Events coming up in 2010
Here's what's happening in the next few months ... please come along and join us! Newcomers especially welcome, it would be great to meet you!
Sunday 16th May: Staying Positive Workshops
We're running three workshops for our 12-17 age group who have Type 1 diabetes. The idea is to provide support and information about living with diabetes, for example coping at school, away from home and with friends. Our workshops will be informal, creative, interactive and fun, and there will be Magic, Origami, Nintendo Wii and Drama workshops on offer! The third and final workshop is on Sunday 16th May from 12-4pm at Courtlands Hotel, 15-17 The Drive, Hove.
Email us if you would like further information or you think you might like to come along, and have a look at the staying positive programme.
General Meetings
Come and join our lively evening meetings, where we'll be exchanging information, discussing topical issues, and meeting friends old and new.
All will take place at the New Madeira Hotel, 19-23 Marine Parade, Brighton. Please arrive at 7.15 for a 7.30 start. Refreshments - tea, coffeee, biscuits - are on the house!
Tuesday 11th May Drs Moira Harrison and Wendy MacFarlane from the University of Brighton Diabetes Research Group will be talking about Islet Cell Research. Feel free to ask questions and raise your concerns about this poineering area of research.
Tuesday 13th July Jo Matthews, Commissioner for long term conditions, NHS Brighton and Hove, is the person who is responsible for care of people living with diabetes in our area. It will be a great opportunity to ask what is planned for the future with regard to facilities, treatment, and developments.
Tuesday 14th September Jackie Fosbury, our local Diabetes Psychotherapist, will be talking about psychological support for people living with diabetes, especally relevant to those newly diagnosed or those struggling to manage. How can psychotherapy help? What is it? How long do you have to wait for appointments? Who can benefit?
Wednesday 12th May: Take a walk in the spring sunshine!
A group of us will be meeting up at Tongdean Lane bus stop (London Road) at 2.30 for a walk of about 1.5 miles through Withdean Park and the beautiful National Lilac collection. Time for tea? Of course! We'll be finishing at the Withdean Sportsman in Tongdean Lane for refreshments. Fancy joining us? Contact us to let us know you're coming. Or just turn up!
Sunday 13th June: Walk The Extra Mile
Come with us and 'Walk The Extra Mile' either as a fun exercise or to raise funds for Diabetes UK. Register at Preston Park Brighton from 1pm. Robin Cousins MBE who has lived in Brighton for some time and is a personal friend of one of our members, will be adding a bit of glamour to our event, and he'll be starting the walk at 2pm. For more details contact us.
Tuesday 14th December: Christmas Party
Details tbc, but prepare yourself for an evening of song, good food and lively entertainment!
And, for the record, this is what we've done in the past ...
Events in 2010 ...
The Masons - the History, the Rituals, and the Handshakes! Thanks to Reg Barrow, Curator and Librarian of Brighton's Masonic Lodge, who gave us a fascinating insight into the little known world of Masonry on Tuesday 16th February. Click here to find out about the 'All Seeing Eye' (pictured above) and our intriguing morning's tour.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you - Volunteer Showcase Magician Matt Parro wowed our team of dedicated volunteers with his amazing slight-of-hand magic tricks as we came together for a celebratory evening on Sunday 31st January. Read more here.
Events in 2009 ...
War in the Woods - Paintballing! Modern Warfare became reality when our brave warriors were Called for Duty to Henfield Jungle on Sunday 13th December. Read more about the battles and join us for the ReMatch!
Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas (Party) Members and newcomers came together for a festive evening of carols, a quiz and great food on Tuesday 8th December. Just right to get us into the Christmas spirit! Click here to read more.
What do to if your Child is Sick - Parents' Information Evening Parents got together with Paediatric nurse Caroline Spence to talk informally about managing children's hypos and other health issues on Monday 23 November in Hassocks. Parent Sandra said, ‘It refreshed our knowledge about hypos and made us feel more confident about it all.' More sessions like this are being planned for the future, so please keep checking our website.
Aaron Strikes it Lucky - Bowling Extravaganza There were strikes and spares a-plenty at our Bowling event which marked World Diabetes Day on Sunday 15th November. Read more about our fun event.
