Brigstowe is a Bristol based charity, which supports people living with HIV, other long term health conditions and protected characteristics. From the success of our HIV Peer Support service, we launched a similar service for people struggling with type 2 diabetes in 2019.
We have an inspiring team of volunteers who are all living with type 2 diabetes who are able to offer 1-2-1 emotional support and advice on a weekly basis to anyone who needs a helping hand in taking control of their diabetes.
“As a mentor, I really enjoy talking with my mentee about how they are feeling. As I was able to make changes to my own diet and lifestyle with help from my mentor, I can now support my mentee to do the same.” - Faith, mentor
Some of Brigstowe's current peer mentors receiving online support.
Our volunteer mentors have been through their own struggles with diabetes and understand how isolating and scary a diagnosis can be. That’s why they’re so keen to help others who are in the same situation that they’ve been in before. Knowing that you’re not alone can be a huge relief both emotionally and physically.
“(I) found (mentoring) excellent. Confidence to control my sugar level without feeling deprived has increased, and my latest hba1c result had dropped 13 points from the previous test! I also had the confidence to ask my diabetic nurse for things that the mentor said I could/should get but hadn’t been offered. I can only recommend it!” - Anonymous mentee
Due to the COVID-19 situation, the service had to be paused in April 2020, but in November 2020 we relaunched as a purely digital service in order to continue to support those in need. However, as restrictions have eased, we've reintroduced in-person mentoring alongside the digital option, so people who aren’t able to access to the internet could still meet with a mentor.
Find out how you can make a difference as a Type 2 Diabetes Peer Mentor
In recent months, we’ve seen demand for the service really grow, and as we now have a waiting list we are in urgent need of more volunteers to join our amazing team of Peer Mentors! You’ll receive full training, 1-2-1 support from me, Robyn, the Peer Support Coordinator, and will meet like-minded people who are passionate about helping others.