Diabetes UK the charity that campaigns on behalf of people living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes recently started a nationwide recruitment drive to appoint 1000, yes one thousand Community Champions from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community in Britain. There are not many of these ethnic groups involved in engaging with others about diabetes and yet all the statistics, empirical data and research point to the fact that they are the ones more prone or at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes at an earlier age than their white counterparts or actually have the condition. There are thousands of others who have never had a risk assessment for diabetes done by their doctor and that too is alarming. Other factors include metabolism/genetic structure, ethnicity and weight but even people of a healthy weight can develop diabetes.
The good news is that this medical condition in most cases is preventable or can be managed with good diet control and physical activity. One must add that I am living proof of that as although Type 2 diabetes runs in my family I have lived with this medical condition for 12 years and have never ever taken medication for it.
As some of you know I have been doing this voluntary work since 2012 as one of the Diabetes UK Community Champions who realize that there is a dire need to recruit more BAME volunteers to deliver appropriate training and help to get the message out there. Contrary to popular belief you do not have to have this medical condition in order to become a Community Champion.
I urge all of you to seriously consider applying to become one of the Community Champions. Training is given and there is as of now ongoing recruitment throughout the country with the first two day training in Birmingham for successful applicants in the Midlands region on Friday 3rd June and Saturday 4th June from 9.00 a.m.until 4.00 p.m Attendance being on both days.
Delivering the key messages via slides, dvd, etc is not rocket science. I can vouch for the presentations, seminars and workshops that I do in the Midlands by saying it is one of the most uplifting, enjoyable and rewarding experiences of my life.
Please read and digest the attached poster with all the information and following telephone interviews over the next couple of weeks the first set of the next batch of successful Community Champions for the Midlands area will be chosen to attend the dates aforementioned. Just to reiterate this is an ongoing recruitment drive but I really hope the interest will be huge. Kindly remember that this recruitment drive is for the entire country so do consider applying as it is really rewarding voluntary work.
Now is the time for us to make a real difference on the health and well being agenda and improve the quality of people’s lives as well as save lives. So do act in a positive manner even if it is forwarding this to others who you think it might be of interest to.
