What is this service?
Bristol Community Health run a range of free diabetes education courses for people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes across the Bristol area. Our aim is to provide information and guidance to enable people to self-manage their condition and live the life they want to lead.
As well as attending a course, you can also visit our self-management page for people with diabetes. On this page you can access free online information packs, leaflets and a range of videos to support you to manage your condition. The videos are available in a wide range of community languages.
Education courses for people with Type 2 Diabetes
Living with Diabetes
“Excellent course, trainers get across all information but also listened to delegates worries and needs with reassuring answers. Feel much more reassured and looking forward to the future.” Delegate feedback
This education course is for people who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes within the last 12 months. It takes place over one day. South Asian and Somali translators are available, and the course meets national standards (comparable with DESMOND and X-Pert courses).
To find out about the latest dates for our Living with Diabetes course, or to self-refer, please contact our diabetes education team on 0117 9598970 or email [email protected]. If you are a healthcare professional and you’d like to refer a patient, please download the Living with diabetes referral form for clinicians.
Understanding Insulin (Previously ‘Can I eat Bananas?’)
“I have learnt so much to help me manage my diabetes successfully, including how to manage my insulin. I also understand carbohydrates and how they work. I have made changes and I am in single figures for the first time in years! Thank you!” Delegate feedback
This is a one day education course for people with Type 2 diabetes that have started on Insulin. It’s a fast paced day to cover all the key things you need to know about managing your diabetes with insulin to help you live life to the full. The training will help you to understand:
- What diabetes is
- What care you can expect from your healthcare team, including what is checked at an annual review
- Glycaemic index … is it gobbledygook?
- Which foods affect blood glucose levels
- Foods which help and foods which hinder
- What makes a healthy diet and how to lose weight
- How to make changes to lifestyle
- How lifestyle affects blood pressure
To find out about the latest dates for this course, to self-refer, or to refer a patient, please contact our diabetes education team on 0117 9598970 or email [email protected].
Type 1 diabetes courses
Food Freedom
“Absolutely brilliant course with three outstanding tutors. I thought I knew all I needed to know after 37 years of type 1 – I didn’t. I know more now than ever.” Food Freedom delegate
Based on the national BERTIE course, this four day education course will teach you how to adjust your insulin dose according to your food intake (akin to the national DAFNE course). Run one day a week for four weeks by a dietitian and diabetes specialist nurse, the course will provide accurate information about diabetes to help you self-manage your condition. The course will also enable you to talk to and learn from other people with Type 1 diabetes.
To find out about the latest dates for our Food Freedom course, or to self-refer, please contact our diabetes education team on 0117 9598970 or email [email protected]. If you are a healthcare professional and you’d like to refer a patient, please download the Food Freedom clinicians referral form.
Skills for Life
We are currently planning a range of short webinars for this later in the year.
If you would like further information or to register for this then please contact our diabetes education team on 0117 9598970 or email [email protected]. If you are a healthcare professional and you’d like to refer a patient, please download the Skills for Life clinicians referral form.