Charity launches campaign to encourage people to move more in Devon

Diabetes UK, in partnership with Sport England, has launched an initiative to encourage and support people living with diabetes across Devon to get more active.

Moving more when you have diabetes is an important way of managing your condition and making a few small changes in your daily life can give your health a real boost.

Some of the many benefits of physical activity include helping the body use insulin better; helping to look after your blood pressure, as high blood pressure increases your risk of diabetes complications; and helping you lose weight if you need to.

Despite this, we know many people can find it difficult to start moving more, worrying that it can be too tiring or could cause hypos. That’s why Diabetes UK and Sport England are working together to help build confidence and provide support.

Phaedra Perry, Regional Head Diabetes UK South West said: “We hope people in Devon take up this opportunity to learn more about the benefits of moving more and start making small changes to how much activity they do.

“Many of us have felt anxious, worried and unable to keep active during the coronavirus pandemic. It really has never been more important to introduce activity for both a healthy body and a healthy mind.”

Taking those first steps to a healthier life can be tough, which is why Diabetes UK has introduced support to make the journey easier.

We have a dedicated physical activity helpline advisor who can offer practical and supportive advice about starting to move more in your day-to-day life. This support is available whatever your confidence level or ability to move. To find out more, or to just have a chat, email helpline@diabetes.org.uk or call 0345 123 2399.

As well as this, we’re running free physical activity classes online for people living with diabetes. These weekly one-hour ‘Get Moving’ classes will be led by a Diabetes UK Physical Activity Coordinator and will run for 10 weeks - starting in May. Participants will be able to try a different gentle activity every week and learn more about their diabetes and what support is available at Diabetes UK. To find out more, or register your interest in the classes, email helpline@diabetes.org.uk or call 0345 123 2399 and the group co-ordinator will be in touch.

Diabetes UK has also created a free PDF guide to help people with diabetes start moving more. It provides key information about why it’s important to get active and shows you how to include different types of exercise into your daily life. There’s space to track your progress over a 10-week journey and it's available to download now from our website: www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-movingmore

We’d also love to hear from people living with diabetes who have managed to keep moving during the past year, whether they’ve been walking the dog, stretching in front of the TV, carrying the shopping home or hula hooping in the garden. Share your story, or send us your photos and video clips, by emailing livewellmovemore@diabetes.org.uk