Program, Services & Events

Type 1 diabetes services

We provide a range of programs and services designed specifically to support people with type 1 diabetes. We want to help improve your knowledge and management of your condition and to reduce the impact of living with type 1 diabetes.

DA – Vic has a Type 1 Diabetes Program Team which consists of seven staff. The Team plans and organises events, develops new resources, and provides non-clinical information and support to people with type 1 diabetes and their families. The program is supported by the Health and Education Services Team who provide clinical advice and information.

If you have type 1 diabetes and would like further information about the Type 1 Diabetes Program, you can contact a member of the team by calling 1300 136 588.

Type 1 diabetes specific services

Advocacy
Type 1 diabetes e-newsletter - The Typist
DAFNE
Carbohydrate counting for insulin pump users
Diabetes Camps Victoria
Education, information and support
Information sessions
AcT1vate
Kellion medal
Pregnancy information
Research
Resources
Support groups

Advocacy

Our Advocacy service supports you in addressing issues of concern such as discrimination and access to services and support.

Type 1 diabetes e-newsletter - The Typist

If you have type 1 diabetes then you may be interested in our free monthly e-Newsletter, The Typist, produced by the team in the Type 1 Diabetes Program. The newsletter is full of the latest type 1 diabetes research, events and updates on news in the type 1 diabetes world.

If you have type 1 diabetes and would like to receive a free copy, please click here.

DAFNE

Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) is a five day course for people with type 1 diabetes, which aims to give you control of your diabetes by learning to carbohydrate count and adjust your own insulin doses.

Carbohydrate counting for insulin pump users

This is a new hands-on half-day workshop delivered by our experienced dietitians and is for people:

with type 1 diabetes aged 18 years and over, and
currently using an insulin pump or will be starting on a pump within 6 months.

Please note; this workshop does not cover the operations and features of various pumps.

For more details and registration, click here.

Diabetes Camps Victoria

Diabetes Camps Victoria provide recreation camps for children aged 4 to 17 years.

Education, Information and Support

Credentialled diabetes educators are available from 9am to 4pm (Monday to Friday) to answer your questions concerning your diabetes management via phone, email or in person.

The Type 1 Diabetes Program Team provide information about services, resources and events, and offer support to people living with type 1 diabetes and their families.

Information sessions

Sessions throughout the year cover a wide range of topics relevant to people with type 1 diabetes. They are held in metropolitan and regional areas. Annual events include:

Type 1 in the City (formerly Six in the City) – a series of six city-based events held in the evening
Type 1 Out of Town – a series of regional events held throughout the year
Diabetes Plus – an all day seminar held in association with World Diabetes Day

Insulin pumps are an increasingly popular insulin delivery method for people with type 1 diabetes. An information booklet is available for people considering pump therapy and information sessions are held throughout the year. Information is available through the Health and Education Services and Type 1 Program staff.

AcT1vate

Run in conjunction with HypoActive, this interactive weekend workshop for adults focuses on diabetes and exercise. AcT1vate was held for the first time in 2010 and we will be repeating the weekend in 2011.

Read about three AcT1vate participants experience from the pilot program here:

Jennifer Gracie (PDF 28KB)
Craig Sharpe (PDF 15KB)
Robert Carpino (PDF 3KB)

Kellion Medal

Every year, we award the Kellion Victory Medal to Victorians who have lived with diabetes for more than 50, 60, 70 and 75 years. More than 1000 Australians have received Kellion Victory Medals to date. Health professionals, families and support groups can nominate recipients.

Pregnancy Information

Information sessions are conducted regularly for women with type 1 diabetes considering pregnancy. The "Can I Have a Healthy Baby?" booklet addresses pre-conception recommendations and pregnancy information for women with type 1 diabetes and is available in our shop.

Research

Every year we contribute to the Diabetes Australia Research Trust (DART). Since being established in 1987, DART has provided over $15 million to Australian diabetes researchers.

Resources

We have several publications specifically about type 1 diabetes. These include:

Information sheets for carers (What is type 1?, Hypoglycaemia, Physical activity)
Booklets (including Pump Information and "Can I Have a Healthy Baby?")
Eating disorders and diabetes information resource (245KB PDF)
High and Low (450KB PDF): type 1 diabetes, the things you need to know
Insulin pump information booklet (990KB PDF) "I'm considering an insulin pump - information for people with type 1 diabetes"
Type 1 Essentials (226KB PDF): common questions made easy. A pocket-sized, fold-out information card for adults with type 1 diabetes to distribute to their friends, family and colleagues.
Regular complications screening is recommended to assist with early detection and prompt treatment of complications. Our Complications screening checklist (1MB PDF) can be used as a tool to help keep your complications screening up-to-date. Speak with your diabetes health care team for further information.