1. Peer Support Groups for Young People with Diabetes
Newham UCLP Programme
Dr Shanti Vijayaraghavan
February 2017

2. Key Facts about Newham Borough of Newham 332,583 pop.
30% are < 20 years, making it the youngest borough in the UK
90% of school children are from a minority ethnic group
42% of children < 16 years are living in poverty
Obesity levels in children are higher than the English average
The age-specific prevalence of
T2DM in children and young adults within Newham is the highest in the UK at 0.57/1000 (Type 2 Diabetes in children and young adults in East London: an alarmingly high prevalence. A Balasanthiran, T O'Shea, A Moodambail, T Woodcock, AJ Poots, M Stacey, S Vijayaraghavan. Practical Diabetes June 2012;29(5):193-8)

3. “Understand that there may be other things going on in my life when you treat me: be interested in me as a person, not just a diabetic”

4. You’re Welcome 2010 One of 14 National Pilot Sites
Key Findings from three focus groups:
Need for improved ease and flexibility of access to acute services
Need for peer support groups
Need for a more “ holistic” model of care

5. Peer support for young people (16-25 years) with diabetes – impact on self-management and user engagement (2014)  
Aim: to explore the scope and feasibility of a peer supported
diabetes self-management programme for young people,
using a “story sharing” model
Monthly, evening drop-in two hour groups
Community venues
Ability to discuss a range of health/non-health issues
Work with a range of local partners
Facilitated by a social anthropologist and research nurse
Involve young people in the design of these groups

6. Project Outputs PATIENTS
A well established peer support group for young people 16-25
years with support from local stakeholders addressing health &
social care needs
SERVICE
A re-designed clinical service using patient feedback
ACADEMIC:
Qualitative & quantitative data to determine impact on clinical
outcomes, patient engagement and organisational impact
? Subsequent RCT

9. What next?
The East London* CCG TST (Transforming Services Together) Programme:
A multi-agency working group
Appointment of 4 Youth Commissioners to lead service redesign
Working with East Ham Library to create a Young People’s Hub
Working with NCY ( New Choices for Youth) to sustain peer support
Exploring the role of group clinics for young people with diabetes: NIHR HS & DR proposal
Application for Diabetes Transformation Funds
* Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest

10. THANK YOU
The team:
Desiree Campbell- Richards, Diabetes Research Nurse Teresa O’Shea, DSN for Young Adult diabetes service (recently retired)
Fiona Pullen, DSN for Young Adult Diabetes Service
Rita Sudra, DSN for Young Adult Diabetes Service
Dietetic colleagues – Paediatric and Adult Diabetes Services
Ohmar Myint, Associate Specialist Young Adult Service
Anna Collard. Social Anthropologist
Dr Abdul Moodambail, Consultant Paediatrician
Jenny Hurley, Paediatric DSN
Dr Jessica Walker, Clinical Psychologist
Rachelle Ferrer, Newham Diabetes Project
Anil Shah, Newham CCG Lead
The Youth Champion, Youth Commissioners, Peer Group Members