"Let them eat cake!"

The lounge was full of residents, visitors and staff when the true or false statement “I have diabetes so I can’t eat cake!” was read out by Helen Stephen, Co-founder and Training and Education Lead from DUET diabetes Ltd. Is it true...or is it false? Lots of murmuring and answers were called out.

Diabetes Week is the annual awareness raising week spearheaded by the charity Diabetes UK; this year 11-17 June 2017. Earlier in the year a diabetes training company based near Haverhill (Suffolk) offered their services free of charge to help a local care provider to run a diabetes related event to raise awareness. Two care homes jumped at the chance and so DUET diabetes worked with Bethesda Eventide Homes in Ipswich and Gracewell at Kentford near Newmarket to plan informative, interactive and interesting events.

In both homes, the "Let them eat cake!" session run by Helen saw residents, visitors and staff alike getting involved and having fun. The kitchen staff provided some let them eat cakedelicious diabetes friendly snacks to go with the morning tea and coffee. Visitors and staff also came along for a chat throughout the "diabetes drop in" afternoon to learn more and find out their risk of developing type 2 diabetes (using an online tool on the Diabetes UK website).

At Bethesda Eventide Homes Helen, the Training and Education Lead for DUET diabetes, even had the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the ducklings which have been hatched and reared by the home; to the delight of the residents. Lynne Reedman (Co-founder and Service Lead) commented: "We had two fabulous days surrounded by happy and friendly people who were keen to understand more about this increasingly prevalent disease and in particular the part food plays."

DUET diabetes provides training and education to the care sector (care homes and domiciliary care) throughout East Anglia. The team are dedicated to delivering understanding, education and training to empower nurses and carers; enabling them to make a positive difference to those living with diabetes.

For more information regarding the three organisations involved in these diabetes awareness days contact:

www.duetdiabetes.co.uk 01799 584178

www.bethesdaeventidehomes.co.uk 01473 211431

www.gracewell.co.uk/care-homes/gracewell-of-kentford/overview 01638 555090