Live Well
Diabetes support groups in Western Australia
A diabetes support group is a group of people with diabetes, who regularly get together to share information, experiences and knowledge. Some groups provide online support.
Group members support each other and work together to improve each other’s quality of life.
In most instances, the support groups are led by individuals living with diabetes rather than diabetes educators or other health professionals. Being part of a support group and receiving advice is complementary to professional care.
Type 1 diabetes support groups
The Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre in Stirling connects, supports and inspires people of all ages with type 1 diabetes and the people who care about them. It offers information workshops, education programs, online communities, schools and babysitter education, camps, advocacy and a dynamic calendar of social and community events. Find out more here (external link).
| Area | Group | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Online | myD Group – Young adults with type 1 Specific Facebook page for young people with type 1 diabetes. | Visit myD (External link) |
| Online | WAIT (Western Australian Insulin Takers) 30+ year olds, but all are welcome. Online support on Facebook. Meet up socially, also hold occasional events. | Julie-Anne Watson Phone: 0439 288 879 |
| Perth | Type 1 Diabetes Collective For adults living with type 1 diabetes who are passionate about advocating for change and empowering others living with diabetes. | Email: [email protected] Phone: 6110 0570 Website: www.pdchealthhub.com.au |
| Online | Type 1 Family Centre Parents Closed Facebook support group for parents or primary carers of young people with type 1 diabetes. | Visit the Facebook group (external link). |
| Online | Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy – Bump, Baby and Beyond (Australian women) Closed Facebook support group for Australian women living with type 1 diabetes and pregnancy. | Jessica Ward (Perth contact) Email: [email protected] |
| Online | WA Parents and Carers of T1 Children Social Events Closed Facebook support group for carers and children with type 1 diabetes. Meets up socially and holds occasional events. | Jaclyn Workman |
| Online | Type 1 Family Centre Adults Closed Facebook support group for adults with type 1 diabetes. | Visit the Facebook group (external link). |
| Online | JDRF Peer Support Program JDRF’s Peer Support Program is a volunteer network that connects people who have been affected by T1D. | Register on the JDRF website (external link). |
Type 2 diabetes support groups
| Area | Group | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Online | DESMOND Diabetes Support Group Closed Facebook support group for people in WA living with type 2 diabetes who have attended a DESMOND workshop. | Visit the Facebook group (external link). |
Mixed support groups: type 1 and type 2 diabetes
| Area | Group | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgetown | Diabetes Support Group Meetings at 10am on the first Tuesday of the month at the Old Convent. | Joyce Ingram Phone: 9761 4208 |
| Rockingham | Diabetes Support Group Meetings at 10am on the second Friday of each month at a local Rockingham cafe. Contact June Streeter for venue details. | June Streeter Phone: 9527 3850 Email: [email protected] |
| Yanchep and Two Rocks area | Diabetes Support Group Meetings at 10am on the third Wednesday of the month. | June Sims Phone: 9561 1174 Email: [email protected] |
| Donnybrook | Donnybrook Diabetes Support Group Meets at the Donnybrook Community Resource Centre | Jacinta Sparrow Email: [email protected] |
Special support groups
| Area | Group | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Nedlands | Support group for people with Peripheral Neuropathy Meets on the second Monday of the month at the Niche in Nedlands (Passmore Room) | Phone Mr Ron Gascoigne (Chairman) and Mrs Barbara Morris (Secretary) on 0459 972 246 or email [email protected] for further information and next meeting date. The phone is not manned continuously so please text or leave a message. Membership: $10 per year |
| Online | Connect with other people living with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) online. | Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Connect with People Like Me – AHA | ASA Support Network (heart.org) |
Physical Activity groups
| Area | Group | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Cannington | Active Measures | Visit website |
| Online | Live Life Get Active | Visit website |
| City of Perth | Health and wellbeing activities around Perth | Visit website |
| Perth metro area | Prime Movers | Visit website |
| All of Western Australia | Stay on your feet | Visit website |
| Perth | Walking Groups in Perth | Visit website |
For more information on each support group, we encourage you to contact the support group leader.
Starting a support group
To register your support group, or your interest in starting a support group, please email the Diabetes WA community relations team or call us on 1300 001 880.
We can provide you with resources to help you start a group and promote your contact details to other interested parties.
Support group resources
Support Groups Association WA Inc is the peak body for self help and support groups in WA.
Your Diabetes Hub is an archive of blog posts, articles and information deriving from a website called Diabetes Counselling Online which is not active anymore but the articles are still accessible.