Diabetes Mentoring

[redrevis]

Hi guys,

I'm currently looking for work and I came across volunteering opportunities. Then one caught my eye as a Diabetes Mentor. The spiel went like this:

Are you able to be part of an NHS pilot project in community mentoring?
This project is looking for six volunteers (or people who would like to become a volunteer) who have diabetes themselves and who know what it is like to try and manage the condition, who could spare a few hours to help a fellow diabetic.

I thought I might as well apply as it's always good if you can help out a fellow diabetic in need and having so much spare time on my hands at the moment, it just seemed silly not to.

It doesn't specify what type of diabetic they are wanting, so it could be they are wanting type 2's for example, so maybe I wouldn't be considered, but I sent my application anyway.

Does anyone else do anything like this?

 

[Emmaathome]

What a fantastic idea - I would have appreciated someone to ask my silly questions when first dx (and now on an ongoing basis)

Well done on volunteering - its not something I've heard of in our area, but does seem a good idea!! 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sounds very interesting. Whereabouts is the pilot running?

 

[redrevis]

This particular one is in my hometown of Chesterfield in Derbyshire.
The site I found it through was www.do-it.org.uk

If you want to see if there is something similar near where you live, just go here http://www.do-it.org.uk/search/opportunities and then fill in the 'Advanced Search' box then putting in 'diabetes' in the 'And/Or' Keywords box.

 

[redrevis]

I got a phone call about my application and had to go to the local Volunteer Centre to fill in a further application and be CRB checked. As it turns out the NHS team hasn't provided any information to state which type of diabetic they are wanting, so they assume that any diabetic is fine.

They have only had 1 other applicant other than myself, but the project may start before they recruit 6 people. It all sounds like it's a bit up in the air at the moment, as very minimal information has been provided to the centre by the NHS team that's running it. I'll keep you guys updated on how it goes. 🙂

 

[HOBIE]

Good on you Red ! 😎

 

[Medusa]

i like the sound of this... hope you get accepted and do keep us posted.....

 

[trophywench]

Intriguing. what ever do they have in mind?

Imaginary scenario 1 - eg Tina63's son. Now - you might actually be able to make a difference there, who knows? cos you are young and a bloke and might conceivably have some thing(s) in common? (But he probably wouldn't sign up for your service in the first place, sadly.)

Scenario 2 - elderly T2 with bad feet - I just know at your age and knowing what I know now, I'd be saying Test, Review, Adjust and wanting them to ignore - or at least query - 'Carbs with everything' type advice - so would I get the sack ? LOL

The only time anyone asked me to do this, it was a teenage girl, stepdaughter of a biking friend. I had it sort of dumped on me so I didn't have chance to consider it before I opened my gob. So I said she'd ask me to have a word, and I didn't know what she expected of me, because I certainly wasn't going to read her the riot act, it's bad enough having D in the first place without people shouting at you.

I said, I'm just gonna tell you about someone we know quite well ('M' - own step-daughter's best friend) who went off the rails in her teens/early 20's and a) kidney failure - her mum donated a kidney and I was very cruel and said 'you wouldn't have that luxury to help you of course, would you?' (because her dad was a widower) .... then b) registered blind through retinopathy despite millions of lasers, victrectomies, injections in her eyes and c) finally was told never to conceive because her body wouldn't support a pregnancy and she'd kill herself. Unlikely she ever would conceive anyway. I added, TG for M and people like her - because seeing what's she's brought on her own head, certainly keeps me on the straight and narrow far better than any amount of being criticised ever could.

It was that last bit, about not being able to have babies, which evidently made the difference to the girl's attitude. We were all quite gobsmacked about that - because nobody in the family knew at age 14/15, she'd even be considering that far ahead.

 

[redrevis]

Well from the advert:

What would you be required to do?
Mentor a patient with diabetes and support them to understand the condition.

What Outcomes is the pilot project trying to achieve?
Improved quality of life for patients with diabetes
Improve overall health and well-being
Improve their diet and understanding around how different food affects their blood sugars
Maintain and help to control blood pressure
Help to address weight issues

And from the chat I had with the people at the volunteer centre, it just seems like they want to 'buddy' people up so they have someone to chat to who's going through the same thing they are and who could maybe offer some constructive advice.

I know what you mean though, I think the success would highly depend on the way people were matched together. And like you say, people who take part in this scheme must be wanting to try and help themselves as they wouldn't have signed up for it in the first place.

Will just have to see I suppose.