A group dedicated to helping people in west Dorset affected by diabetes is looking for volunteers to help it carry on its vital work.

Panels of experts, informing the public about diabetes at local agricultural shows and reaching out to members of the community with diabetes – all feature on the packed annual programme of activities organised by the West Dorset Diabetes UK local group.

But Shona and Tim Freeborn, who have run the group as chairman and secretary respectively for the past seven years, are stepping down. They are now hoping to find replacements for their roles who will help lead the group to further successes in educating people about diabetes.

In the time that the couple have been steering the Diabetes UK West Dorset Group, there have been some remarkable successes. At this year’s Dorset County Show, they met 900 members of the public over two days. The group also took part in Diabetes UK’s campaign for better access to flash glucose monitoring in Dorset last year. Weeks later, the NHS announced an end to the postcode lottery for the device across the country.

There are now around 600 members of the group, with 30 to 40 regularly attending five meetings a year.

Shona said: “I’ll be sad to give up the group meetings in particular, as I have seen people get so much out of them. They have access to experts like diabetologists, podiatrists and dietitians whom they rarely have an opportunity to see otherwise. They learn so much about their diabetes as a result. But now is the time to pass the reins to new hands who will continue to ensure that people in West Dorset have the best possible diabetes education and support.”

Phaedra Perry, Diabetes UK South West regional head, said: “We are so sorry to see Shona and Tim Freeborn go. They have been such fantastic supporters of Diabetes UK in west Dorset, even attending clinical commissioning group meetings in order to improve care for local people with diabetes. But we want this local group to go from strength to strength and really hope that new volunteers will come forward. We will give them all the support they need to carry on Shona and Tim’s great work.”

To find out more and join the committee, contact Shona on westdorsetgroup@gmail.com or 01305 835870.