Finding help and support - Type 2 diabetes

There's a lot of information and support available for type 2 diabetes. Some of the support depends on the area you live in.

Take a course to help you manage your diabetes

There are free education courses to help you learn more about and manage your type 2 diabetes.

• Healthy living for people with type 2 diabetes: online course from the NHS. If you are aged 18 or over and live in England, you can sign yourself up. You will not need a referral.
• Your area may have local courses to support people with type 2 diabetes, such as DESMOND or X-PERT. These are often in groups and face-to-face. Your GP will usually need to refer you.

Telling DVLA you have type 2 diabetes

If you're taking insulin for your type 2 diabetes, you will need to tell DVLA. This is because of the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). You can be fined if you do not tell DVLA.

Even if you do not take insulin, it's important to be aware of the rules for driving if you have diabetes, particularly if you take other medicines that can cause hypos.

Find out more about diabetes and driving from GOV.UK.

Support groups for type 2 diabetes

The charity Diabetes UK runs local support groups.

These can help with things like managing your diabetes on a daily basis, diet, exercise or dealing with emotional problems, such as depression. They offer a place to talk and find out how others live with the condition.

News, forums and apps

• Diabetes.co.uk forums – discussions about living with and managing diabetes
• Diabetes UK forums – discussions about living with and managing diabetes
• Diabetes UK: your stories – a collection of articles about people's experiences with diabetes
• Diabetes.co.uk: diabetes chat – scheduled chats with healthcare professionals or just the chance to talk to others
• Diabetes.co.uk: diabetes apps – find apps to help you manage your diabetes

Telling others can be difficult

It can be difficult to tell others you have diabetes, but it can help for certain people to know.

By telling your family they can support you, especially as you will need to make changes to what you eat.

It's important your colleagues or employer know you have diabetes in case of an emergency.

Being diagnosed with diabetes can affect your mood. Telling your partner will help them understand how you feel.

Carry medical ID in case of an emergency

Some people choose to wear a special wristband or carry something in their wallet that says they have diabetes, in case of an emergency.

If it's known that you have diabetes, this can make a difference to the treatment you'll receive.

Search the internet for "medical ID" to find websites that sell them.