Bristol Diabetes Support Network

We run three groups across the city with the aim of offering support for people with any type of diabetes and their families and friends. We are all volunteers and people who live with diabetes. We do not give medical advice. We have strong links with our local health professionals who support us by providing speakers on a range of topics to do with diabetes. We also work closely with the local Sustainability and Transformation Partnership of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. The partnership consults with us on their plans to improve diabetes services in the region.

Bristol Central is a group for people with Type 1 diabetes. We meet 6 times a year and people from the group also choose to meet socially. We meet in different venues across the city.

Bristol East meets six times a year at The Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds, BS16 3TR. This is a group for people with any type of diabetes.

Bristol West as the South and East is for anyone with any type of diabetes. This group meets 4 times a year and also runs a gentle walking group 4 times a year. We meet at The Eastfield Inn, 219 Henleaze Road, Henleaze, BS9 4NQ. The walks usually start at the inn.

You are welcome to attend any of our meetings that interest you. There is no need to book in advance. The groups offer a friendly safe environment where you can meet others with diabetes, for some the first time, and share experiences of living with the condition. Here are some quotes from people who have attended our meetings;

South

That was really good, I found the meeting very helpful.

I enjoyed listening to that speaker, she knows what it’s like to have to watch what you eat!

East

I learned so much from today.

Thank you for this meeting, it taught me a lot.

I like this group, people are so friendly.

West

She was a good speaker, I didn’t know so much was going on in the field of research.

I’ve never met anyone with diabetes before, it’s good to chat.

Central

I very much enjoyed meeting you on Tuesday. It meant so much to me to be able to talk through some of my experiences and concerns with someone who knows and understands- and you were all so supportive (and enjoyable and interesting to meet anyway, diabetes aside!). It has been quite a scary and isolated time since I was diagnosed, particularly since I was so ill, and haven't been able to talk to any other Type 1s, apart from one friend of a friend who I had a phone chat with.

So I came back home on Tuesday feeling quite different. I can see how much work you put into the support network and want to give you my thanks for all that- maybe it feels like a thankless task at times- but I can certainly say it's much appreciated.