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2008 events

28 November 2008

Our annual quiz night, with Question Master Bob Watford.

8 November 2008

Diabetes UK in partnership with Richmond and Twickenham Voluntary Group held a "Living With Diabetes" day in Twickenham on Saturday 8 November. 

27 September 2008

We were invited to take part in Twickenham Rotary Club’s Annual Charity Swimathon on at Teddington Swimming Pool.

A sponsored swim and a team event, participants could swim as many or as few lengths as they wished; the total number of lengths swum by the whole team in 55 minutes was what counted. 70% of the proceeds went to our own charity, the rest to Twickenham Rotary Club. Our team did well!

9 September 2008

We were delighted to welcome back Kathy Hilton, GP Dietician at Kingston Hospital, for a discussion on diet at our regular September meeting. Kathy led a very informative and entertaining discussion on her visit two years ago.

8 July 2008

Tony Ulatowski, an accomplished exponent of the Art with two decades of experience, explained the principles of Tai Chi and demonstrate some techniques at our July meeting.

Recent studies have shown that gentle exercises prescribed by this ancient Chinese martial art can help lower blood glucose levels and boost the immune systems of people with Type 2 diabetes.

13 May 2008

Dr James Pickett from Diabetes UK’s Research Department discussed the latest projects being sponsored by Diabetes UK and some of the latest advances in care and treatment emerging from this research.

26 February 2008 - AGM and Open Forum

Our AGM was held on Tuesday 26th February, followed by a Diabetes Open Forum. This was a Question and Answer Session led by Dr Matthew Oldfield, consultant diabetologist and Janet Ridout, diabetes specialist nurse.

24 November 2007 - Prize Quiz Night

Our November meeting was another successful Prize Quiz Night!

16 October 2007 - charity walk

Photo of the Mayor of Richmond and DUKRT supporters spreading the word
The Mayor of Richmond upon Thames, Cllr Marc Cranfield-Adams joins a charity walk from Hammersmith to Richmond to raise money for Diabetes UK.

3rd October 2007Our October meeting was about ways of keeping fit without jogging in the park or going to the gym every day. Suzanne Smart, a physiotherapist with the Primary Care Trust demonstrated forms of exercise that can be done in your armchair and Angela Rowan from Richmond Council’s Active Living Scheme talked about gentle walks in the park and other forms of enjoyable exercise.

24th July 2007At the July meeting, Emma Morrison from the Primary Care Trust, gave a talk about The Expert Patients Programme, a course which gives people living with long term conditions the confidence to take control instead of allowing it to dominate their life. The difficulties encountered vary and may include isolation, pain, or limited mobility. The programme helps us share these experiences, learn how we might deal with them and the emotions associated with them, and get the most out of life.

18th June 2007Our June meeting featured a talk by Steven Clark, the podiatrist at Teddington Clinic, about the care of the feet - a vital matter for people with diabetes. Read the meeting report.

14th June 2007

The Mayor's tea party was his first event, held on 14th June in the elegant surroundings at York House, Twickenham. DUKRT is one of his two supported charities.

9th June 2007

DUKRT were at the Fair on the Nursery Green, The Avenue, on Saturday 9th June and our thanks to those who came and visit us including the Deputy Mayor, pictured below with the Carnival Princess.

Photo of The Deputy Mayor of Richmond visiting the DUKRT stand at the Hampton Fair

This event was run by The White House Community Association in aid of local charities.

12th April 2007

There was a large turnout of 50 people to hear Dr Catherine Gilvarry’s talk on Mental Health and Psychological Wellbeing in People with Diabetes. 

Dr Gilvarry reviewed research from as long ago as the 17th century which observed that depression is much more common in people with diabetes than in the population as a whole. The depression may not simply be a reaction to the diagnosis; some research shows that patients with a lifetime diagnosis of a major depressive disorder are twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

Depression is often missed both by busy doctors and patients themselves who may be hesitant to raise the subject with their GP. However, current NICE* guidelines suggest that screening for depression should be carried out on all high risk groups including people with diabetes. That should normally be done at the annual review.

 Research also shows that as depression is lifted, blood glucose levels improve and we all know that improved glucose control reduces the risk of complications. Anti-depressants, which are tailored to the needs of people with diabetes, and psychotherapy can also be very effective.

As well as treatment, we can also try to take control ourselves by eliminating sources of stress where possible, learning relaxation techniques, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly.

In summary:

* National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 

21 May 2007

Weather notwithstanding, we had a stand at the Richmond May Fair on Richmond Green where a number of people braved the elements to talk to us and find out about DUKRT.

8 February 2007

Our 8 February meeting was also our AGM. Our guest speaker was Dr Matthew Oldfield, consultant diabetologist at Teddington Memorial Hospital and at the Beta Cell Unit, Queen Mary's Hospital Roehampton, who gave a talk and answered questions on current developments in the treatment of diabetes.

Our chairman's report on the last meeting, which was very well
attended, can be found here. The full presentation is available in
Microsoft PowerPoint format. If anyone would like a copy, please email chair@DUKRT.org.uk (Microsoft PowerPoint is required to view this presentation).