Richmond and
Twickenham
Voluntary Group
Please see our News page for our latest activities
Apart from the launch on a Saturday afternoon, all of our meetings have been held on weekday evenings as that seemed the most popular time from members’ feedback. However if there is sufficient support for afternoon sessions they might be organised.
If you would like to attend afternoon meetings, or if you would like to suggest topics for future meetings, please let us know by phoning 020 8941 1785 or emailing Alastair Mackinlay chair@DUKRT.org.uk
19th January - Parents Group
We are launching a parents' group, in which experiences can be shared and concerns discussed in a mutually helpful and supportive environment. It will be open to all parents of children with diabetes in Richmond, Twickenham and surrounding areas.
For this first meeting, Susie Reilly, head of events at Diabetes UK, described some of these events for children and young adults such as children's support holidays and family support weekends that give a unique opportunity to meet others of a similar age with the condition, to develop confidence in managing diabetes and also to have a good time.
Anyone who was unable to make this meeting but would like to know about future events, contact Kate Winstanley on 07590 924710 or email katewinstanley@live.co.uk
During the summer we pitched our tent at some of the Summer Fairs, including Richmond, St Margarets and Hampton. We had a lot of interest and spoke to many people who were diabetic themselves or knew someone who was. As well as giving out leaflets and contact details we ran a little quiz on healthy eating and were pleased to discover that a lot of people do know what is good for them!
Funds and Fundraising
As well as collections and raffles at our various events, we collected nearly £200 rattling our tins outside Tesco and received donations of £100 from Twickenham Rotary and a magnificent £170 from Mrs Valerie Hall, who ran a Care-for-a-Cuppa party.
We still have more than £4,500 from the Mayor's charity to fund projects next year. This year we sponsored research projects, bought DVDs for newly diagnosed Type 2s on the DESMOND course and arranged the Living with Diabetes Day to be held on 31 October.
We could do more of the same next year, but the Committee would welcome members' views including ideas for other projects.
27th November - Quiz Night
A very enjoyable time was had our annual quiz on Friday Nov 27th and we raised £212 on the night.
31st October - Living with Diabetes Day
Following the success of our 2008 event, another Living with Diabetes Day took place on Saturday 31 October, at Richmond Adult Community College.
150 people attended, taking part in discussions, led by clinicians, on several aspects of care including diet, depression, foot and eye complications and blood glucose control. They also heard about a range of research projects looking for a cure as well as new and improved treatments for diabetes.
8 September 2009
Jonathan Le Bosquet gave a talk on the subject of eye screening: what it is, why it is important and what services are available locally.
7 July 2009
Helen Church, Diabetes Specialist Nurse and Betty Ainslie, Acting Diabetes Services Manager/ DESMOND Co-ordinator, described the current Diabetes Services in Richmond, with a question and answer session.
24 February 2009
The guest speaker was Roz Rosenblatt, London Region Manager of Diabetes UK, who previewed the new Model of Care for Diabetes which is about to be published by Healthcare for London.
This meeting was also our annual AGM.
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.
Older events are listed on our
Activity History page.
Registered charity no. 215199
The information presented on this site is for general use only and is not intended to provide personal medical advice or substitute for the advice of your physician. If you have questions or concerns about individual health matters or the management of your diabetes, please consult your diabetes care team. Products highlighted on this website are not necessarily endorsed by Diabetes UK. Visit www.diabetes.org.uk for more information about the charity.