place within the organisation and how priorities are being set for the future.
September 2024
Our speaker this month was be Dr Catherine Wright, a researcher at Glasgow Caledonian University. Catherine told us about current research in the area of diabetic ulcer and other work being done in het department.
August 2024
Our speaker this month was Dr Stephen Lindsay, a researcher at Glasgow University. Stephen is a lecturer in digital healthcare and is interested in exploring the intersection between diet, diabetes and mental health. He was looking for feedback from the group on his ideas.
May 2024
We started the evening with a pesentation from Gwyn Gould. Gwyn is a researcher at Strathclyde University. He told us about his ground breaking research into the way in which insulin aids the take up of glucose by cells and the processes which take place with cells. This is enabled by using the very latest analytical techniues.
We then went on to hold our A.G.M. and elect a group committee for the coming year
April 2024
Our speaker this month was Tony Doherty. Tony is an old friend of the group and a diabetes specialist nurse in the local area. Tony talked about food and healthy eating then went on to answer questions from those present.
March 2024
We watched a couple of videos about diabetes then held a lively discussion on the practicalities of living with the condition
February 2024
Our speakers this month were Adam Shaw and colleagues from Strathclyde University and Nutrition Scotland. They are developing resources that can help people caring for / or supporting people at risk of Type 2 Diabetes with lifestyle behaviour change. They explained their project in detail and had a very useful discussion with the group members. It became clear during the discussion that as well as Apps and other new tecnology resources some people need more conventional support in the form of printed materials.
November 2023
Dr Boatemaa Ofori-Frimpong from Glasgow Caledonian University together with two of her colleagues from Glasgow Caledonian University.
We heard about the huge difficulties facing those suffering with diabetes in West Africa. The meeting then moved on to give everyone present an opportunity share their experiences of living with the condition.
October 2023
Our guests this month were group of physiotherapists from Glasgow Caledonian University who are developing an online Health Promotion website aimed at people with diabetes. They discussed their plans with the group in order to get feedback from people living with diabetes. We also got some get some ideas from them to help improve our health.
September 2023
Our speaker this month was Tony Doherty. Tony is a long time supporter of our group. He is a diabetes specialist nurse with a very wide experience of helping people living with diabetes to cope with their condition. This month Tony was invited talk and answer questions of importance to people newly diagnosed with the condition as well as those who have been living with diabetes from some time and are having difficulties managing. This he achieved in his usual really helpful manner.
August 2023
The speaker at our August meeting was Mhairi Prentice from the Psychology Dept, University of Strathclyde. Mhairi told us about her research into the psychological problems of living with diabetes. She is mainly concerned with young people but her findings relevance for all of us.
May 2023
We held our AGM which heard reports of the work of the group over the preceeding year. We then re-elected our group committee followed by some sancks and general discussion.
April 2023
Tony Doherty, a diabetes specialist nurse gave very detailed answers to questions raised by those present
March 2023
Jamie Wilson told us of his experience of living with type 1 diabetes for many decades and his involvement with the 'cycling with diabetes group'
February 2023
We had a general discussion of the many problems of living with diabetes.
November 2022
Group members discussed the problems associated with being newly diagnosed with diabetes and gave advice to those affected.
October 2022
We had a diabetes quiz which stimulated some lively discussion.
September 2022
Erica Carmichael from voluntary action East Renfrewshire, told us about about the NHS Type 2 diabetes project she is coordinating. The project is aimed at providing digital support for those in her area to access online resources shuch as MyDiabetesMyway online.
Her talk lead to a lively discussion amongst those present about the difficulties those without access to modern technology have when so much support is moving online.
August 2022
Our first face to face meeting since the pandemic. We held our first AGM for two years where we elected a new group committee then proceeded to a discussion on our various experiences of living through the previous couple of years of restrictions.
October 2019
Linda McGlynn from Diabetes Scotland explaind some of the changes being planned by the health board around their retinal screening program. Linda also showed us some of the proposed designs of retinal screening leaflets and sought the opinions of the group
September 2019
Marie Jarvis gave a very interesting talk about how to substitute unhealthy snacks with much healthier alternatives. Marie then went on to talk about healthy nutrition in general.
August 2019
Dr Chris Smith, a consultant in diabetes, gave us a very interesting talk covering improvements in the types of insulin available and how they can make life easier for those with diabetes who are insulin dependent. He then went on to outline improvements and new findings regarding the effects of a number of classes of drugs used to treat diabetes
Dr Chris Smith addressing our meeting
Latest news and events.
Group members in discussion with speakers from Galagow Caledonian University at our November 2023 meeting
Four members of our group collected £153 for Diabetes UK outside B & Q in Darnley.
The goup committee and members would like to thank SCOTMID for its generous donation of £350 to enable us to purchase a data projector and other equipment. This will make it easier for our speakers to show visual presentations at our meetings.
Members of our group at a diabetes stall in Erskine Home in Bishopton. The home provides care for veterans and their spouses.
Diabetes Scotland has a new careline number.
Call or email the Diabetes Scotland Careline with any of your questions, concerns or feelings about living with diabetes.
Tel: 0141 212 8710 or email careline.scotland@diabetes.org.uk.
9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday.
