Diabetes and young people

Diabetes is usually thought of as a disease for older people but it can strike young people too. Sonia Winifred became involved with Diabetes UK when her teenage daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. With no local support for families and with help from Diabetes UK, she set up a local self help group to support families with young people living with diabetes. The group has grown into Diabetes UK Lambeth Lewisham and Southwark Family Support Group of which Sonia is Vice-chair. For more information see http://www.lslfamilysupportgroup.diabetesukgroup.org/home/home.asp or email dukllands@gmail.com

Sonia is also a Diabetes UK Community Champion in Lambeth working with black and minority ethnic communities where diabetes is more common. People from African and Caribbean communities are up to 3 times more at risk of developing diabetes and people from South Asian Communities are up to 6 times more at risk of developing diabetes. One in five people are unaware they have the condition.

Sonia’s role as a Community Champion is to help people recognise the signs of diabetes and to encourage them to go for health checks. Early diagnosis is vital to reduce the risk of complications For more information contact ask@soniawinifred.co.uk

Sonia is also a member of the Lambeth Labour Action Team in West Norwood.