Creepy Crawly Halloween Party Some of the farm animals appeared quite startled to see a troupe of witches and vampires gather together at Spring Barn Farm as our Halloween Party on Friday 30th October got into full swing. Click here to read more.
Parents and Children Coffee Morning chez Lisa and Keeva It was great to welcome children and parents at our Get together on Friday 16th October. Read more here and see the cakes!
Orbing for Diabetes - How much BOUNCE have you got?! So, diabetes shouldn't stop you doing what you want, right? Even if that includes climbing into a giant inflatable ball and getting pushed unceremoniously down a hill on what would have otherwise been a quiet Sunday afternoon ... Click here for more photos and a video of our orbing event on 23rd August.
Fundraising Piano Recital The ivories were well and truly tickled at a fundraising concert in aid of the local group on Saturday 25 April. Read more about Dave Fischer and his marvellous music.
Care for a Cuppa Tea Parties With a theme of tea, coffee, healthier cakes - including ones made with parsnips and courgettes! - and socialising, our two parties in March and May flew by. Find out more.
Diabetes UK 75th Anniversary Celebration Diabetes UK started life in 1934 and the national charity have been staging a variety of national events to commemorate this achievement. Ours took place on Saturday 28th March. Read more about our celebration here.
University of Brighton - Living with Diabetes Event On Monday 12th January five people from our group formed an open discussion panel to raise awareness of the issues faced by people living with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Find out what they discussed.
Events in 2008 ...
World Diabetes Day To mark the occasion on Friday 14th November, 40 people from the Brighton group formed a human-chain around one of the gardens at Brighton’s infamous Royal Pavillion, linking country flags from around the world between one another. Click here to see what we got up to.
Fright Night Sceance Diabetes UK hosted a ‘Fright Night’ séance on Saturday 31st October at Brighton’s renowned Preston Manor, a Victorian manor house said to be haunted by the ghosts of past residents and servants. Read more about the errie goings on.
Wii-mbledon 2008 Wimbledon 2008 may have belonged to Rafael Nadal and Venus Williams, but the Brits came up trumps with 14 year-old Laura Robson in the girls' tournament. Find out what happened at our Wii-mbledon event on Sunday 13th/ 20th July.
Walk in the Park Preston Park was once again adorned with all things magenta including banners, balloons and even a tablecloth as people walked to raise awareness for diabetes and money for Diabetes UK on Sunday 15th June. Click here to find out more.
Trip to Arundel Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust A group of eight members enjoyed a trip out to Arundel Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust on Tuesday 15th April. Enhanced by fantastic weather the surroundings were ideal for relaxing and looking out for water voles and different species of wildfowl. Read more about it here.
Richard Lane OBE Talk at the New Madeira Hotel On Tuesday 13th March the Brighton Voluntary Group presented a talk held at The New Madeira Hotel by a man who was fortunate enough to become the very first 'insulin independent' Type 1 diabetic. Hear what he had to say.
Indoor Rock Climbing Trip The last place you'd want to be on a cold day in February is stuck half-way up a forty foot wall, knowing that even when you get to the top you have to take the plunge and fall down? Not for some! Read more about our climbing adventures on Sunday 24th February.
Churchill Square 'Measure Up' Awareness Campaign Thanks to all who came along to help our Diabetes UK's Measure Up Campaign on Tuesday 8th January to raise awareness of the need for retinal screening. Click here to find out more.
Events back in 2007 ...
Brighton Chamber Choir Charity Concert - Saturday 17th November
World Diabetes Day 2007 - Wednesday 14th November
Global Walk Launch & Brighton & Hove Albion FC - Saturday 22nd September
Young Adults' Chessington Trip - Saturday 1st September
Skydive for Diabetes - Saturday 25th August
Brighton Pride 2007 - Saturday 4th August
Meeting Three - Tuesday 10th July
Diabetes Week 2007 - Saturday 9th - Friday 15th June
Diabetes UK Brighton Walk in the Park - Sunday 20th May
CSV Internet & E-Mail Training - Wednesday 9th May
Meeting Two - Tuesday 1st May
Launch Meeting - Thursday 22nd March