South Tyneside event raises awareness of Type 2 diabetes

More than 100 people visited Cleadon Park PCT building in South Shields on Monday to find out more about the condition.

The event held on World Diabetes Day was organised by Equal People Network, supported by the borough’s various support groups.

It also coincided with the first day of Self-Care Week, which aims to promote how people can take more care of themselves.

During the event, the DVD ‘You’re Sweet Enough’ was launched to highlight Type 2 diabetes.

Carole Watson, from Your Voice Counts, said: “There were 104 people at NHS Cleadon Park on Monday to launch ‘You’re Sweet Enough’ – a project to raise awareness around Type 2 diabetes.

“The event was organised by the Equal People Network with support from many agencies across South Tyneside.

“This was World Diabetes Day and the first day of Self-Care Week.

“The group, which supports people with learning disabilities, showed their DVD called ‘You’re Sweet Enough’ and plans to use it to deliver diabetes awareness training in 2017.”

The event was opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside, Coun Alan Smith and his wife Coun Moira Smith.

Visitors on the day also heard from Tom Hall from Public Health who was invited to be a guest speaker.

World Diabetes Day is a global campaign led by the International Diabetes Federation.

It aims to raise awareness of the condition and the complications it can lead to if left untreated.