Our young patients with diabetes enjoyed rock climbing sessions thanks to donations from our partners  Manrochem and Johnson & Johnson.

Their support has enabled us to kick start a new program of diabetes education sessions for our young patients with type 1 diabetes and the sessions were held in Brighouse.

The children had the opportunity to take part in activities including bouldering, top roping, team building and caving. Our psychologist Amanda Gill provided extra well-being support.  Topics such as carb counting at lunch times were also covered through art and craft activities and group work.  

Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse Rachael Bowker said “It gave the children a chance to meet up other children with type 1 diabetes."As a team we felt that the benefits of the wellbeing day were immeasurable and allow young people to get together in a non-clinical environment and form friendships.  It’s great too, to be able to show the children that they can join in activities like any other child as they can be excluded from trips with schools due to their diabetes.”

Rufus the teddy bear was also involved in the two- day event. (photo attached) Rufus was set up by Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation -  a charity for people living with type 1 diabetes. Every child is given their very own Rufus by the team when they are diagnosed. He has patches on his body to show children where they can inject insulin and take their blood tests.

Rachael Bowker, added: "Parents reported that the day got the children talking about their diabetes at home and what they had learnt and that the children had more confidence talking about their diabetes. Every parent we asked said that their child definitely benefited from meeting other children of a similar age with type 1 diabetes.”

You can follow all of Rufus’s adventures here