Type 2 diabetes support in the UK: your options
When you're diagnosed with Type 2, you get your bloods, your tablets and your yearly checks. What you often don't get is someone to help with the day-to-day bit: the food, the evenings, the bad weeks, the feeling that you're on your own with it.
There's more support in the UK than most people realise. Some of it is free and some of it costs money. Here's what's out there and who each option suits.
Your GP and practice nurse
This is your starting point. They look after your HbA1c, your tablets, your blood pressure and your yearly checks, and they're the ones who can refer you to most of the free options below.
Appointments are short, so go in with your questions written down. If you're not getting invited to your yearly checks, chase it.
Free NHS courses
Most areas offer a free course for people with Type 2. You'll often see them called DESMOND or X-PERT. They're usually a few group sessions covering food, your numbers and how Type 2 works.
In England there's also a free online programme called Healthy Living, which you can do in your own time on your phone or computer. Ask your GP, or look it up to see if you can sign up yourself.
These courses are good for understanding the basics. They're not designed to be ongoing support.
NHS Path to Remission
If you're in England, were diagnosed fairly recently and meet the rules on age and weight, you might be able to join the NHS Path to Remission programme. It's a free year-long programme using soups and shakes for the first few months, with support throughout. Your GP has to refer you. More on this in Type 2 remission: what it really takes.
Diabetes UK
The charity Diabetes UK has lots of free information, local support groups in many areas and an online forum. It also has a helpline on 0345 123 2399 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm). In Scotland the number is 0141 413 5148.
The helpline is good when you've got a specific question or you're worried and want to talk to someone who knows about diabetes.
Facebook groups and online communities
There are some big Type 2 groups online, and they can be brilliant for feeling less alone. People share what they ate, what their numbers did and what worked for them.
A word of warning, though. A lot of the advice is American, so the numbers are in different units, and some of it is just wrong. Be wary of anyone selling a miracle cure, and don't change your tablets because someone in a group said so.
Apps
There are plenty of apps for tracking food, activity and blood sugar, and some programmes run through an app. They suit people who like data and can motivate themselves. They're less good at picking you up when it's all gone wrong.
Coaching
A Type 2 coach works with you week by week on the things that are hardest to change on your own: habits, evenings, cravings and getting back on track after a bad patch. Good coaching sits alongside your GP and diabetes team. It isn't medical advice and it shouldn't replace your appointments.
If you look at coaching, check what's included, how long the support lasts and whether the coach promises results. Nobody honest can promise you remission or lower numbers.
This is what I do with SODIT. It's 12 weeks of coaching with me, daily support on WhatsApp and a full year in a support group with people who get it. I've lived with Type 2 for over twenty years, so I know the bad days from the inside.
Which one is right for you?
| Option | Cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| GP and practice nurse | Free | Tests, tablets and yearly checks |
| NHS courses (DESMOND, X-PERT, Healthy Living) | Free | Learning the basics |
| NHS Path to Remission | Free if eligible | People recently diagnosed who want to try for remission |
| Diabetes UK helpline and groups | Free | Questions, information and local groups |
| Online groups | Free | Feeling less alone |
| Coaching, like SODIT | Paid | Ongoing, personal support to make changes stick |
Most people use more than one. The free NHS options are a great start, and it's worth taking all of them. Then think about what you still need.
Supporting someone with Type 2
If you're reading this for a partner, parent or friend, the most useful thing you can do is back them up without nagging. Eat the same meals rather than cooking them something separate. Go for the after-dinner walk with them. Don't police their plate or comment on their weight. And if they have a bad week, don't make it into a big deal.
If you're new to all this, start with Just diagnosed with Type 2? What to do first. And if you've heard about reversing Type 2 and want the honest version, read Can you reverse Type 2 diabetes?
Want someone in your corner?
SODIT is 12 weeks of coaching with me, daily support on WhatsApp, then a full year in a support group with people who get it. It starts as soon as you join. £997.
Questions people ask
Are there Type 2 diabetes support groups online?
Yes. Diabetes UK has an online forum, and there are large Type 2 groups on Facebook. They're great for feeling less alone, but check any advice with your GP or diabetes team before acting on it.
What does a Type 2 diabetes coach do?
A coach works with you week by week on habits, food, evenings and getting back on track after a bad patch. They don't give medical advice or change your medication. Good coaching works alongside your GP and diabetes team.
How can I support someone with Type 2 diabetes?
Back them up without nagging. Eat the same meals, go for walks together, don't police their plate, and don't make a big deal of a bad week.
Keep reading
Auriel isn't a doctor or a lawyer. This is general information from her own experience and UK guidance. Always follow your GP and diabetes team.