Diabetes UK Northern Ireland

27/11/2025

Last week we were invited to the Diabetes Research Centre at Ulster University where staff and volunteers got to see some of the current research in diabetes. The team at UU also hosted a tour of the facilities allowing us to see how different programmes work alongside each other for improving outcomes for people living with diabetes.

Thank you to the centre and researchers for showcasing their work and highlighting NI innovation. 🙌

21/11/2025

We're hosting a Women’s health day next weekend and would love it if you could come along 💙

Take a breather with other women at Riverdale Barn, Aghagallon. Relax, connect, and enjoy some me time. Pop by stalls from Tropic, Neal’s Yard, and merchandise from Real Strong Women to browse or purchase yourself up a treat.

The day will involve:
Mindfulness and gentle movement with Sarah from Changing cycles
Creating your own essential oils - with Mandy from Haven@Harvue
And some light refreshments

📅 Sunday 30 November
🕙 10am to 1pm
📍 Riverdale Barn, Aghagallon

🔗 Register and read more: https://orlo.uk/NI-womens-health-event_qdCH8

19/11/2025

Last week we held a drop in event at Stormont to mark . Our staff and volunteers took the opportunity to showcase to MLAs what it is like to live with diabetes and the support on offer from Diabetes UK locally. We also launched our calls to action for the Health Minister to ensure diabetes remains a priority across 2026 and beyond. We asked those who attended to support us with this and appreciate the engagement from all those who came along.

We are calling for the Health Minister to:
- Invest in awareness, prevention and early detection of diabetes
- Increase access to transformative diabetes technology in line with other UK regions
- Improve data monitoring within 12 months, to support funding, service planning, and measuring the impact of diabetes care
- Prioritise diabetes care and services in Northern Ireland beyond 2026 when the 10 year Strategic Framework for diabetes comes to an end

Sinn Féin Ireland Democratic Unionist Party Alliance Party of Northern Ireland Social Democratic and Labour Party

14/11/2025

11/11/2025

There’s not enough research into how menopause and diabetes impact one another. But we’re funding researchers at Ulster University to investigate experiences of perimenopause and menopause in women living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

You can help close the research gap by taking part – they’re also looking for women who have experienced peri- and menopause without diabetes. Taking part involves an online survey. For more information: https://orlo.uk/menopause-research_rqQMj

07/11/2025

What an amazing day we had at Belfast Activity Centre! Check out some of our highlights 📸

We'd like to say a massive thank you to all the families who joined us for our adventure day – from caving and bushcraft to team challenges, it was brilliant to see so many smiles, new friendships, and confidence growing throughout the activities 💙

And a huge shout-out to the fantastic team at BAC for helping everything run so smoothly and making the experience so enjoyable for everyone 👏

If your family would like to hear about more upcoming Diabetes UK family events here in Northern Ireland, please drop us a message:
📧 communityteamni@diabetes.org.uk

We also have a great opportunity for young people aged 11–25 living with type 1 diabetes to connect with others and get involved in fun activities and support through our Together Type 1 community:
🔗 Sign up here: https://orlo.uk/ZjwWm

We hope to see you at a future event soon! 💙

06/11/2025

05/11/2025

Join our next Online Peer Support session for adults living with . This monthly support group is very informal and full of chat - all you need to bring is yourself and a cuppa ☕

If you're aged 18+, living with type 1 diabetes and have access to Zoom, we'd love for you to join us! 💙

📅 Wednesday 19 November
🕖 7.30pm to 8.30pm
💻 Online via Zoom
📧 Register by emailing: communityteamni@diabetes.org.uk

29/10/2025

Did you know people living with diabetes are eligible for a FREE flu vaccine across the UK?

If you have diabetes and get the flu, you are more at risk of being unwell for longer and developing more serious complications like pneumonia. It can also make diabetes harder to manage.

Get in touch with your GP or local community pharmacy to book an appointment. To find out more about diabetes and the flu, including what to do in your region, head to https://orlo.uk/flu-jab_c8INr

27/10/2025

Have you been attending our Live Well Hubs? Here are the dates for November 👇

• Ballymena – Wednesday 5 November – 10-11am – Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke will be coming along to chat about health improvement.
• Belfast – Houben Centre – Thursday 6 November – 10-11am – PARS – (physical activity referral scheme) information from the PARS team and the referral process, some light chair based activities.
• Belfast – LORAG – Friday 7 November – 11am-12pm – Peer support session with a Diabetes Specialist Nurse.
• Lisburn – Tuesday 11 November – 10-11am – RNIB Northern Ireland will be sharing about support available and the importance of eye health and attending appointments.
• Newry – Wednesday 12 November – 10-11am – Retinopathy team providing information about eye health, diabetic retinopathy, and what to expect at eye appointments.
• Bangor – Tuesday 18 November – 10-11am – Make the call team will be providing information about accessing benefits and support or services you may be eligible to.
• Mid Ulster – Thursday 20th November – 10-11am – Peer support session.

We'd love to see you at your local Hub! No booking required just come along to meet the team and have a chat with healthcare professionals 💙

Details of each of our Hubs, including locations, can be found on our website: https://orlo.uk/7MhFz

If you'd like more information about our , or you are a healthcare professional that would like to support, please contact: communityteamni@diabetes.org.uk

23/10/2025

We are having a live well day on Saturday 8 November 💙

Why not come along to this FREE event and hear from healthcare professionals about living well with diabetes. The session will cover; advice for managing diabetes day-to-day, nutrition and healthy eating, support and resources from Diabetes UK, and more.

No booking required but if you would like more information, contact communityteamni@diabetes.org.uk ✉️

20/10/2025

🎃 Halloween Collection Day 👻

On Friday 31 October, the Strabane Diabetes Support Group will be holding a fundraising collection at ASDA, Strabane from 10am–4pm. Previous collections have been warmly supported by ASDA customers, and the team is looking forward to another great day!