Project info

Project Details :

The Diabetes Awareness Project was funded to raise awareness, provide education, and support early prevention of Type 2 diabetes among African, Caribbean, South Asian, and wider BAME communities. Many people at high risk of diabetes face barriers to understanding symptoms, lifestyle links, and early warning signs. This project aimed to reduce these barriers, increase knowledge, and empower individuals to take control of their metabolic health and reduce long-term complications.

01

Awareness Workshops & Information Sessions

Easy-to-understand education on Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, blood sugar levels, and long-term risks.
02

Culturally Relevant Nutrition Guidance

Advice tailored to African, Caribbean, South Asian, and other cultural diets, focusing on portion control, healthier swaps, and sugar reduction.
03

Support and Signposting

Clear pathways to GP checks, NHS Diabetes Prevention services, dietitians, and community health support.

What We Did :

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Blood Sugar & Lifestyle Management Tips

Raising awareness, reducing stigma, and empowering communities to take control of their diabetes risk. Delivered in community settings, covering symptoms, lifestyle factors, prevention, and practical tips.

  • Clear, accessible education on diabetes risks, symptoms, and prevention.
  • Tailored guidance on diet, physical activity, and healthy habits.
  • Friendly support to access GP checks, health services, and community resources.
  • Simple, everyday strategies to lower risk and improve wellbeing.

Final Results :

Diabetes Awareness Programme Report

QALYCOM Health CIC – Pilot Program Report

Programme Name: Diabetes Prevention & Awareness Workshops
Date / Duration: 2024/ 2025
Location: Rochdale Borough (Central and Heywood)

Programme Overview

Objective:

To improve diabetes awareness, promote early detection, support healthier lifestyle choices, and empower adults particularly from African, Caribbean and South Asian communities who are at higher risk to better understand and manage their blood glucose levels.

Target Population:

Adults aged 25–75 from African, Caribbean, South Asian, and wider BAME backgrounds at increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

Expected Outcomes:

  • Improved understanding of diabetes risk and symptoms
    • Better self-management and dietary behaviours
    • Reduction in fasting blood glucose
    • Increased physical activity
    • Improved health-related quality of life
    • QALY gains

Baseline Data

Metric

Baseline (Avg)

Participants

Notes

Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)

112 mg/dL

59

Pre-intervention measurement

BMI

30.2

59

Overweight / high diabetes risk

Knowledge of Diabetes

Low

59

Limited awareness of symptoms & risks

Physical Activity

Low

59

<1 hr/week

Diet Quality

Moderate–poor

59

High sugar, refined carbs, low fibre

Programme Activities

  • Diabetes education workshops using visual and culturally tailored materials
    • Demonstrations on reading food labels and reducing sugar intake
    • Coaching on portion control and healthy cooking methods
    • Step-by-step guidance on managing fasting glucose and risk factors
    • Blood glucose explanation sessions (pre-diabetes awareness)
    • Peer support and behaviour change encouragement especially physical activity

Attendance: 87% completed 2+ sessions

Outcomes & Impact

Quantitative Results

Metric

Follow-up

Change

Fasting Blood Sugar

105 mg/dL

↓7 mg/dL

BMI

29.6

↓0.6

Diabetes Knowledge

High

↑40%

Physical Activity

2 hrs/week

↑1 hr/week

Diet Quality

Improved

↑45%

QALYs Gained: 3.0

This reflects meaningful improvements in metabolic health and lifestyle risk reduction.

Qualitative Feedback

  • “I didn’t understand what my sugar levels meant. Now I know exactly what to do.”
    • “This programme helped me change my diet and feel more energetic.”
    • “I’ve started walking every day and my readings are already better.”

Case Study — “Imran” (Diabetes Awareness Programme)

“Diabetes runs in my family but I didn’t care much about it. After the workshop, I understand my sugar levels and what food affects me. I’ve started walking every day and my readings are better already.”

Lessons Learned

Successes:

  • Culturally relevant examples improved understanding
    • Participants took immediate action to reduce sugar intake
    • Strong peer encouragement helped sustain behaviour change

Challenges:

  • Some participants lacked home glucose monitoring devices
    • Cultural diet norms sometimes made behaviour change difficult

Recommendations:

  • Provide low-cost glucose monitor access
    • Develop recipes tailored to African, Caribbean, and South Asian cuisines
    • Create WhatsApp accountability groups to maintain motivation
    • Partner with GP practices to offer follow-up HbA1c tests

Alignment With Council Goals

  • Supports diabetes prevention among high-risk ethnic groups
    • Encourages healthier lifestyle choices and early detection
    • Reduces health inequalities
    • Enhances community capacity to self-manage long-term conditions
    • Strengthens preventative health and wellbeing pathways

Sign-Off

Prepared by: QALYCOM HEALTH CIC
Date: November 2025

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